The Autograph Hunter: A story of love, secrets and superstars

by Adam Andrusier

" I'd managed to puncture a hole between our universe and the parallel one where all the celebrities lived."'Effortlessly funny and human' Daily MailAdam Andrusier spent his childhood in pursuit of autographs. After writing to every famous person he could think of, from Frank Sinatra to Colonel Gaddafi, he soon jostled with the paparazzi at stage doors and came face-to-face with the most famous people on the planet.For young Adam, autographs were a backstage pass to a world beyond his chaotic family home in Pinner, and his Holocaust-obsessed father. They provided a special connection to a world of glamour and significance lying just beyond his reach.But as Adam turned from collector to dealer, learning how to spot a fake from the real deal, he discovered that in life, as in autographs, not everything is as it first appears. When your obsession is a search for the authentic, what happens when you discover fraudulence in your own family?The Autograph Hunter is a hilarious and moving account of discovering that idols are mortals. It's a story of growing up, forgiveness and discovering a place in the world.'I love this book. It is wise, funny, surprising, touching, and wonderful company.'JONATHAN SAFRAN FOERThis book was previously titled Two Hitlers and a Marilyn .

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2021

Reviews

[sunrise, sunset · Rating 5 out of 5]

Çok keyifliydi. Enteresan bir denk gelişle, Gazze'nin Dipnotları ile bir arada okudum bir kısmını. Birinde, her şeye rağmen, İsrail'i elleriyle inşa eden "iyi Yahudileri" okurken diğerinde de o topraklardan kovulan, sürekli öldürülen "iyi Filistinlileri" gördüğüm etkileyici bir çapraz okuma oldu. Tavsiye ederim.

[Jer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam has written a beautiful, honest, and humorous book about the drama of growing up, his complex relationship with his father, and his work as an autograph dealer.

Each chapter is built around a hunt for a celebrity's autograph and as such the book is a commentary on the nature of celebrity and fame. Adam writes with a sharp, irreverent, and dead-pan sense of humour. His writing offers razor-sharp insights into the absurdity of human behaviour and of family relationships.

Whilst reading this book, I was so eager to know the outcome of Adam’s strained relationship with his father that it became an irresistible page-turner. A brilliant and (very) funny read that I devoured in a few days. Cannot wait to read more from this insightful writer.

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam's father was/is an eccentric and obsessive collector whose enthusiasms shaped and controlled his family life. Adam begins autograph hunting as a child when he discovers that Ronnie Barker has moved into a house near his friend, and writes to him for his autograph. Each chapter focuses on a different star and the search for their autograph which is often light relief in relation to the increasing emotional manipulation going on in Adam's family. This is bittersweet, clever and funny and the funny moments only serve to illuminate some of the tragedy at the heart of this family dynamic.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in London for work and wandered into a bookshop and came across this book while browsing. I'm a bit of a collector of things myself, so a story about a lifetime of pursuing celebrity autographs seemed fun. The book is equal parts memoir and autograph collecting stories, and the combination is both funny and heart-warming. Very well told and a satisfying read.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A meandering but very comfortably told story.

[Lisa Trup · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed to be more about Adrian Andrusier than Adam, and he appears to be quite a character!

[Ann Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming book - much better than I thought - sometimes funny, sometimes sad - really enjoyed it

[Catherine Hurley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable.