Son of Harpo Speaks! is the story of Bill Marx, Harpo’s adopted son, and what it was like growing up in that household, and the loss of his father, and what came after.
I have to say, I just finished reading Son of Harpo Speaks! and I truly enjoyed it. I’m a large fan of Harpo Marx, and his autobiography Harpo Speaks! And his son Bill tells the story of what it was like, growing up in that household. His relationship to his father is touching, and well done. There’s a lot of wonderful anecdotes, and quite a bit of insight into Harpo and his family.
When it got to the point when Harpo died after his heart surgery, I literally had to stop reading for a little bit. It’s that touching.
What happens after is also interesting, as is Bill’s accidental discovery of his birth parents’ story. Part of the last third of the book isn’t as intriguing as the rest, but it definitely picks up steam again.
I enjoyed Son of Harpo Speaks! very much, and I recommend it. I rate it 4 clowns out of five.
Product description
Bill Marx is the last living person to have worked professionally with the three Marx Brothers, his uncles Chico and Groucho and his father, Harpo Marx. Because Chico and Groucho had children that had written about them, Bill Marx wanted to complete the Marx Brothers’ literary trifecta by authoring a book about the personal and professional relationships that he had with his father. Son of Harpo Speaks!, in addition to offering a unique perspective of a very special man and revealing many stories never before in print, is also a book about a “too-Hollywood-to-believe” life-altering quirk of fate that ultimately brought him together with his parents.
The background for this remarkable revelation unfolded unassumingly over a glass of wine and some conversation in the famous 1960s nightclub, Dino’s Lodge, on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. It would subsequently lead the author to explore the complex life task of dealing with his emotional scars of rejection and the secure feelings of acceptance, the latter due to his overwhelmingly good fortune of having been adopted by two loving parents. Plenty of “show-biz” and “sizzle” are also sprinkled throughout to make for a very enjoyable read.
About the Author
Bill Marx (Los Angeles, CA) studied composition at Juilliard in New York City. He has composed numerous works for the concert world, motion pictures, television, theater, and ballet. He has produced, arranged, and performed as a pianist on many recordings with notable jazz and pop artists and on two albums with his father, Harpo Marx.
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