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| Author | Scott Thorson Alex Thorleifson |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Memoir |
| Publisher | Dutton |
Publication date | June 22, 1988 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace is a memoir by Scott Thorson and Alex Thorleifson, published in 1988 by Dutton, and reissued in 2013. In 2009, it was reported that Thorson was working on a sequel, but as of his death in 2024 it had not materialized. [1]
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Scott Thorson recounts his tumultuous six-year relationship with the legendary entertainer and pianist Liberace, spanning from 1976 to 1982. The memoir provides an intimate and controversial look into their romantic partnership, detailing how Thorson, then an 18-year-old chauffeur and bodyguard, became Liberace's lover and eventually his live-in companion.
The book chronicles their lavish lifestyle together, including their travels around the world, life in Liberace's opulent Las Vegas mansion, and the extravagant parties they hosted. Thorson describes Liberace's obsession with plastic surgery and his attempts to transform Thorson's appearance to resemble his own through extensive cosmetic procedures. The memoir also reveals the darker aspects of their relationship, including drug use, domestic violence, and the psychological manipulation Thorson claims to have endured.
Following their bitter breakup in 1982, Thorson details his legal battles with Liberace, including a highly publicized palimony lawsuit that was among the first of its kind involving a same-sex couple. The book explores the aftermath of their relationship, Thorson's struggles with addiction, and his attempts to rebuild his life after leaving Liberace's world of wealth and fame. [2]
The memoir was adapted for a television film, Behind the Candelabra , directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, and premiered on HBO on May 26, 2013. [3] [4]
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