Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Last Night At The Viper Room - Edwards

Title: Last Night At The Viper Room: River Phoenix and the Hollywood He Left Behind



Author: Gavin Edwards
Published: Genre: Non-fiction
Rating:
4/5- Great. Push it on your friends and family.

Book Source: Owned, Gift

 
Recommended if you like: Stories about celebrity lives, teen celebrity information



What Its About:  
River Phoenix was a 1980-90's child actor and teen idol who made became known for movies such as Stand By Me, The Mosquito Coast, and My Own Private Idaho. Despite, or perhaps because of, a childhood which included years in a religious cult, one which supported child sexual abuse, and years of a hippie-like existence, Phoenix became embroiled in a drug culture that he wasn't equipped to handle. Edwards recounts that childhood and, more specifically, the last days of River Phoenix's life before he foolishly took his last hit of drugs at the famed Hollywood Viper Room club which ultimately led to his death at the age of 23. Edwards wraps Phoenix's story in an examination of the 1990's and the pop culture which would lead to such a promising young man to his death at too young an age.
The Bottom Line: 
This was a really well written, extremely interesting look at pop culture in the 1990's, while offering a fascinating look at the strange and varied life of River Phoenix. I found this story heartbreaking, as Phoenix never got to fully reach his potential. A perfect combination of a biography and a pop culture review. Amazing, and truly worth the read!






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