nerdyrev's review against another edition
4.0
This is my second graphic novel review! I didn't know what to expect when I downloaded* The Fifth Beatle, but I was glad I had the opportunity to read it.
We all know about The Beatles and the amazing way they took over England and the US with their music. There was a man behind the scenes helping them with their success, their manager, Brian Epstein aka the Fifth Beatle. This graphic novel is really his story as the Beatles are present, but take a semi side stage in the book.
Epstein was a closeted homosexual man due to the way gay men were looked at in the 60s, especially in England. Throughout the novel, Epstein worries what would happen to him if he is found out, yet his desires constantly come to the forefront in the novel and will cost him dearly at a few points.
Epstein was also hooked to pills throughout much of his career as the Beatles manager. The novel explores his start with pills as a way of curing his homosexual urges, but eventually he becomes hooked to them, which will also cost him dearly.
This is the main thrust of the book, as well as his relationship with The Beatles and his need to clean up their image as well as clean up their messes. We see many of the Beatles highlights, but through the eyes of Epstein. For example, we know they will be on Ed Sullivan, but Epstein must negotiate with Sullivan who is talking and will only answer through a puppet. Epstein gives Sullivan The Beatles at below cost just to help them break big in the US.
The artwork in this book is so beautiful. I received my copy digitally and had wished I had a paper copy as much of the artwork spans two pages, which in my e-reading couldn't be formatted properly, so I had to pass from one page to another to admire the beauty of the work. I definitely recommend grabbing the paper version if you are interested in this book.
Overall, it was an interesting and largely untold story of The Beatles, but also what it means to be a gay man in the 60s. It is a quick read, as many graphic novels are, but worth the read at least once.
I gave this one 4 stars.
*I want to thank Edelweiss and Dark Horse Comics for the ability to read this book. I received it in exchange of an honest review
We all know about The Beatles and the amazing way they took over England and the US with their music. There was a man behind the scenes helping them with their success, their manager, Brian Epstein aka the Fifth Beatle. This graphic novel is really his story as the Beatles are present, but take a semi side stage in the book.
Epstein was a closeted homosexual man due to the way gay men were looked at in the 60s, especially in England. Throughout the novel, Epstein worries what would happen to him if he is found out, yet his desires constantly come to the forefront in the novel and will cost him dearly at a few points.
Epstein was also hooked to pills throughout much of his career as the Beatles manager. The novel explores his start with pills as a way of curing his homosexual urges, but eventually he becomes hooked to them, which will also cost him dearly.
This is the main thrust of the book, as well as his relationship with The Beatles and his need to clean up their image as well as clean up their messes. We see many of the Beatles highlights, but through the eyes of Epstein. For example, we know they will be on Ed Sullivan, but Epstein must negotiate with Sullivan who is talking and will only answer through a puppet. Epstein gives Sullivan The Beatles at below cost just to help them break big in the US.
The artwork in this book is so beautiful. I received my copy digitally and had wished I had a paper copy as much of the artwork spans two pages, which in my e-reading couldn't be formatted properly, so I had to pass from one page to another to admire the beauty of the work. I definitely recommend grabbing the paper version if you are interested in this book.
Overall, it was an interesting and largely untold story of The Beatles, but also what it means to be a gay man in the 60s. It is a quick read, as many graphic novels are, but worth the read at least once.
I gave this one 4 stars.
*I want to thank Edelweiss and Dark Horse Comics for the ability to read this book. I received it in exchange of an honest review
ktxx22's review against another edition
2.0
This bored me, but that’s probably my problem for not being a bigger Beatles fan.
offbalance80's review against another edition
5.0
A gorgeous and heartbreaking meditation on the life of Brian Epstein, the wunderkind manager of the Beatles.
haddocks_eyes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
De vijfde Beatle is een prachtig getekende graphic novel over Brian Epstein, de manager en degene die de Beatles heeft gekregen waar ze geeindigd zijn, als sterren. Het is ook heel mooi geschreven, we leren van alles over Brian Epstein, zijn visies, zijn plannen, over zijn pillen die hij gebruikte om zijn homoneigingen te onderdrukken (zijn dokters woorden, niet de mijne), over hoe graag hij gewoon zichzelf wil zijn maar dat niet kan in Engeland van die tijd, over hoe echt alles deed voor de Beatles, en meer. Ik vond het razend interessant om de Beatles te zien groeien, maar ook om meer te weet te komen over Brian.
En aan het einde is er nog wat meer informatie over het boek en een aantal concepttekeningen en schetsen waar ik erg blij mee was.
Aanrader!
En aan het einde is er nog wat meer informatie over het boek en een aantal concepttekeningen en schetsen waar ik erg blij mee was.
Aanrader!
tschmitty's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
There would be no Beatles without Brian Epstein.
thebeardedpoet's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting biopic done as a graphic novel. The art was fab. For some reason, the story of Brian Epstein as portrayed here left me unmoved. He came across as a visionary who approached the music industry with wide-eyed innocence, too naive to know his dreams could never come true--but they did! While the story of his drug addiction and misfortune in the love and sex department should have resulted in pathos, I think his lack of concern about those things made them seem like things that happened to him rather than things which challenged him or caused him pain.
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
While the Beatles were a band of four, the honorary fifth member, Brian Epstein was key to the success of the band. Brian believed in the band’s talent and tirelessly worked to find gigs. Even though he provided a sense of positivity to his band, Brian struggled with being gay during the 1960s. He went to many doctors, took many pills, and had many dangerous casual encounters with other men (during the time it was illegal to have homosexual relationships—if caught, the government would have enforced jail time). Brian’s struggle ultimately led to his demise, but his efforts will be long remembered.
The graphics were awesome and the story compelling. It provided an interesting perspective on the legendary Beatles, as well as what it was like to be gay in the 1960’s.
The graphics were awesome and the story compelling. It provided an interesting perspective on the legendary Beatles, as well as what it was like to be gay in the 1960’s.
jemmania's review against another edition
5.0
Brian Epstein, as both a man and as a myth, is portrayed excellently with gorgeous art & thoughtful writing in The Fifth Beatle. This text can be admired for both it's educational value & it's entertainment value.
vchiasson's review against another edition
5.0
The story is amazing.
They got the Beatles sassy-ness just right.
Graphics are superb.
And Wow. I didn't know how much Brian Epstein changed the industry. I'm glad he's being addressed as an important figure!
They got the Beatles sassy-ness just right.
Graphics are superb.
And Wow. I didn't know how much Brian Epstein changed the industry. I'm glad he's being addressed as an important figure!