Autobiography

Everyone authors an autobiography with a spin in mind, and rewriting the history of a legal battle nobody but the author cares about is such a dull spin.

3.5/10.

As a lifelong Morrissey fan and apologist I was really looking forward to reading this. I was not disappointed,

It is written as colourful, witty and overly-dramatic as his lyrics and the whole thing is a kick in the teeth for the usual book order and conventions. It is essentially a massive single-chaptered stream of consciousness with time, themes, people and subjects thrown up in the air and assembled into a hap-hazard story that goes off on so many tangents. All you can do is hang on and go with it.

For all of his massive media presence, constant news stories, occasional controversies and reams of interviews over the years, not much is really known about him and while this book shines a light on his upbringing, musical career and personal life, by the end I wasn't really much the wiser. This was rather frustrating, as I'd love to know the stories and meanings behind his songwriting especially, but in the end I actually didn't mind. I was happy with what I was given.

What was covered in great depth was the messy and completely farcical Smiths royalties court case and his constant criticism and accusations by the NME. Both subjects that at the time he never answered back his critics for the fear of making it worse, yet undoubtedly damaged his career and character.

It's a weighty tome at almost 500 pages and isn't for everyone, but if you have an interest in the man, it's a must read.

May I have a volume two please Moz?

At times utterly charming, at other times tedious and bitter. With my red pen I'd have made this into a lovely book, half as long, with a companion blog. In fact, why isn't this man blogging? He clearly keeps a journal.