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alexrobinsonsupergenius's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book but I have two quibbles:
--Despite being called an "intimate" biography I never really felt like the author got into McCartney's skin.
--the section on the Heather Mills debacle is far too long,going into far too much detail for what is (while admittedly sordid and weird) ultimately a kind of trivial matter.
That being said, I thought it was an interesting book that actually had some great insights.
--Despite being called an "intimate" biography I never really felt like the author got into McCartney's skin.
--the section on the Heather Mills debacle is far too long,going into far too much detail for what is (while admittedly sordid and weird) ultimately a kind of trivial matter.
That being said, I thought it was an interesting book that actually had some great insights.
1outside's review
4.0
Positively surprised by this well-balanced and well researched biography. It must be one of the best ones written about a member of the Beatles, if not the best one.
Why I don't give a 5 star rating: sometimes the book felt a bit too "intimate". Also, as many biographers of musicians, Sounes did at times strongly put forward his opinions about Macca's music - even though he set out to make this book about Sir Paul's LIFE.
But all in all having read the official biography that made almost a saint out of him and another book making a pervy villain out of him this book is nontheless the best and most interesting one that you can find about Sir Paul.
Why I don't give a 5 star rating: sometimes the book felt a bit too "intimate". Also, as many biographers of musicians, Sounes did at times strongly put forward his opinions about Macca's music - even though he set out to make this book about Sir Paul's LIFE.
But all in all having read the official biography that made almost a saint out of him and another book making a pervy villain out of him this book is nontheless the best and most interesting one that you can find about Sir Paul.
shanviolinlove's review
Ehh...I'm partial to Peter Amos Carlin's bio -- this one gives a meticulous and overwhelming account of Paul MCartney's ancestors, but only a brief introduction to his union with John Lennon. I was amazed how overly persnickety this biographer is about trivial details, yet overgeneralizes significant events in McCartney's life, like meeting Lennon or Linda's death.
robinsbooks's review
4.0
Loved this biography of Paul McCartney and even though I had heard many of the stories, there was lots of new details, and yes, gossip. My only warning is don't even think about reading the hardback if your vision isn't sharp. I had a terrible time and wonder why the publisher chose to print this big book in such a faint and hard to read font. If you want to read this and have an e-reader, think about getting it in e-book format.
vgk's review
2.0
I think as a general rule, if you loathe the culture and music of the 1960s, hate all members of the biggest band from that era and have absolutely no regard for animals at all (to the extent that you even think it is outrageous that anyone should take a sick pet to the vet), then you probably shouldn't write a biography of a member of that band, particularly one who is also a renowned vegan and animal activist. Sounes comes across as a right dick who doesn't have a kind word to say about anybody. My advice is to give this book a wide berth.
gillyanne's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
kat2112's review
2.0
A more detailed review will follow on my book blog, but here I'll say that this is the first Beatle biography I've read that wasn't about John. I suppose I've resisted all this time to read a Paul bio because he's still kicking and apparently making news...therefore his story is far from over. Reading Fab, you get the impression that the author is only a marginal admirer of McCartney. While it may be mainly factual (it's certainly long) it doesn't read as an objective piece. A song is mentioned, and the author delivers an off-handed comment about how lousy it was, or how this album wasn't good, etc. While I don't expect McCartney to have lived as a saint, the author seems to highlight moments where McCartney most visibly acted like an ass.
If you believe Macca can do no wrong, you're probably not going to like this. I expect a thorough biography to pull up the occasional scab, but there are moments in Fab where the author appears to take great pleasure in doing so. It's off-putting.
If you believe Macca can do no wrong, you're probably not going to like this. I expect a thorough biography to pull up the occasional scab, but there are moments in Fab where the author appears to take great pleasure in doing so. It's off-putting.
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