Shattered Love: A Memoir Paperback – May 4, 2004

Wonderful autobiographical book by the magnificent actor Richard ChamberlainEnjoying every moment reading this beautiful bookI highly recommend to purchase this book,to everyone who is interested in the biography of this wonderful artist.

Let me tell you a story. There once was a young woman who was in junior high and high school who LOVED Dr. Kildare. Alas, it was on a school night. Her parents made her go to bed early. But this young lady was so clever that going to bed didn't stop her from watching her favorite show. You see the television was at the far end of the living room and could be seen from the end of the hallway. Well, there was a bookshelf there, and she set up a mirror so as to watch Dr. K from her bed. When he was over she would slip out of bed and remove the mirror so her parents would be none the wiser. Yes, that clever girl was me. And that was only the start of my crush on Richard Chamberlain. For years I kept track of his birthday. I enjoyed all the miniseries that he did.I think my favorite scene was that of Anjisan attempting to commit harikari. What passion he was able to show! Why didn't he bring that moment into this memoir?As a memoir this was less than what I wanted. As much as he told us his problem in life had been being aloof, I found that it remained in this book. And pride was still evident. I don't mind that he has come out as gay, he is an actor, and it is none of our business what he needs in his bedroom. I still love his work on the tele or big screen.Now, had this book been labeled as a metaphysical healing book, I would have enjoyed it better. I was reminded of a path I have left behind and plan to get back into meditation and opening my heart chakras. Then again, the title of the book is Shattered Love--oh yeah and A Memoir. So maybe I was cheated by my own expectations? I had set this to three stars but now that I think on it I think I must give it four. I may just read it again for the spiritual reminders.

I'm conflicted when writing this review. I had a crush on this beautiful man when I was about 10 watching Dr. Kildare, then as an adult watching him in The Thorn Birds. The Thorn Birds and Rich Man Poor Man were my two favorite miniseries that I couldn't miss an episode watching, no matter what else I had to do. I loved reading about him as a child and his family dynamics, his experiences as a child of an alcoholic father who hit rock bottom and got sober. I loved reading about how he got the parts in his miniseries and movies that he was great in, the celebrities he encountered along the way, and his life experiences. That was fun reading, and I enjoyed reading about his relationship with Martin and his inner struggle with his true person and the one he had to project to the public or fear losing his career. He was amazing. He could sing, dance AND act. Despite not liking school as a kid, he came off in this book as an extremely intelligent human being. So intelligent that there were words he used, probably at least 20, that I had never heard and had to look up their meaning. And I'm college-educated! The part I didn't like was to have to read chapters and chapters about his outlook on life, his philosophy of human life and the universe. And his friends who helped him with his transcendental meditation and finding "inner peace and love". It could have been done in one chapter and I would have liked reading about it. But it went on and on ad nauseum. I'm sad that he's gone but happy that he lived a long and happy life with someone he loved, lived in paradise, and got to travel the world and experience things most of us dream of but will never get to do.

Throughout my life, I have, on occasion, settled my attention on one thing or another, digging into as much information as I could, learning, delving, until I exhausted the available information or my curiosity on a given subject. Some of things I have studied have been people, some cultures, sometimes historical events....curiously, this pattern of insatiable knowledge seeking began with a teen crush on Richard Chamberlain.In 1980, I was 15 years old when my Mother decided to watch Shogun. Since we had only one TV in the house, I could either watch or find something else to do. I watched. The story filled me with great wonder. Mr. Chamberlain's performance, captivated me and I admit, I developed quite a little celebrity crush - the fact that he was 30 years older than myself seemed not to matter at all. More endearing, however, I developed a desire to learn more about the world we live in, it's cultures, history, etc. Of course, much of this inspiration can be placed on the doorstep of James Clavell's beautiful story, but if Mr. Chamberlain's performance had not been captivating, the story would never have touched me.It was out of a sense of gratitude for that early inspiration, that I picked up this book. In this book, the author details his path to his own spiritual and intellectual growth. I was personally tickled to see that he had several profound realizations that came from such mundane things as watching an episode of TV or examining a character or even just a palm tree - just like me! I guess you never know what in life's mundane offerings will spark tinder and lead you toward a bonfire of worthwhile self discovery.If you are looking for a book filled with sexual or personal revelation, or Hollywood dirt, then this book probably isn't for you. It is a book of healing, self-discovery, and forgiveness - and most of all an examination of Love in all of it's varied forms. It is a beautiful insight into a deeply spiritual and sensitive man, who hid behind a public image created as a protection against revealing his own self-doubt. It is thought-provoking and beautifully written. Beautifully Written! It doesn't seem fair that one man should be so physically gifted, then also be granted such talents in acting, music, art, and now writing - to develop with such skill. The fact that he also has a beautiful and loving soul just makes reading his memoir so much more lovely. I particularly loved his definition of 'Shattered Love', I won't give it away, but it is a beautiful theory of what divinity is and how it affects everyone and everything.His spiritual beliefs may not suit everyone's taste. His beliefs have obviously been developed through his own purposeful study and extensive contemplation. But the depth of what he believes and the positive way in which it has brought him to a place of personal enlightenment and contented joy is what I found fascinating.Far from exhausting my interest in this beautiful man, I admit my crush is now stronger than ever. (My husband will understand.) Again, Mr. Chamberlain has given me much to contemplate and more subjects to research and study. I wish him not only well, but continued peace and much joy and add my love to his, and thank him for the gift of this - his very thoughtful memoir.