Sheffield Writer, Music /TV reviewer, & Northern Opinion Pieces

Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts

Sunday, 9 February 2025

Morrissey's Autobiography : After 12 years, Is It Time For A Sequel?

 


When Autobiography was published in 2013 as a Penguin Classics edition—a distinction usually reserved for long-dead literary greats—it sparked immediate debate. Was it an act of self-indulgence or a well-earned nod to Morrissey's undisputable cultural impact? I remember first reading this sat on a Sheffield tram in the cold winter of that year. Twelve years have passed yet this book has never left my bookcase. During the Winter of 2024, while the rest of the world ate turkey and tinsel, I revisited the book to write a review. Another two months have passed, so here it is. My idol is Morrissey, and I also read like an obsessive librarian, so I thought I'd combine the two and try (once again) to write a book blog. Let me know what you think in the comments box!




There's More To Life Than Books You Know!


From the outset, Autobiography reads unlike any standard memoir. Morrissey’s writing style is as florid and grandiose as his lyrics, overflowing with poetic turns of phrase, obscure references, and sharp humour. His sentences stretch for paragraphs, and his storytelling often lacks conventional structure. It makes for a rich, if sometimes exhausting, reading experience. At times, his prose is breathtakingly beautiful; at others, it veers into self-parody (very similar to his solo work, I feel)






Manchester, you have a lot to answer for!


The book begins with an evocative account of his childhood in 1960s and 1970s Manchester, (think 'The Headmasters Ritual) a city he describes as grey, oppressive, and joyless - "the arse of the world" he once sang. His depictions of corporal punishment in Catholic school, and a violent neighbourhood, describe a generally stifling existence. Yet there is a dark romance in his descriptions, often like these lyrics, he finds beauty in the melancholy - a trait he certainly cashed in on in The Smiths and his solo career. As you can expect for someone who wears his cultural icons on his sleeve - Music and film serve as his escape routes, and he writes movingly about the impact of artists like the New York Dolls, and Patti Smith, and his early fascination with legendary playwright (and Morrissey Iconography image N0.1) Oscar Wilde.





The Smiths: I Won't Share You...


Naturally, Autobiography dedicates considerable space to The Smiths, the band that made Morrissey a household name. His descriptions of meeting Johnny Marr and their creative partnership are joyous at times and seem filled with a sense of destiny. In terms of music history, it's a 'When Lennon Met McCartney' moment. But Morrissey seems unable to celebrate The Smiths without simultaneously mourning their dissolution and cataloguing how he feels wronged. The legal battle over royalties, which saw drummer Mike Joyce successfully sue Morrissey and Marr, is recounted in excruciating detail. While his bitterness is understandable, his obsessive resentment towards Joyce and the legal system feels excessive, dragging down an otherwise exhilarating chapter of the book - 'I bear more grudges than lonely high-court judges' he once sang.




Morrissey Solo Career...


Morrissey’s solo career, which he sometimes frames as a battle for survival, is covered in a more fragmented way. He highlights the successes, like Viva Hate and You Are the Quarry, but also dwells on his struggles with the music industry, dismissive critics, and perceived betrayals. His clashes with record labels, the press, and former associates reinforce his image as a misunderstood, embattled figure. The insight into his songwriting process is rather inspiring.



It's Not Like Any Other Love...


One of the more surprising elements of this book is Morrissey’s candid discussion of his relationships, an aspect of his life he long kept private. He details significant romantic connections, particularly his relationship with photographer Jake Walters. This revelation complicates his long-maintained aura of celibacy and ambiguity, making it one of the book’s most intriguing aspects.



Autobiography is a book that, like its author, refuses to conform. It is brilliant in places, insufferable in others, but always compelling. Morrissey’s storytelling is evocative and often hilarious. For fans, the book is essential reading, offering deep insight into his psyche and creative world. Love him (like I do) or loathe him (like everybody else does) Autobiography ensures that his legacy—flawed, fascinating, and fiercely individual—will endure.







Twelve years after its publication Morrissey's solo career is still going strong. He's also just announced another USA tour.  I would love to see an update to his Autobiography, as Morrissey's career has been just as dramatic these past twelve years.,



My next Morrissey book to re-review is List Of The Lost


Words by @rybazoxo


www.ryanoxleywriter.blogspot.com 


Sunday, 19 January 2025

Alan Bennett - 'Keep On Keeping On' : BOOK REVIEW - Ryan's Reads



The finale of 'Gavin and Stacey' on Christmas Day of 2024, and its incredible success, is (for me, anyway) forever tied to the genius of Alan Bennett and the film, of the stage play, 'The History Boys'. The play's cast (including James Corden) were all seen on screen as a few of Smithy's friends in the BBC comedy classic. As plays go, it's one of his best, but the thing with Alan Bennett is this - it's merely the tip of an extraordinary literary iceberg. Alongside his plays, Alan is a celebrated diarist. 


At the back end of last year, and following the finale of 'Gavin and Stacey' I finally got around to reading  'Keep on Keeping On' a collection of Alan's diaries from 2005 - 2015, which included 'backstage' insight into The History Boys play and subsequent film.



Alan Bennett's third collection of prose 'Keeping On Keeping On' follows in the footsteps of the phenomenally successful Writing Home and Untold Stories, each published ten years apart. This latest collection contains Bennett's peerless diaries from 2005 to 2015, reflecting on a decade that saw four premieres at the National Theatre (The Habit of Art, People, Hymn and Cocktail Sticks), a West End double-bill transfer, and the films of The History Boys and The Lady in the Van. The book also includes Alan's passion for visiting old churches, his surprising views on private education, and snippets of essays he's written for LRB (London Review Of Books). 



Alan's self-deprecating and whimsical diary is a clear example of his writing excellence, As a huge fan of Morrissey, I particularly enjoyed Alan's anecdotes of receiving notes from The Smith's songwriter and randomly seeing him outside a pub. Alan Bennett displays many characteristics shared with Morrissey - the whimsical, mundane, almost curmudgeon worldviews whipped into a literary and musical masterpiece. Suffice it to say, like a good The Smiths Album, or indeed, the finale of Gavin and Stacey, I can highly recommend this book, and the works in general, of Yorkshire's greatest playwright. I am also from Yorkshire, so I think that adds to the magic. 


I bought this book via 'World of Books' a brilliantly cheap source of second-hand and rare books!


Ryan's Reads BOOK SCORE 4/5 


Words by @rybazoxo 

Sunday, 1 December 2024

Nick Cave and Sean O' Hagan Book Review "Faith,Hope, and Carnage""

Having recently seen Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds live in Manchester, I thought it would be worth reading "Faith, Hope, and Carnage", a book co-written by Nick Cave and journalist Sean O’Hagan, and I'm glad I did. This book is an absolute blueprint of what all future rock journalism should look like. This isn't just a Rock n Roll interview book, it's a profound exploration of life, faith, grief, and creativity. The book takes the form of an extended conversation between Cave and O’Hagan, touching on topics as diverse as the nature of art, the role of faith, and the emotional impact of personal loss. As a result, the book feels less like a conventional memoir and more like a deeply personal meditation, as Nick Cave ( I discovered his genius via the Peaky Blinders soundtrack) opens up about his struggles and transformations in a cathartic and lucid way. 

Although it is a book about songwriting and Cave's immense work ethic, the motif that runs throughout is the touching taboo of grief. Cave has suffered tragic personal loss, including the death of his son Arthur in 2015. This experience has fundamentally changed his approach to life, art, and spirituality, and much of Faith, Hope, and Carnage centres on how Cave has attempted to process and live with his grief. Through his conversations with O’Hagan, Cave rarely tries to rationalize his suffering or provide a path to healing; he speaks honestly about the raw, often painful journey of grief and the moments of unexpected grace that can emerge along the way. This openness and vulnerability make the book incredibly moving and relatable for anyone who has faced similar struggles. For a staunch atheist like me, Cave's devout faith is humbling - his questionable (at times) agnostic attitude is also refreshing. 



Nick Cave in Manchester Nov 5th 2024 Image by @rybazoxo

Another striking element of the book is Cave’s evolving relationship with faith. Despite being known for his often dark and provocative music, Cave has grown increasingly interested in questions of spirituality and the search for meaning. He speaks candidly about his complex relationship with Christianity, describing faith not as a solution but as a way of grappling with religion and its often conflicting theology. Cave’s reflections on faith are nuanced and reflective, capturing the hope, doubt,  and naked faith that come with seeking a deeper purpose. For readers interested in spirituality, his reflections offer a fresh perspective free of dogma, grounded instead in lived experience and a willingness to embrace mystery. As a fan of his music, yet unapologetically unreligious, I found this part the most interesting. 

Nick Cave Image by @rybazoxo

The conversations also delve into Cave’s artistic process, shedding light on how his creative vision has shifted over his 40-year career. Known for his work with the band The Bad Seeds, Cave has long been lauded for his darkly poetic lyrics and evocative storytelling. But in Faith, Hope, and Carnage, he reflects on how his recent experiences have transformed his art, pushing him toward a more open, compassionate view of the world. He discusses his current creative practices, encompassing openness and vulnerability, and how he has come to see art as a way of connecting with others. Cave’s thoughts on creativity are insightful, illustrating how art can be a means of self-expression and healing.

WILD GOD is available now 

Ultimately, Faith, Hope, and Carnage is a powerful, thought-provoking book that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of a memoir, interview or rock biography. It’s a work of introspection and philosophical questioning that invites you to think about your own life, struggles, and their meaning. For fans of Nick Cave or anyone drawn to questions of faith, loss, and creativity, this book offers a resonant, transformative experience and is one of the best I've read in quite some time. 

Ryan's Read Rating - 8/10

I bought this from 'World Of Books'  a brilliant website for buying 2nd hand - helping to save the world, sustainability, and books!



www.ryanoxleywriter.blogspot.com 

Sunday, 8 September 2024

Book Review: Ronnie Spector - "Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness"



Words By Ryan Oxley


A recent charity shop find of mine was a music memoir of incredible revelations. One of my all-time favourite songs is 'Be My Baby' by The Ronettes and upon picking up  Ronnie Spector's memoir, Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness for a bargain £2.00, I was looking forward to finding out more. The real surprise was how utterly compelling her life story was (she died in 2022) and even features a story or two about my other favourites: The Beatles. 

This is a fascinating account of Ronnie's life in the limelight as the lead singer of the iconic girl group, The Ronettes, and her tumultuous marriage to the infamous producer Phil Spector. First published in 1990 and later expanded with a new edition, the book offers an unvarnished glimpse into the highs and lows of a music career intertwined with personal struggles and survival.

From the outset, Spector’s voice in the book is candid, energetic, and conversational. She invites readers into her world with warmth, reliving the glory days of her youth growing up in New York's Spanish Harlem and the meteoric rise of The Ronettes. With their signature beehive hairdos, thick eyeliner, and unforgettable harmonies, The Ronettes became one of the most influential girl groups of the 1960s. Their hits, including the famous "Be My Baby," were characterized by Phil Spector’s "Wall of Sound" production style, and the group enjoyed international success. Ronnie Spector’s recollections of this period capture the excitement and pressures of fame, but her anecdotes are what truly bring the story to life. From hanging out with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to performing on television and world tours, the first half of the memoir is a thrilling journey through the heart of 1960s pop culture.



However, the book takes a darker turn when it delves into her troubled marriage to genius/madness record producer, (later, convicted murderer) Phil Spector. While he was an undoubted musical genius, the book paints him as an incredibly controlling and abusive husband. Ronnie describes in vivid detail the emotional and psychological torment she endured while living with Phil, including being locked inside their mansion for days on end and having her career nearly destroyed by his obsessive control over her. These revelations are chilling, and they shed light on the dark undercurrents of an industry that often allows powerful men to manipulate and silence women.



Despite these harrowing experiences, what makes Be My Baby so compelling is Ronnie’s resilience. She openly discusses her battles with alcoholism and depression, but also her determination to regain control of her life and career. After years of abuse, she finally managed to escape her marriage in the early 1970s, and the latter half of the book focuses on her attempts to rebuild her life as an independent artist and a mother. Her tone is never bitter but rather one of strength and hope. A stark comparison to that other famous beehive/tragedy- Amy Winehouse. 


Beyond the personal drama, Be My Baby is a treasure trove of anecdotes for music lovers. Spector's reflections on her peers, the changing landscape of the music industry, and the evolution of pop and rock music add depth to the memoir, offering readers a backstage pass to some of the most pivotal moments in music history. The in-depth analysis of the recording of the Christmas Album is worth £2 on it own! 


Be My Baby is a deeply personal and inspiring memoir that chronicles the journey of a woman who, despite facing overwhelming challenges, emerged as a symbol of strength and survival. Ronnie Spector's voice — both on the page and in music — is unforgettable, and her story is a must-read for anyone interested in the world of music, celebrity, and the complexities of personal resilience.


www.ryanoxleywriter.blogspot.com 

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