The Bastard of Beverly Hills

By: Rafael Moscatel

Narrated by: Ryan Haugen

Length: 5 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

A secret adoption. Arranged by an infamous attorney for a celebrated composer. And hidden by TV's biggest stars.

Moscatel recalls living among the famous—and living with a secret—in this memoir. The author, a film director, presents an engaging and surprise-filled memoir of a man whose true identity was kept from him well into adulthood.

The adopted son of Ray and Eleanor Moscatel, a Sephardic Jewish couple living in Beverly Hills, Moscatel was adopted after the tragic death of his parents’ natural son, Albert. Moscatel details how he had always been aware of the ambiguity of his origins (his parents at one point claimed was as a “test-tube baby”), and that it was only later in life that he found out the truth and began to heal from the psychological damage of his parents’ subterfuge.

On a lighter note, Moscatel has plenty to share about living in Beverly Hills among the famous, some of whom were friends and neighbors to the Moscatel family.

He recounts his family’s close friendship with actor Michael Landon and his family, as well as various members of the Gilbert family, whose oldest daughter, actress Melissa Gilbert, was an adoptee like him. He includes accounts of encounters, both minor and serious, with celebrities ranging from Frank Sinatra to Tony Roma (the latter was briefly his mother’s husband).

The memoir is full of twists and turns—the surprise ending regarding Moscatel’s background also speaks to the stigma surrounding adoption that has only recently begun to abate. The author writes movingly of his parents’ own difficulties, displaying understanding and grace: “The emotional upheaval of a loss blurs a survivor’s memory. And their grief, from denial, to bouts of anger, guilt, bargaining, and ultimately acceptance, often ends with a little piece of them dying, too.” Moscatel does not offer the listener a pat happy ending, but his story reaches a satisfying resolution.

©2023 Rafael Moscatel (P)2023 Rafael Moscatel

Critic reviews

"Rafael Moscatel crafts a deeply engaging and entertaining story that will undoubtedly resonate with readers. Well-written with wit and honesty interspersed throughout, the author comes to terms with his upbringing, identity, and family's past. A truly unique story told with refreshing candor and emotional integrity." (Publishers Weekly)

"An engaging and surprise-filled memoir of a man whose true identity was kept from him well into adulthood that's full of twists and turns." (Kirkus Reviews)

"An amazing story about fighting demons and dealing with lies, loss, and rejection while growing up in Los Angeles, the City of Angels. Rafael's journey evokes a rollercoaster of emotions, from admiration to laughter to a deep feeling of empathy and comradery. His story is compelling, entertaining, and inspiring, a beacon of hope for those lost in the darkness of the human condition." (Indie Reader)

The depth of emotion.

A very personal and heartfelt tale of a man's life. I lived and grew up around Rafael's story. We have known each other most of our lives and went to elementary and high school together. It was interesting learning about one of my oldest friend's life story which to am exent by extention is part of my life story too. We have had our own whacky adventures that would make an interesting tale itself. Raphael has been supportive of my own writing since I started out many moons ago and we've never fully been out of touch so we always caught up from time to time. This is a very immersive tale that weaves many prominent figures of both politics and Hollywood legends such as Michael Landon and even Frank Sinatra. Growing up in Beverly Hills is a strange and rare thing to share where you met famous people and realized they were just people struggling through life like you.

Incredible vivid story of an amazing life

I loved this book! It grabbed me from the start and just built layers of emotions as it went. It was heart rendering all the way. It is funny and deep and just so interesting!!! I would listen again, which I would not often say.

Best ‘read’ of the year.

Rafael is willing to share himself with us. He does a fabulous job of being open, vulnerable, and self aware.
Try it.

Refreshing story

It brought me back to my younger days and made me reflect on my own growth.