I Was Better Last Night

A Memoir

By: Harvey Fierstein

Narrated by: Harvey Fierstein

Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • A poignant and hilarious memoir from the cultural icon, gay rights activist, and four-time Tony Award–winning actor and playwright, revealing never-before-told stories of his personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, and of his fabled career

Harvey Fierstein’s legendary career has transported him from community theater in Brooklyn, to the lights of Broadway, to the absurd excesses of Hollywood and back. He’s received accolades and awards for acting in and/or writing an incredible string of hit plays, films, and TV shows: Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof, Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, Cheers, La Cage Aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy, Newsies, and Kinky Boots. While he has never shied away from the spotlight, Mr. Fierstein says that even those closest to him have never heard most of the tales—of personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, of his fabled career—revealed in these wildly entertaining pages.

I Was Better Last Night bares the inner life of this eccentric nonconforming child from his roots in 1952 Brooklyn, to the experimental worlds of Andy Warhol and the Theatre of the Ridiculous, to the gay rights movements of the seventies and the tumultuous AIDS crisis of the eighties, through decades of addiction, despair, and ultimate triumph.

Mr. Fierstein’s candid recollections provide a rich window into downtown New York City life, gay culture, and the evolution of theater (of which he has been a defining figure), as well as a moving account of his family’s journey of acceptance. I Was Better Last Night is filled with wisdom gained, mistakes made, and stories that come together to describe an astonishingly colorful and meaningful life. Lucky for us all, his unique and recognizable voice is as engaging, outrageously funny, and vulnerable on the page.

©2022 Harvey Fierstein (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A New York Times Staff Critics Pick of the Year • A Best Book of the Year from Smithsonian Magazine

“A raw, funny and fabulous memoir . . . Fierstein shares his life less in conventional chapters than in colorful patches: 59 of them, stitched together with photos and a plush index. The sum of this is warm and enveloping and indeed two-sided: One is a raw, cobwebby tale of anger, hurt, indignation and pain; flip it over and you get billowing ribbons of humor, gossip and fabulous, hot-pink success . . . With a dramaturge’s expert timing, Fierstein saves the most difficult anecdote of his upbringing for near the end, like the classic 11 o’clock number in musical theater. A story about his mother’s reaction to his accidental coming-out, it’s a pin prick to the heart. Actually it makes the heart a pin cushion.” --Alexandra Jacobs, The New York Times

"I love this book. Harvey Fierstein turns a phrase into a novel and the personal into the universal. The day for this book has come." --Gloria Steinem

A Terrific Life Story

you love his work now you'll love him.
through his unique prism Harvey Fierstein strikes universal truths of growth, trials and triumphs. truly a must read.

You had to be there

One of the most enjoyable memoirs I’ve listened/read over the years. I’m a bit older than than Mr Feinstein and not from NYC, but I have lived through the eras he so acutely and humorously describes. It was always a pleasure to remember along with him. And, of course, it wouldn’t have been the same without his voice.

Thanks Harvey

Not many of our kind left in the world and you have a wonderful memory. thank you again.

Amazing listen.

Harvey is an amazing New Yorker, performer, advocate and trail blazer, story teller. Didn’t think I could love him more. True treasure. What a listen. Made my entire commute for a week a total pleasure. ❤️❤️

One of my favorite audio books

As a theater lover I found this book fascinating and informative. The narration by the author perfect.

Loved it on so many levels

Can’t say enough great things about this book. Harvey has led an incredibly interesting life. There are stories that relate to all and nobody better to tell them then Harvey himself. Love him more than ever! Thanks!!

Superb! Harvey let’s you have it!

What a fantastic book. Add his signature voice and it is perfection. Theater folks will love the history lessons within. The LGBT community will love the advocacy and pride of the success of one of our own. Harvey is a 10 out of 10. Wonderful.

I freaking loved it

I’ve always known of Harvey Fierstein but didn’t really have any idea and this was a fantastic book from beginning to end. Harvey is an an amazing story teller I found myself looking for reasons to sit and listen intently

Funny, powerful, great!

This was such a great experience to listen to. hearing him tell the story made a lot of this even more powerful than just reading it. I’ve been a big fan of Harvey Fierstein since I first saw him mrs. Doubtfire when I was a kid, And I learned so much about him and his experience. . He truly is one of the Broadway greats!!!
This is a must listen to or read! I hope you enjoy it, and get as much as I did out of this book!

Required Reading/Listening

An enjoyable read, very well written.
For anyone who aspires in the arts, this is a voice worth hearing, and learning from.
I found the book so compelling, I even worked out for a full 28 minutes on the step machine at the gym, and I never usually work out that long, like ever. ( cardio-blechh!)