Unbelievable: A Memoir

Memoirs are a dime-a-dozen these days, especially from the not-so-famous, but every so often, one comes along that shouldn't be ignored. Steven Henry Goldring, the author of Unbelievable, is hardly a celebrity, but not for lack of trying. Yes, he does his share of name-dropping, but his story isn't about his rise to fame, but rather how a boy from a small town in Ohio spent his life searching for happiness, love and a place to call home.

Having grown up as a member of the only Jewish family in Orville, Ohio, Goldring always knew what it was like to be an outcast. It seemed only fitting then that the middle of three sons who preferred band practice to playing sports would dream of one day becoming a star. Coming out to his parents, testing positive for HIV, his mother's death from cancer and ending up in an institution against his will are just a sample of the major life events that shape this heartfelt memoir, complete with lyrics from the songwriter author, a timeline of headshots, and relics from his time in New York and Los Angeles.

Artists are often asked what significant event or particular work forever changed the way they see the world, and for Goldring, it was presumably in 1985 after having attended a matinee performance of Larry Kramer's renowned play, The Normal Heart, starring Richard Dreyfuss and Bruce Davison. From that moment on, the author makes it his mission to bring the play to the big screen with a few of his own ideas for a theme song. Despite numerous failed efforts, which include attempts to join forces with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Bruce Vilanch, Debra Winger and even Kramer himself, Goldring carries on, determined to have his script read and his voice heard.

All the while, the entertainer tries to make a name for himself, performing at clubs (in one instance, with Joan Rivers), taking acting classes (one teacher was Ellen Burstyn) and launching his post-diagnosis, one-man show, "And Now, For My Next Life." His fierce determination to succeed, however, is no match for his declining health, and he is forced, reluctantly, to return home to Ohio.

His close yet unusual relationship with his mother ultimately helps him recover, yet his always strained relationship with his brothers (and their wives) develops into something hurtful and vindictive.

Goldring's retelling of his journey is always compelling, painstakingly honest, occasionally heartbreaking and even funny, at times. Much to his credit, he doesn't seek sympathy from the reader but rather hopes to inspire those who may have to endure similar hardships and ensure them that you can survive anything and even triumph, in the end.

I found it especially interesting and not just a coincidence that the afternoon when the author attended that life-changing matinee performance of The Normal Heart, later that evening he went to see the film, The Color Purple. Goldring's story reminded me of Celie's (The Color Purple's protagonist), who despite having been dealt her share of lousy hands in life, manages to keep her chin up and her spirit alive.