Sweet Life: Adventures On The Way To Paradise

by Barry Manilow, Maureen Lasher (Editor)

Filled with anecdotes about his tours and the behind-the-scenes realities of the music business, this autobiography reveals the musician's personal life and musical career, from his Brooklyn youth through his performance at Radio City Music Hall

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music, Biography Memoir, Memoir

274 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1987

About the author

American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer and conductor best known for his songs Mandy and Copacabana.

Reviews

[Mediaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to review this book almost 40 years after it was written, because knowing now that Manilow married one of the men barely mentioned in the book puts a very different spin on things. He obviously was hiding a large chunk of his gay life and spinning falsehoods in order to cover it up. So what can we believe?

At the time it probably seemed a very well-written revelation of his life and how some of the songs were created. The big problem is that the book is incredibly incomplete. He goes into depth on a few songs, but other major hits are completely ignored (my favorite "Weekend in New England" isn't even mentioned in the book!). He says pretty much nothing about his relationship with certain people (Melissa Manchester and his "business advisor" that is now his husband), and drops one major character (Linda, his longtime live-in girlfriend) in the middle of the book completely without saying what happened! By the way, Linda stops getting mentioned about the same time his now-husband is mentioned as saving Manilow's career from a crooked business manager.

There are a few details about his early marriage, his raging ego, and his insecurities. He lavishes praise on almost everyone around him and acts as if he is constantly shocked by his success. That gets kind of hard to believe after his third #1 song or his mansions. There are a few digs at Bette Midler, but always balanced with saying how she was the greatest performer he worked with. And he doesn't shy away from discussing the gay bath houses he performed in, even admitting to dropping his towel and getting in the pool nude with the other men but stated in a way that makes sure you know he's "conservative" and a "prude" who was there with a woman.

He goes a little overboard trying to over-dramatize his feelings at how much people love him or how successful he is. It's hard to swallow that this songwriter complains when his biggest hits are written by others--he repeatedly says he would prefer to only put out his own songs. He also casually mentions drug usage throughout the book, which is a disappointment--this guy had some major psychological issues that he couldn't figure out where they came from, yet he had no problem with smoking pot or getting addicted to prescription drugs?

The book is worth reading but as an historical piece that leaves much of his life out and one that fails to deal with the man he was to become. Read in 2016 and 2024.

[Luxie Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this! I like his humorous writing style and loved finding out all about his youth.

This guy deserves every bit of the fame he has. Whether you like his music or not (I love it - especially the track the book is named after), anyone who reads this book will never again disagree that he's a talented, hard working artist.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Life is a safe biography that just tells enough of Barry's life story to be interesting but it's not very telling. Certain events are merely glossed over which makes sense given what we now know about Barry so it makes sense. There were things he couldn't reveal in the book so it comes off as something he wrote just to give fans something to read while not being explosively revealing. He keeps it all simple and talks about his career and key events that shaped it. The book is good, but you feel as if he's merely giving his fans what he thinks they want and that's not a bad thing. There's some interesting moments here but let's face it, it's Barry Manilow so you don't really go into this thinking he's going to talk about a drug addiction or anything that would make his fans think any less of him.
By keeping it simple he's given his fans something that feels relateable, and you can't help but like the guy. It's Barry after all and you can't really imagine the guy being a violent guy that beats his husband, or spends his days shooting heroin. He's able to keep the fact that he's gay hidden by beriefly talking about his first marriage and other relationships but we all kind of knew he wasn't straight anyway so it's not a shoker to know that was in a relationship with a man while he was writing this book. Sweet Life doesn't contain any dirt and keeps things pretty simple which isn't really a bad thing.

[Lance Lumley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I have read several times in the past and still enjoy. I have not only the hardback version, but the paperback, which I found both at a library book sale years ago.
The book takes the reader through Manilow' s early years of his life living in New York trying to become an arranger in music. When he meets Bette Midler (after having a song recorded thanks to Tony Orlando), his career starts to soar, including a record deal.
The book is short overall, and takes the reader through his career up to the 2 Am Paradise Cafe album, and reveals the struggles of being Barry Manilow the person and Barry the star. A sequel would be wonderful, since Manilow's resurgence in his career in the 2000s with his "Greatest Hits of" various decades. Besides that, this book is as enjoyable as it was the first time I read it.
For a in depth review, visit my page at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...

[Lisa Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it as a teen, at the height of my Barry Manilow adoration. Loved it so much, I read it twice. That's why I give 5 stars--it is written well, the story flows, we get an inside look at his childhood to adulthood, his becoming of who he is now, the process behind his art, the raw difficulties along the way...But looking back now, in 2022, it's also disappointing. He was so open in the book about his female relationships and loves. Knowing that he's married to Garry and they were together since the 80's--of which there is no mention--this book no longer feels authentic. I wish I felt differently. I guess that fact doesn't negate the experiences he shared, but it makes me question what to trust within the pages.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Barry Manilow and really enjoyed this biography, which was published in 1987. His passion for music, his amazing work ethic and his fabulous sense of humour shine through. It is interesting to read about his relationships with women, as this was written long before Manilow came out, although his husband Garry Kief, features as a wise and valued support from the 1970's onwards. This is a great read for fans like me.

[David Hibberd · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book. It provides insights into the many struggles of Barry Manilow. His desire to have the security of a nine-to-five job with a regular paycheck battled his need to pursue his love of music. He talks about his fears of performing especially when he became a solo artist. His descriptions of his concert at Blenheim Palace in the UK along with the many memories it invoked brings those emotions to the reader. This was an enjoyable read.

[LOVEROFBOOKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Barry is an excellent writer and I did not want to put this book down so I finished it in one night. He allowed us into the painful episodes in his life along with the happy ones. I only wish there were more photos but there were two separate sections with photos of him from when he was a little boy and also a teen and a grown man. I just wanted more, but that's just me!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was echoed in other reviews, but knowing what we know now, this book is really incomplete. It would be nice for someone to write an authorized bio, or for him to write a sequel or something. Still, it was interesting to see how he kind of accidentally became famous!

[Paivi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading to all Barry fans. Inspiring and funny.

[Stephen Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! So funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kathy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Interesting how he came from such poor beginnings, was broke twice in his life, didn't pay attention to what he was earning and spending.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this 1987 book in one day. Interesting look at his early life through mid-80’s. Found this used book and just read it on a whim.

[Mollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inaccurate. While I enjoyed reading about his music and performance, I did not enjoy the kiss and tell stuff.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was written in the 80s, so it covers his earlier life, but it is well written- whether you are a fan or just like reading memoirs of musicians, you will like this book.

[Bernie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read but not the whole story - doesn't tell you things he rather you didn't know. Outstanding talent - great song writer.

[Dmnelson225gmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. It made me feel, think, laugh, weep, smile and I learned a great deal about his early life. I learned how he was a "misfit" like me in school. His writing style was easy to read just as his music and voice are easy on the mind, heart, and soul. Sweet Life: Adventures On The Way To Paradise I read it originally when it was first published and read it as a "fan" now I read it with different "eyes". This time I read it with a clearer picture of life and living. It taught me that we must never give up and always believe that we are who we set out to be and if we are not where we want to be in life then there really is no one but ourselves to blame.

It showed the struggles and fears of a man who only wants to be a man and not an IMAGE but some one with feelings, who hurts, who bleeds, who gets angry and has fears and inhibitions just like the rest of the world. It showed the human side of a very talented entertainer.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, easy read. I enjoyed reading about Manilow's youth , how he got his start in music, and his huge passion for making music. He also has quite the sense of humor! However, there were some personal details/stories that seemed incomplete (what exactly happened with Linda?? And wanted to know more about Jeanne, about how the new manager saved his career, etc). But this was written in 1987 and given what I know now about his personal life (from reading/the news), perhaps he wasn't comfortable going into more detail. Fair enough. I was also hoping for more commentary on some of his songs (we get info on "Mandy" and "Could It Be Magic"). Overall though, it was an interesting read and a fun used bookstore find.

[Shelly Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe you need to be a fanilow to love this book, that is unless you want to read about Barry Manilow. It is a heart felt written book. I enjoyed it as I read it the year it came out. I had two copies, lost one in a fire, and the other to a rain storm in Florida. I miss them to. It is basically reading about how he grew up. Lets us know many personal things about his life. Some of the things that he went through as a child, I think allot of us can relate to. It was written in a way for us to understand him better and where he comes from. I am glad he finally decided to do this book and the sequel to it.

[Paul White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book having read an autobiography recently. Would have enjoyed it more had he gone into more detail about the how and why rather than what he felt and thought. That being said I loved the chapter on his Blenheim Palace concert. It captured the atmosphere and that's what you want in a read.

I did wonder by the end as to the purpose of the book and whether it was a release for Mr Manilow or an explanation of why some things happened the way they did.

If you like his music and are interested in the singer then it's worth the read, and definitely worth reading to experience how the music scene used to be before we had cell phones and streaming music.

[Diane May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you're not a fan of Barry Manilow, this is a heartwarming, inspirational autobiography. It's an easy read...as if he's in the room talking to you... A "rags to riches" story that will inspire you. I loved it!

[Galen Bohn]

I really liked the book. It was great to see how Berry grew up. It was also great to see how he helped people along the way. it's also great to see how he overcame his fear of singing. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for Barry fans!

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

People overlook both his personal struggle to "make it" and the incredible quality of much of Barry's music.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Barry Manilow, one of my favorite artists, that I didn't know. Anyone who is a fan should read it.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew just about all of it from reading the new bio on him.

[Gayle Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great insight into one of my favorite singers. Great.

[Nehad]

Barry Manilow

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love my Barry and I enjoyed getting a glimpse into his life

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like a voyeur peeking into his life. It was interesting. Gave insights into the price/trials of fame. I remember his songs affectionately.