karinski's review
4.0
Seattle in the 90s, New York and the London music scene in the 00s, even two shout outs for the club I used to DJ at. I was always going to enjoy this.
catdad77a45's review
5.0
4.5, rounded up. This is a surprising book in many ways, not the least of which it isn't just the usual lame rock star autobiography - and Shears can really write. Given that he studied creative writing in college (he 'graduated', but never got his degree because he failed to turn in his final novella!), perhaps that shouldn't be such a surprise. And the majority of the book actually chronicles his years as a young, confused, bullied queer kid - the creation of his infamous band, Scissor Sisters, doesn't even happen until well over the halfway mark. Although many of these familiar tropes have been trotted out elsewhere - let's face it, most queer kids go through similar traumas - he still writes them in a refreshing and interesting fashion, and it gives insight into what transpires when he DOES become famous.
The latter part of the book does ALSO contain some typical elements about the rocky road to fame - drugs, sex and rock 'n roll figure prominently - and how success isn't always all it's cracked up to be; but anyone who - as I do - considers themselves to be a fan of SS will be entertained and enthralled by the gossipy tales. I devoured the 336 page book within a 24 hour period, so that alone is a testament to its power.
Sadly, the book ends rather abruptly around 2005, and I was HOPING for a detailed account of Shear's collaboration on the failed musical version of "Tales of the City' (which I saw in its premiere production in - where else? - San Francisco). But Shears hints that there MIGHT be a volume two chronicling the last dozen years - and I for one would be first in line to read it!
My sincere thanks to Atria Books and Ariele F. for their kind provision of an ARC in exchange for this honest review.
The latter part of the book does ALSO contain some typical elements about the rocky road to fame - drugs, sex and rock 'n roll figure prominently - and how success isn't always all it's cracked up to be; but anyone who - as I do - considers themselves to be a fan of SS will be entertained and enthralled by the gossipy tales. I devoured the 336 page book within a 24 hour period, so that alone is a testament to its power.
Sadly, the book ends rather abruptly around 2005, and I was HOPING for a detailed account of Shear's collaboration on the failed musical version of "Tales of the City' (which I saw in its premiere production in - where else? - San Francisco). But Shears hints that there MIGHT be a volume two chronicling the last dozen years - and I for one would be first in line to read it!
My sincere thanks to Atria Books and Ariele F. for their kind provision of an ARC in exchange for this honest review.
michaelkerr's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Samuel Butler once observed that "life is like playing the violin in public and learning the instrument as one goes on." Most of us have probably felt this way at some point (or constantly), but Jake Shears captivating memoir is a truly great illustration of this quotation. A bullied gay kid, Shears used humour and performance as defence mechanisms. He stumbled and fumbled his way through his youth with no clear notion of where he was going - and it all could have gone so wrong at so many turns. Fortunately for us, he fell into music and found his way to the world stage. This is a well-done memoir and will be particularly enjoyed by those of us fascinated by pop culture.
modernmethod's review
3.0
Enjoyable read and page-turner of Jake Shears' early life, exploring his horizons in New York and the beginnings of Scissor Sisters. It captures the excitement of scouting out new music as teenager, his determination of becoming an artist and how he made it happen. There are some parts of his life that he touches on that I thought could have been explored further. It's very much written in his own voice and at times feels like he is speaking directly to the reader. 3.5/5 Stars.