Love Is the Cure

On Life, Loss, and the End of AIDS

By: Elton John

Narrated by: Elton John

Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Nonfiction, 2013

In the 1980s, Elton John saw friend after friend, loved one after loved one, perish needlessly from AIDS. In the midst of the plague, he befriended Ryan White, a young Indiana boy ostracized by his town and his school because of the HIV infection he had contracted from a blood transfusion. Ryan's inspiring life and devastating death led Elton to two realizations: His own life was a mess. And he had to do something to help stop the AIDS crisis.

Since then, Elton has dedicated himself to overcoming the plague and the stigma of AIDS. He has done this through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised and donated $275 million to date to fighting the disease worldwide.

Love Is the Cure is Elton's personal account of his life during the AIDS epidemic, including stories of his close friendships with Ryan White, Freddie Mercury, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, and others, and the story of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. With powerful conviction and emotional force, Elton conveys the personal toll AIDS has taken on his life - and his infinite determination to stop its spread.

Elton writes, "This is a disease that must be cured not by a miraculous vaccine, but by changing hearts and minds, and through a collective effort to break down social barriers and to build bridges of compassion. Why are we not doing more? This is a question I have thought deeply about, and wish to answer - and help to change - by writing this book."

Sales of Love Is the Cure benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

©2012 Elton John (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"My friend Elton John has touched us all with his music and with the countless lives he has saved through his AIDS Foundation. Now he has given us a deeply personal story of struggle and perseverance in the fight against this terrible disease. Few people know more [than] Elton what it will take to end AIDS. His wonderful new book will convince you there's cause for hope - and inspire you to be part of the solution." (President Bill Clinton)

No Bernie Taupin to fluff up the prose?

The inevitable criticism is "Elton should have had Bernie write this as well."

HOWEVER, despite the quality of the writing being less than amazing (and often annoyingly redundant), the book itself is quite good.

The stories are very touching and I can think of no better voice to deliver them than Elton's. Both the writing and recording feel vulnerably honest and this goes a long way to generate sympathy in his listeners. And, at least in the narrative portions of the book, sympathy seems to be his goal. Though he's definitely not burying the lead here. The most touching story by far is Ryan White's (i.e., chapter one).

Once he's finished telling Ryan's story, the theme of the book leans a bit heavier on the social stigmas surrounding HIV/AIDS and how those stigmas have led to government inaction.

Most of the emotion from this point on is just descriptions of emotion, such as "I was overjoyed" or "I was stunned" or (very plainly) "I was overcome with emotion."

The purpose of this part of the book isn't one of emotional augmentation though; it seems to be an effort to provoke social and political change. And I think he did so successfully. It felt like a very inspired and effective call for action. And that's how he ends his book.

Summary aside, the reading was very good. It's Elton John. No further comment is needed.

The writing was interesting though. If I were somehow made oblivious to the fact that he's a musician, I think I could have guessed. There are a lot of would-be closing lines that feel like they're supposed to function as a lyrical hook. But he doesn't leap into a chorus at that point. He just begins another sentence. And chapters are longer than verses, so it makes the writing a bit clunky here and there.

Criticism aside, the musician's memoir has become trendy to the point of cliche and, while some of them are interesting, Elton's is the only important one.

Refreshing Perspective from a Truly Caring Person

Elton John is golden. His story is refreshing in that it is honest, even when it's not flattering to him personally. He is open about his triumphs and his lowest moments. I'm glad he narrates this because you get to hear his passion, his real emotion about the events and people in the story he has to tell. This is a human story, pleading for compassion and devotion to the issue of AIDS...and how to make a cure. May you be blessed, Elton, for letting us see your love, empathy, and humanity.

Love truly is the cure!

This is a great book and I love that the author reads it. He's truly passionate about the fight and he's such a great advocate!

Too much repetition, not enough about his feelings

Would you try another book from Elton John and/or Elton John?

Yes, but would want to sample it first.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Would have included more about the lives of the friends afflicted by AIDS and more about what John was feeling during his own trials.

What about Elton John’s performance did you like?

He was good and serious.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not.

An important read

Would you consider the audio edition of Love Is the Cure to be better than the print version?

I like that it is read by Elton John.

Any additional comments?

Elton John is repetitive at times, but he has a very important message and tells the story so as to make sure we fully understand the message. I was a big Elton John fan in my teens, and had no idea how his life evolved.

more than a hobby for this rock star

Elton John tells the story of what drove him to become a leader in the "end Aids forever" movement and what more he thinks needs to be done. His passionate narration amplifies the message.

Educational and Entertaining

A great look "back" on the fight of AIDS and a synopsis of the current day and future. Felt this book was very educationtional and also reminded you of a past so many have chosen to put behind us. Elton was very entertaining as the reader and kept your attention the whole time; even when stating facts and figures. I have recommended this book to many people and feel I am a better person for having read it.

Too preachy

I'm a huge Elton fan since the seventies. The story of his redemption in meeting Ryan White is amazing. But, too much time was spent ripping Ronald Reagan for not getting the import of this new disease. Were we the only country on earth that was supposed to find the cure? I just don't appreciate a person from another country badmouthing our medical system and our government. England is not third world. The world is responsible for finding a cure not just the United States.

Need to listen

This is quite the eye opener. I was a teenager with hemophilia, in the height of beginnings of aids. I learned slot of things that I should do to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation. I think they are a leader in helping end this.

Educational, interesting, entertaining.

Would you listen to Love Is the Cure again? Why?

Yes, I'd listen again. There was so much information packed into this book, but written in such a way that it was entertaining too. The ending of the book, in which Mr John talks about the desperate need to dispense AIDS drugs to prevent the spread of the disease was so heartening, that I thought it should have been in the first paragraph. It would have given me a better perspective on the whole story. AIDS is such a sad story, I was thrilled to hear a surprise happy ending. I had no idea that the current AIDS drugs were so effecient at the prevention of the spread of the virus.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love Is the Cure?

Mr John's revelation that he would either die or dry up his drug/ booze addictions.

What does Elton John bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He makes it so personal.

If you could give Love Is the Cure a new subtitle, what would it be?

Curing AIDS, there is hope.