Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies is a 2017 memoir by Michael Ausiello about his marriage to Kit Cowan, who died of terminal cancer in 2015.[1] The book is based on Ausiello's relationship with Kit Cowan, who battled with aggressive neuroendocrine cancer. Upon its release, the book was generally well received by critics, who praised its humor and poignancy.[2][3][4]
 | |
| Author | Michael Ausiello |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Memoir |
| Publisher | Atria Books |
Publication date | September 12, 2017 |
| Pages | 320 |
| ISBN | 9781501134975 |
Background edit
The memoir is based on journalist Michael Ausiello's fourteen-year relationship with Kit Cowan, and the latter's eleven-month battle with aggressive neuroendocrine cancer.[5] An editor at Simon & Schuster became interested in the updates about Cowan's health and their relationship that Ausiello posted on his Facebook page.[6] Cowan died in February 2015,[7] and the editor reached out to Ausiello about writing a book about their experiences a few months later.[6] Ausiello decided to write the memoir as a way to remember Cowan, a process which seemed "almost [...] masochistic" to him at the time.[5] The memoir covers their relationship from their first meeting until Cowan's death. It includes their struggles with issues such as infidelity and Cowan's marijuana use.[5] In an interview with Instinct, Ausiello stated that he did not want to write a "fairy tale, sugar coated version of what happened."[8]
Reception edit
Critical reception edit
The book received mostly positive reviews from critics. In a review for The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide, Terri Schlichenmeyer praised the book's ironic humor and candid exploration both their relationship and the realities of caring for a terminally ill partner.[9] J. Corbett Holmes of The Desert Sun praised its mix of humor, sentiment and tragedy.[3] Lincee Ray of the Associated Press wrote that the book was "simultaneously poignant and shockingly funny."[2]
It received a positive review from Kirkus Reviews, which wrote that it was "grounded in the realities of modern relationships and the grim fate of mortality."[4] Publishers Weekly praised its content, but felt that the writing was at times "too airy."[10]
Other edit
A number of celebrities endorsed the book, including Andy Cohen, Andrew Rannells, and J. J. Abrams.[5][8]
Film adaptation edit
The 2022 American biographical and romantic drama film Spoiler Alert is based on the memoir. The film stars Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge.[11]
References edit
- ^ Perez, Medardo (September 12, 2017). "'Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies': A Heartbreaking Memoir of Love and Loss". nbcnews.com. NBC News. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ^ a b "Michael Ausiello shares poignant tale of husband's death". Boston Herald. 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
- ^ a b Holmes, By J. Corbett. "TV journalist flips script with candid gay love story". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
- ^ a b SPOILER ALERT | Kirkus Reviews.
- ^ a b c d Fallon, Kevin (2017-09-12). "'Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies': The Gay Love Story That Will Break Your Heart". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
- ^ a b September 12, Isabella Biedenharn; EDT, 2017 at 01:09 PM. "Michael Ausiello on Reliving the Worst Year of His Life to Write 'Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies'". EW.com. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Klecak, Jacqueline (2017-09-06). "Worst of Years, Best of Intentions in Michael Ausiello's Memoir". New Jersey Monthly. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
- ^ a b "A Conversation with Michael Ausiello on His Book 'Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies' • Instinct Magazine". Instinct Magazine. 2018-03-25. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
- ^ Schlichenmeyer, Terri (2018-01-01). "The Narrator Survives". The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide. 25 (1): 43–45.
- ^ "Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies by Michael Ausiello". www.publishersweekly.com. 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (2021-07-29). "Focus Greenlights 'Spoiler Alert'; 'Fleabag's Ben Aldridge Joins Jim Parsons In Adaptation Of Michael Ausiello Memoir". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-12-12.