After Midnight: The Life and Death of Brad Davis

by Hillary De vries, Hilary De Vries

From Simon & Schuster, After Midnight is Susan Bluestein Davis' exploration of the life and death of Brad Davis.

Susan Bluestein Davis tells the heart-wrenching story of her life with her longtime partner, Hollywood star Brad Davis--from his rise to fame through his role in the movie Midnight Express to the painful struggle with AIDS, the disease that finally took his life.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[Amber the vintage girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book I felt that I was there it was so well written.

[Thomas Wictor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a weakness for stories of thwarted opportunity. This isn't a pleasant read, but it's an excellent cautionary tale. Fame and public adoration are as corrosive as sulfuric acid. It takes a powerful, grounded individual to not let it all go to his head, but that type of person isn't generally drawn to acting.

[IreneS · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book was terrible. Brad Davis was a drug addict/alcoholic/ sex addict who came down with HIV and eventually AIDS. I'm not sure how he's considered an activist, he not only kept his condition under wraps (which I could understand), if I read this book correctly he continued to have extramarital affairs AFTER he knew he was HIV positive, and on the last page it's hinted he did this without protection.

WTF????

His wife is the author, she keeps insisting that her husband ISNT GAY OR BISEXUAL (okay, whatever, if he was so what?). She bemoans being an orphan at the age of 30, and having to have radioactive therapy for a thyroid condition (again, not exactly a lethal condition) and having thyroid cancer (the only type of cancer that will absolutely, positively WILL NOT KILL YOU and is easily treated). She also finds nothing WRONG with her husband sleeping around while he's HIV positive.

My grandmother told me every pot has a cover (a more raunchy friend recently said 'every pole has a hole'). I guess it's true and it's nice these two found each other, but I hope the poor kid resulting from this marriage got ALOT of therapy.

Activist? in the end.. I don't think so. Drugs and booze destroyed his career long before he got sick, he didn't get work because he couldnt keep sober.

PS I read this on Amtrak after my MP3 player died. Moral of the story.. always bring TWO books for a long train ride.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apparently, Brad Davis was not an easy man to live with, or even stay friends with, at least not until he found sobriety. Despite all the negative details, I came to appreciate Brad Davis more as the flawed and fully human he was. I also became a fan of his wife, the author. She would have been justified in leaving him many times over but loved him enough to stick it out. (Not that that's always the answer, but seemed to be the right choice here.) This book is about as much how Hollywood works as it is about Brad and his family. At times, it's very gripping, especially towards the end. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, like myself, who can't seem to let this actor go.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw, honest and deeply moving. As much a memoir about Brad Davis, as a commentary of how shockingly the AIDS crisis hit Hollywood and the rest of the world in the 80's and the very personal story of living with the fear it engendered in a time when awareness had barely begun and the stigma could destroy a career, friendships and finances.

[Snowmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad Davis was a fine actor who deserved more recognition! His life was no less as compelling as his turn as Billy Hayes in "Midnight Express"! The world lost Mr. Davis way too soon. :(

[Mick Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seems to encapsulate the saying be careful what you wish for.an actor that got sidetracked by bright lights and stardom after his first major hit.with his mixed up family background it was hardly a solid springboard to handle the heady heights of being a star.had he seemed help earlier I think he would have a a very good character actor and never been out of work.

[Fiona Ayerst · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very boring account of what must’ve been a most fascinating life