Robin

By: Dave Itzkof

5/5 Genies

Robin Williams was an integral person to my childhood. Aladdin has been my favorite movie for a long time, largely due to the comic relief of the genie. Along with that, Mrs. Doubtfire is always a great pick-me-up. Of course, many of his movies have also made me cry and think about the deeper meaning of life. Robin Williams truly was able to do it all despite his various plots.

I believe Itzkof captures Robin's life work incredibly well. His biography captures the good and bad, showing no bias despite Itzkof's friendship with Robin. If you grew up with Robin Williams, or were a devoted fan, this book will make you laugh, cry, and reminiscence. It's a wonderful tribute to the late Robin Willaims.

The book begins with Robin's struggle to make it big. It details the troubles of his first relationships and first marriage. It touches on his substance abuse and alcoholism. I loved how Itzkof did not spare details and put Robin on a pedestal. He was human. He made mistakes. If you're not ready to accept that, this is not the book for you. I'll admit, I had trouble listening to this "family man's" digressions, but by the end of the biography, I appreciated the new knowledge. I was able to appreciate his struggle and understand his actions a little more. Overall, Robin was a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it for any comedy fans!