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Me Cheeta: The Autobiography (2008)

by James Lever(Favorite Author)

3.43 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0007278632 (ISBN13: 9780007278633)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Fourth Estate

review 1: This is a bit of a spoof biography of Cheeta the chimp - Tarzans Ape chum in the films of Johnny Weissmuller of the old golden age of Hollywood films. I love the 40s, 50s and 60s Hollywood film eras, although Ive not seen any of the Tarzan films so I dont know how much of this is real, how much spoof - although I am suspecting that Cheeta didnt really write this book =). Its quite a good send up of the time and Cheeta really comes across like an ageing Hollywood diva... oh, how he swears sometimes, and he can be quite biting in his remarks. He really doesnt like Mickey Rooney or Charlie Chaplin either.The big thing through out the book is the friendship between Cheeta and Tarzan, on and off stage. Even though there are decades when they dont meet, its heartbreaking when th... moreey do meet again one last time at the end. I know it may all be made up... Johnny Weissmuller doesnt seem to have had a lot of luck with the ladies, going through six wives, most of whom seemed to be quite mad, some nearing homicidal.I know its a spoof, not to be taken seriously etc etc, but some of the comments about animals being "rescued" from the wild, and going into "rehab" (ie cages) did make for a little bit of uncomfortable reading for me at times. I dont like zoos and animals used in films and adverts in that way are depressing, but youve got to keep in mind that these were children of the time. And as Cheeta himself mentions towards the end, he might have been a cheeky monkey on some of the things hes been writing about, so keep that in mind when youre feeling angry.
review 2: If you enjoy indiscreet tales from Hollywood's 'Golden Age', such as David Niven's 'The Moon's a Balloon' and 'Bring on the Empty Horses' then this book will tick many boxes for you. The basic premise of an aged chimpanzee's memoir is intrinsically humorous and the book has laugh-out-loud passages but there is more to it than that. There is a love story here too and lyrical passages of great poignancy amid the laughter. The author has done a wonderful job with this book and it will live long in the memory of all who read it - terrific! less

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