3.5/5
His Sister's Keeper.
Audiobook audiophiles will recognize the unmistakable voice of Kelsey Grammer from the author's note jump (make sure you do check out those downloadable PDF's for those who aren't turning these pages). It's the kind of beautiful baritone that elicits a scream of recognition from the legendary Nancy Cartwright's Bart Simpson. As Kelsey has been standing on rakes, and the grandest of ceremonies, as Sideshow Bob for years. Even a Halloween and Christmas came early hybrid holiday special last year ('The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year'). So much so, this writer even thought his theme tune was his music, and not the iconic Scorsese and De Niro's 'Cape Fear's' very own. But now, after watching that movie for the first time, mere months ago (I'm always late), I understand, like I do the Hawaiian shirt and cigar in the cinema cackling reference. Grammer is having a Beast of a resurgence after Marvel teased his 'X-Men' character return that surely should have its 'Doomsday'. All after Paramount + rebooted his classic 'Cheers' spin-off 'Frasier' to fond fame. Although, sadly, now cancelled after last calendar, it's looking for a new home. Seattle, for those tossed salads and scrambled eggs, anyone?
If you want to read all about how Kelsey Grammer became your favourite call-in radio shrink, check out his story 'So Far...' from the 90s. Kelsey's latest book, 'Karen', takes a darker turn, mind you. And those who may find the following disturbing should stop reading now. If you didn't already know, Kelsey's late sister, Karen Grammer, was raped and murdered in 1975 when she was just 18 years of age. The cruel, unspeakable, evil tragedy committed by Freddie Glenn, Michael Corbett and Larry Dunn. Men (Glenn and Corbett), if you can even use that word, found guilty of murdering three people. Men who, to put it frank, belong behind bars. "It was ancient grief that is forever fresh.' It's always with you," Kelsey once told People magazine. Many times, over the years, Freddie Glenn has applied for parole. And according to this book, Glenn justifies his desire for release by saying that he's been in prison "long enough". But like Kelsey says, hasn't HE suffered "long enough". And what about Karen? Her right for life was denied by this man who still gets to live in prison. Isn't that enough grace for a rapist and murderer who never gave Karen hers? Good job Kelsey's love does.
But I digress, like Kelsey Grammer does many times in this book. Yet, you cannot blame him for feeling this way and saying these things. This book is a lot to bear, but we best believe him when he tells us he's sparing us the worst details after he was recently given access to the harrowing police reports. In this book, 'Karen-A Brother Remembers', Kelsey just wants to work through his grief and, not only share his pain, but his love for his sister and her brief, but beautiful life too. Yearning to reach out to old friends and acquaintances, like family, gone, but not forgotten. Wanting the perpetrators to remain in prison. Shedding light on the victims of murder and the most heinous of assaults, both directly and indirectly. It's difficult to "review" a book like this, especially when giving it a half score, because this, of course, is not entertainment from the iconic actor. It's necessary reading, and no half measure. That's why he goes back and forth, and overexplains his emotions and writing. But don't we all in our heartbreak? And this is one worse than what the majority of us have gone through. Raw and right there, like it should be, it's heartbreaking like fellow 90s sitcom star Matthew Perry's 'Friends Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing', yet healing like another Marvel man Jeremy Renner's 'My Next Breath'. Karen should have never been denied hers, but as Kelsey remembers, she lives on. Just like the love of family. That's forever. Always. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Reading: Kelsey Grammer - 'So Far...', Jeremy Renner - 'My Next Breath', Matthew Perry - 'Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing'.
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