As only the second person in history to be awarded the PEGOT (Pulitzer, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), Marvin Hamlisch has quite an incredible story. This graphic novel adaptation of the biography of the renowned musician, composer, and conductor also includes his family’s flight from Nazi-occupied Austria and their immigration to the United States. Accepted into the prestigious Juilliard music school at age 6, Marvin had to work hard to overcome intense anxiety before every performance. Despite his struggles and his self-doubt, he celebrated his first radio hit in his teens, wrote songs for a young Liza Minelli, worked with Barbra Streisand on Funny Girl, and won his first major award before the age of 30.
Born in 1967, Ian David Marsden spent his formative years in Zurich, Switzerland. He later worked and lived in places all over the world, now residing in the Pic Saint Loup region of the south of France with his wife and three daughters, who are his pride and joy, and an ever-growing cast of pets.
"What is important is that the chuck-full-of-amazing facts content is beautifully presented here by Marsden. Imagine Hamlisch at age 6 being accepted at Julliard. Really. Imagine his father was an accordion player and that his Jewish parents left Vienna to avoid the Nazis. The telling of it is edge-of-your-seat exciting. It almost seems unimaginable that this brilliant composer and conductor really enjoyed playing stickball in the streets of New York as a kid." Republican American March 2020
God gave Marvin Hamlisch a life that has made for some great storytelling and this graphic novel is proof. Its a great read, historically fascinating and 100% Marvin in its wit and wisdom. I never wanted it to end. Lucie Arnaz, Emmy award-winning producer and actress
Marvin, a graphic novel adapted and illustrated by Ian David Marsden based on The Way I Was by Marvin Hamlisch, tells the story of Hamlisch, a famous film composer, through a Jewish lens. A large portion of the graphic novel follows Marvins parents in flashbacks as they escape Nazi Germany to come to America, where Marvin himself is born. Exploring his parents story allows for a greater understanding of his Jewish heritage and what his parents had to do to survive Nazi Germany.The book shines when it showcases Marvins successes. Once he starts to make it as a composer, he narrates the stories behind some of his biggest triumphs, such as his breakout score for âThe Swimmer, and his Golden Globe Winning song for âKotch. The graphic novel illustrates his writing process, often utilizing some of the skills he learned from his education at Julliard, detailed at the beginning of the book. Marsden includes celebrity cameos and behind the scenes looks at Hollywood which add sparkle and recognition to the story.Marsdens art style invites in all graphic novel readers. The cartoonish yet vivid faces of the characters are warm and friendly, and make Marvins story feel familiar and accessible. Marvin is a fun read for any film fan who wants to learn about musical scores, ironically one of the mediums most unsung aspects. -- Richard C. Kraus, Jewish Book Council
It isnt only that Marvins story offers a roller coaster of life events. It also speaks of a different time when social interaction is based on being a stand-up person, where integrity speaks for itself. It is hard to imagine it was the norm not so long ago, especially when this book and its story are pitted against what passes for the norm now. But adapted from the self-authored The Way I Was, Ian David Marsden captures the tone and look of Marvin Hamlisch, in both his penmanship and illustrations. No doubt that, there was real love for Marsdens subject matter. And without upholding Hamlischs integrity in this adaptation, there is also no doubt this book would hold its weight. -- Picture This Post
