Fev: In My Own Words

by Brendan Fevola

Always in the spotlight, always controversial, this is the story of a football great forced to confront his demons. From his career highs to personal lows and the media storms that have surrounded them, rendan Fevola opens up for the first time about his time as n AFL great and his controversial offfield ntics. A guaranteed best-seller at Father’s Day, Fev: In My Own Words is a no-holds arred look t a lifetime in sport and in the public eye, and the difficulties that can come with it. rendan Fevola was 17 years old when he as drafted by the Carlton Football Club. Less than a year Later, he played his first senior game in front of more than 50,000 people. Despite the Blues’ slide down the ladder and Fev’s difficult relationship with one of his first coaches, Wayne Brittain, his extraordinary goal-kicking skills and the mentorship of later coach Denis Pagan saw him become one of the best full-forwards in AFL history and winner of two Coleman Medals. Off-field controversies overshadowed Fev’s on-field brilliance and saw him traded to the Brisbane Football Club for the 2010 season before being sacked by the Lions in February 2011. Life continued to unravel with his gambling addiction leading to mounting debts, marriage breakdown, depression and thoughts of suicide. This is a personal and ultimately positive story of Fev’s life in football, the ups and downs both onfield and off, and his hopes for the future. It includes an inside look at life at the Blues and the Lions as a player, as well as intimate insights into Brendan’s experience of family, gambling and depression.

295 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Matt Toth · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the most boring footy biographies I've ever read. So much potential to get deep n meaningful but 80% of it is a boring play by play commentary on random games no one cares about

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

never read this book...hit the wrong button and could not delete

[Bruce Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd like to see a second volume

[Tania Nunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a different opinion of Fev before I read this.. I think stardom is a difficult role for anyone to handle

[Anna Kuhl · Rating 2 out of 5]

When you read an autobiography you expect to get something that you can't get from any other source. Where was the dirt? Where was the inside look into his family life? Where were the heartwarming photos that would provide me a window into who exactly Brendan Fevola is?

All we got was a play-by-play of every match he'd ever been in and how many goals he'd kicked, with plenty of name-dropping and an OTT amount of "perspective." We know you fucked up, but seriously, how okay can you be with how each situation was handled?

I understand that depression is a serious mental illness, and I have no doubt that he has been suffering with it for years before he even started in the AFL, but I think taking every bad thing that's happened in your life and blaming yourself as the reason for it is not a healthy way to look at things.

He takes every team loss as a personal affront to his abilities. Or he's on the opposite side, and the loss happened but it wasn't his fault because he kicked *insert number of goals and behinds as he does on nearly every page of this book.*

I wanted to get to know Fev personally through this book; that is what a good autobiography should do. Instead I got stats, a long list of "great mates," a recap of every article ever written about him, excuses for his bad behaviour and rollercoaster performances, and barely a peek into Fevola's private life.

I started this book expecting more and was left severely wanting.

[Bustagroovy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well yes he's a peanut, but this book was so glossy it's not funny. No mention of Lara Bingle or stealing clothes, and barely a page about gambling. Every disastrous night on the town starts off with "we went for a quiet drink" and there are at least 10 people referred to as "one of the best blokes you will ever meet". Everything is smoothed over and the book is basically a week by week description of his games and how many goals he scored each match. Very disappointing after the ghost writer was the same bloke who did the David Schwartz book which was a cracker!

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was OK, I was expecting a few more insights into the private life of Fevola.
Being a Carlton supporter and having a connection with the writer, made me remember the dark old days of the Blues struggle to win games and how that would have impacted on his and all players.
A good book, but really a great book. Easy to read, easy to follow.

[Dan Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty standard self-destructive superstar athlete autobiography: "I played well, burned some bridges, played well some more, drank a lot and did a bunch of dumb things that I don't understand why everybody is mad about, then all the teams in the league decided I was more trouble than I was worth."

Not terrible, but not particularly enlightening either.

[Ruth Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

of personal interest because Brendan played for the same footy club (Narre Warren ) as my son and I knew many of the people in the book. I felt that the ghost writer captured the true voice of Brendan.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't force myself to finish it ! Terrible !!

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought there would be more gossip

[Shantell Sebire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Fev. This book made me sad. He was a brilliant footballer but he just couldn't get his act together.

[Madeleine Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read