The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss by Anderson Cooper
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Summary
A touching and intimate correspondence between Anderson Cooper and his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, offering timeless wisdom and a revealing glimpse into their lives
It wasn't what I expected. The focus is mostly on Gloria, with very little about Anderson. I'm glad I didn't have to pay for it because I wouldn't have been willing to.
The audiobook 'The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss' is presented as a conversational exchange between Gloria Vanderbilt and her son. Gloria, who is now in her 90s, shares her life experiences, including the challenges and heartaches she has faced. Personally, I found many of her experiences relatable, especially the struggle she went through when she discovered that her mother was gay during a time when society did not accept such relationships. However, I must admit that I stopped listening to the audiobook when Gloria expressed her belief that being gay is no different from heterosexual love. This contradicts my understanding of scripture, which teaches otherwise. Despite this difference in opinion, I still appreciate Gloria's love for her mother and son, but I decided not to continue listening to the audiobook for further testimony.
I endured the torture of this book for about three-quarters of the way through and made the questionable decision to finish it. I should have learned from my past mistakes. Anderson Cooper and his mother exemplify the "Entitlement Mindset," don't they? Wouldn't it be nice if narcissists could have a conversation without feeling the need to share it with the world? "Let's only share the dull parts, Anderson." "But, mom, they're all dull." "That's alright, we'll use our names to sell it anyway." This book further exposes Anderson Cooper as a phony on television. It's clear that he's just doing what he's told to make big money. He's a people pleaser desperately seeking approval from everyone. Anderson Cooper seems to have zero understanding that everyone faces struggles in life, sometimes even exceeding the blessings. I gave this book one star because it made me reflect on my own life and appreciate how lucky I am. I regret purchasing the digital copy because it prevents me from using the physical book as kindling for our fire pit.
What I Enjoyed: I found Gloria Vanderbilt to be a captivating woman, and listening to her story in her own words made for an intriguing reading experience. While she doesn't delve into every single detail, her writing maintains an overall tone of openness and honesty, providing a substantial glimpse into her personal history. Given that this is a conversation between her and her son, it feels like the perfect opportunity for unfiltered honesty.
Moreover, there is more to Vanderbilt's life than just her vibrant childhood. The book gradually progresses, delving into her relationships, ventures, and how she carved out her own career path. She proves to be more than a privileged heiress waiting for her trust fund to kick in; she actively shaped her own life, with money being a byproduct rather than the driving force.
Room for Improvement: As this audiobook is based on a series of letters and emails exchanged between Vanderbilt and her son, Anderson Cooper, there is a certain back-and-forth element that can come across as slightly awkward. In audio format, it doesn't truly capture the essence of a genuine conversation between a mother and her son, which somewhat diminishes the overall listening experience.
To make matters worse, Anderson narrates the text in the same authoritative voice we typically associate with him on CNN. Although this style is suitable for delivering news and maintains a steady and respectable rhythm, it lacks the warmth and authenticity one would expect in a mother-son exchange. While there are questions exchanged between them, the reading style doesn't lend itself to an organic flow. Consequently, the audio version feels somewhat disjointed, leaving me to believe that reading the physical book may have been a better choice.
This audiobook left me feeling somewhat disappointed. I found the content to be quite superficial, with a lack of meaningful discussion about the experiences of other individuals. Instead, it seemed to primarily focus on the challenges faced by the author due to their privileged upbringing. I must admit, this was not what I anticipated from a recommendation associated with Glenn Beck.
This memoir is absolutely fantastic. But it's more than just that, you know? It's a really moving and honest conversation between a mother and her son. When I listened to this audiobook, it felt like I was right there at their breakfast table, sipping on a cup of joe and eavesdropping on their personal chat. I was like a fly on the wall or even their own unborn daughter, included in the discussion. It was eye-opening, uplifting, and heartwarming. Both Gloria and Anderson came across as really likable, well-spoken, and genuine. It truly offered an intimate peek into their relationship, as well as a captivating account of Gloria's incredibly unique life.
I was disappointed with this book, considering the reputation of the mother and son duo. It felt lacking in depth and failed to establish a strong connection between the reader and the individuals portrayed. Both individuals came across as one-dimensional and guarded. It left me questioning the purpose of writing this book. Had it not been for their fame, I doubt it would have been published beyond the desk of an assistant editor.
The HBO documentary does a great job of portraying these two well-known figures, but if you combine watching the show with listening to their emails, you'll gain insight into why Anderson Cooper comes across as an odd person in real life, as opposed to what we see on TV. It also sheds light on how Gloria Vanderbilt appears pleasant on TV, but doesn't seem fazed when sharing the fact that one of her sons, from one of her husbands, stopped communicating with her. She shows no visible reaction to this, at least not on the show where it was discussed. It's an intriguing concept for a book, although I must admit I had to stop listening three quarters of the way through, so maybe that disqualifies me from submitting this review. Nevertheless, I do recommend watching the documentary.
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