Remember The Time - Michael Jackson.
The book just came to an end. A little relieved and a little disappointed by the ending. Somewhere I thought the last few pages of the book will reveal the truth about his death. How he died, what really happened, who was responsible for it. Why didn't anyone save him or at least try to on time?
All these questions about the way it ended for him left unanswered. But maybe the book wasn't about clearing all those doubts. maybe the truth was never meant to be known, no matter how desperately we searched for it.
The book itself is phenomenal. Not in the way that the story portrayed is magnificent, but the simplicity with which MJ's life has been described.
Frankly, I don't know where to start. I have never written book reviews, and have in fact never read a book about a famous person before. Was not interested to be honest. But when I heard there is a book about Michael Jackson, I ordered it right away. I didn't know what was in store for me, just wanted to read and see for myself.
The book had me hooked from page 1, the introduction. The first song that I can think of right now is 'Stranger in Moscow'. How does it feel to be Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, the living legend, the man for whom people have sacrificed their personal lives, their careers and everything normal? Happy and lonely at the same time, probably.
What you see when you think of MJ are songs like 'Beat It', Bad, Thriller, Dangerous, Jackson 5 songs. And then there's a side to him which shows you a part of his soul - Stranger In Moscow, Why Don't You Just Leave Me Alone et al.
As i turned page after page reading about his life, his peaceful times with family, the love he had for people close to him, songs kept running through my head. Everything described in those pages could be translated into songs. He didn't have many to confide in, and all his emotions poured out in the form of songs. The soulful music that is loved by millions the world over.
There were simple times, tough times; and funny moments interspersed between chapters speaking about his hardships.
I cried once, when the book started (although I might just start crying as I write this). When I opened the book, I just kept staring at it, a pause before you open the chapter of someone's life, and that too of the man you've admired, respected, have high regard for. Whose music got me through the highs and lows, and every song inspired me to accept life as is. A song for every mood, a sweet voice floating through the speakers every time.
Once I started reading there was no turning back. The book was there with me at all times. Literally. I would spend hours curled up, the book held gently in my hand. I was reading the most treasured book of my life.
As the events unfolded, I could almost see it play out in front of me. There were no images of him or his family, or the people involved, but you didn't need it. The way Bill and Javon described it made it easy to transform words into a world which you could enter.
I was laughing one minute and sitting dazed and shocked the next. It was a turmoil, a whole wave of emotions that gripped me. It's not a happy or sad book. There's no one feeling associated with it, it's everything. All words that have been used to describe emotions.
The best thing about this book is that I finally got to see a world which has not been trashed by the media or news reporters or haters who simply thought the worst of him. Because no one knew about it. A part of his reality which was so personal no one could have gotten the wind of it.
As I read chapters, I went online and searched for the people associated with his life. All of them. From his 'countless' fake managers to people claiming to be his well wishers. It was all nonsense. A bunch of lies. I kept reading the book and seeing what was written about him online. Few times, I was so furious after seeing articles I could have screamed at those people who ultimately pushed him to his death.
It was like a spider's web and he was right in the middle of it. No way to get out of it, no matter how badly he wanted to.
After reading this book, I don't even care what ill things people have to say about him. It doesn't matter anymore. There is a truth that Bill and Javon wanted the world to know about him, and it's finally there.
I can only thank them for having taken the effort to make this happen. Maybe that's what working for a man like Michael Jackson made you do - do things for love instead of money.
You are the greatest inspiration in my life, Michael Jackson. Always will be. This book would have made you proud.
Keep Smiling up there, we always will remembering you :)
God Bless You Michael Jackson
