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Wicked and Weird: The Amazing Tales of Buck 65
Star radio-host Rich Terfry presents the amazing tales of his alter ego, musician Buck 65, in this rollicking account of growing up poor, talented, baseball-obsessed, music-mad and girl-smitten.
With wit, style and a born writer's knack for telling detail, Rich Terfry gives us the wildly entertaining story of his unusual life through the eyes of his shy but brilliant and preternaturally observant alter-ego, Buck. Born in a small town in Nova Scotia to a mother who begins yelling at him the moment he is born and a father who keeps his own counsel, Buck imbibes fear and insecurity like other kids guzzle milk. Hobbled by his fears and demons, Buck almost disappears into the “evil in the woods” that lurks just beyond the town's border . . . until he is saved by three baseball, romantic love and music. His epic journey—full of diversions, coincidences, and larger-than-life characters—out of the darkness of his suicide-plagued childhood and into the bright wide world begins with a killer pitching arm (Buck almost makes it to the pros) and continues with his transformation into hip hop artist Buck 65. Along the way, Buck develops into a hopeless romantic and an obsessively creative, shape-shifting man who both fears life and dives into it with abandon. Wicked and Weird is a lively, sometimes shocking portrait of a life lived on the edge, by turns funny and heartbreaking.
With wit, style and a born writer's knack for telling detail, Rich Terfry gives us the wildly entertaining story of his unusual life through the eyes of his shy but brilliant and preternaturally observant alter-ego, Buck. Born in a small town in Nova Scotia to a mother who begins yelling at him the moment he is born and a father who keeps his own counsel, Buck imbibes fear and insecurity like other kids guzzle milk. Hobbled by his fears and demons, Buck almost disappears into the “evil in the woods” that lurks just beyond the town's border . . . until he is saved by three baseball, romantic love and music. His epic journey—full of diversions, coincidences, and larger-than-life characters—out of the darkness of his suicide-plagued childhood and into the bright wide world begins with a killer pitching arm (Buck almost makes it to the pros) and continues with his transformation into hip hop artist Buck 65. Along the way, Buck develops into a hopeless romantic and an obsessively creative, shape-shifting man who both fears life and dives into it with abandon. Wicked and Weird is a lively, sometimes shocking portrait of a life lived on the edge, by turns funny and heartbreaking.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published August 11, 2015
9 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 26, 2015
While looking at Amazon reviews for this book, I encountered a number of outraged comments pertaining to Terfry's self-admitted abhorrent treatment of women. While the text does certainly nod to these instances, nothing contained therein seemed like it would be out-of-place in, say, the semi-autobiographical fiction of various male authors of the mid-century; certainly, the balance of pseudo-romance and fixation on sex are nothing new in this genre, or any other. This isn't to excuse such behaviors, but to say that these hyper-masculine stereotypes are nevertheless present. Perhaps that's surprising from Terfry, given his erudite and earnest public persona, but it's hardly surprising as an element of a musician's memoir. Your mileage may vary.
In equal doses bawdy and earnest, this memoir works with its magical realist lilt surprisingly well. This move turns the autobiography form into less "autofiction" and more "meta-autofiction", which is really more of an elaborate way of saying that it's a classic form of storytelling - the oral form turned into written word. Terfry's lyricism is ubiquitous through the text, and one can readily imagine the stories contained therein being read aloud by the author in one of his hip-hop or radio pieces.
The book does suffer from being tangential, and the romantic relationship lens through which it's structured means we get less about the rise to alternative hip-hop stardom, and more about Terfry's romantic liasons and their seemingly inevitable failings. The other topics Terfry writes about, with passion, conviction, and self-awareness - baseball and his hometown of Mt. Uniacke, Nova Scotia - were by far the strongest and most captivating points of the work. As a result, the tone becomes increasingly uneven as the text progresses, building up to an ending that is ultimately rushed and unsatisfying.
This work might interest anyone interested in the work of Terfry/Buck 65, and anyone looking to read a somewhat experimental autobiographical memoir. I can't say that's a broad spectrum of appeal, but as someone who fits both categories, it worked for me.
In equal doses bawdy and earnest, this memoir works with its magical realist lilt surprisingly well. This move turns the autobiography form into less "autofiction" and more "meta-autofiction", which is really more of an elaborate way of saying that it's a classic form of storytelling - the oral form turned into written word. Terfry's lyricism is ubiquitous through the text, and one can readily imagine the stories contained therein being read aloud by the author in one of his hip-hop or radio pieces.
The book does suffer from being tangential, and the romantic relationship lens through which it's structured means we get less about the rise to alternative hip-hop stardom, and more about Terfry's romantic liasons and their seemingly inevitable failings. The other topics Terfry writes about, with passion, conviction, and self-awareness - baseball and his hometown of Mt. Uniacke, Nova Scotia - were by far the strongest and most captivating points of the work. As a result, the tone becomes increasingly uneven as the text progresses, building up to an ending that is ultimately rushed and unsatisfying.
This work might interest anyone interested in the work of Terfry/Buck 65, and anyone looking to read a somewhat experimental autobiographical memoir. I can't say that's a broad spectrum of appeal, but as someone who fits both categories, it worked for me.
September 19, 2015
I didn’t know much about Rich Terfry when I started reading, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I had a vague idea of your typical Canadian childhood with lots of ice hockey and other outdoor winter sports and the occasional run-in with some sort of wildlife (probably moose or bear) followed by a stumbling climb to national notoriety. Let me tell you, that is not at ALL what this book is. Though there are some familiar Canadian elements to Terfry’s childhood, and definitely a few stumble along the way, for the most part his story is… well, weird. I’m not 100% sure how much is fact and how much was embellished (it’s apparently a “fictional autobiography,” a term I haven’t heard before that leaves me unsure where reality leaves off and fiction begins), but I honestly don’t care – I’m choosing to believe every word because man, this is fantastic stuff.
According to this book, Terfry grew up in a small town in Nova Scotia called Mt. Uniacke. If you’re thinking rural, middle of nowhere, small, conservative, tightknit community, you’d only be a little bit right. Mt. Uniacke seems to be the place all the weirdos and oddballs in Canada ended up. Townsfolk had names like Flum, Buzzy, Teen Wolf, Lunk, Crust, Truck, and Walter the Human Walrus. And that’s only the beginning.
Terfry’s account of his childhood hops from one crazy anecdote to the next, telling about the house at the edge of town where the Carny folk lived (a favourite trick-or-treating destination for the kids in the area because you never knew who/what would answer the door), the time he fended off a black bear attack by playing the tuba, the time he set an egg-tossing record at the town fair with only a minor sidestep into a leech- and eel-infested lake (he came out covered head to toe in the former), how death seemed to take up residence in the minds of teenagers causing more than a dozen of his classmates to kill themselves by the time he graduated, and the time his grandfather had a fist-fight with a neighbour using freshly-baked loaves of bread for boxing gloves (this story ended with his grandfather’s opponent knocked out cold on the kitchen floor).
All of this (and oh, so much more) is conveyed with a minimum of fuss and complete credulity – as if this is how all Canadian kids grow up. For the record, and for those of you who are not familiar with Canada, it isn’t.
One thing Terfry learned quickly was that he would have to work hard to escape the town whose familiarity was also tinged with an aura of threat. Terfry hitchhiked his way out of Mt. Uniacke as soon as he finished high school, determined to pursue his dream of a pro baseball career. He very likely would have made it, too, if it weren’t for some bad luck and even worse injury – he all but shredded his shoulder, leaving him with permanent pain. He doggedly continued pursing his dream, though, deciding if he couldn’t be on the field, he’d train to become a team doctor. But music got him first.
But the book doesn’t just deal with the facts of how Buck 65 became Buck 65. With plenty of introspection, Terfry shares some of his most intimate moments and experiences, and tells us of the loves and losses that pushed him to grow – and grow up. There is plenty of emotion in this book, though the action never suffers for it.
This is definitely a book you want to read if you like the absurd, bordering at times on the straight up insane. It’s easily one of the most entertaining books I’ve read all year. Plus, if it helps the world realize that Canadians don’t spend their lives sitting around in igloos sharpening their ice skates and eating maple syrup, but can actually have some pretty awesome adventures as well, all the better.
Terfry’s writing style is direct and accessible, and his ability to strip away pretense to reveal even his most painful moments will leave you feeling as if you know him personally. He manages to balance the internal and external to create a book that is at once poignant and fast-paced – not to mention hilarious.
Read the full review on Rain City Reads.
Thanks to Random House Canada for the review copy!
According to this book, Terfry grew up in a small town in Nova Scotia called Mt. Uniacke. If you’re thinking rural, middle of nowhere, small, conservative, tightknit community, you’d only be a little bit right. Mt. Uniacke seems to be the place all the weirdos and oddballs in Canada ended up. Townsfolk had names like Flum, Buzzy, Teen Wolf, Lunk, Crust, Truck, and Walter the Human Walrus. And that’s only the beginning.
Terfry’s account of his childhood hops from one crazy anecdote to the next, telling about the house at the edge of town where the Carny folk lived (a favourite trick-or-treating destination for the kids in the area because you never knew who/what would answer the door), the time he fended off a black bear attack by playing the tuba, the time he set an egg-tossing record at the town fair with only a minor sidestep into a leech- and eel-infested lake (he came out covered head to toe in the former), how death seemed to take up residence in the minds of teenagers causing more than a dozen of his classmates to kill themselves by the time he graduated, and the time his grandfather had a fist-fight with a neighbour using freshly-baked loaves of bread for boxing gloves (this story ended with his grandfather’s opponent knocked out cold on the kitchen floor).
All of this (and oh, so much more) is conveyed with a minimum of fuss and complete credulity – as if this is how all Canadian kids grow up. For the record, and for those of you who are not familiar with Canada, it isn’t.
One thing Terfry learned quickly was that he would have to work hard to escape the town whose familiarity was also tinged with an aura of threat. Terfry hitchhiked his way out of Mt. Uniacke as soon as he finished high school, determined to pursue his dream of a pro baseball career. He very likely would have made it, too, if it weren’t for some bad luck and even worse injury – he all but shredded his shoulder, leaving him with permanent pain. He doggedly continued pursing his dream, though, deciding if he couldn’t be on the field, he’d train to become a team doctor. But music got him first.
But the book doesn’t just deal with the facts of how Buck 65 became Buck 65. With plenty of introspection, Terfry shares some of his most intimate moments and experiences, and tells us of the loves and losses that pushed him to grow – and grow up. There is plenty of emotion in this book, though the action never suffers for it.
This is definitely a book you want to read if you like the absurd, bordering at times on the straight up insane. It’s easily one of the most entertaining books I’ve read all year. Plus, if it helps the world realize that Canadians don’t spend their lives sitting around in igloos sharpening their ice skates and eating maple syrup, but can actually have some pretty awesome adventures as well, all the better.
Terfry’s writing style is direct and accessible, and his ability to strip away pretense to reveal even his most painful moments will leave you feeling as if you know him personally. He manages to balance the internal and external to create a book that is at once poignant and fast-paced – not to mention hilarious.
Read the full review on Rain City Reads.
Thanks to Random House Canada for the review copy!
March 26, 2021
Buck's Book is an interesting title. upon buying it knowing not so much of his music (i sometime in 2018-2019 immersed myself deeply in his music and found he sort of bridges a gap between the Baseball obsessed, the '80s inspired Zulu nation affiliated B-boy to the later grown-up hopeless romantic cowboy in his writings) which paints himself much to be like the late Albert Finney in Tim Burton film "Big Fish", as he blurs the stories of his past life and adult life with real-life experiences and also telltale fiction, giving a reader confusion to what is real and what isn't. But that's the fun part of this book as it shouldn't be taken seriously as he states at the start of the book "my imagination is better than my memory." In his writing, he tells sometimes amusing and also, very poignant stories of how he became the oddball rapper from Halifax Nova Scotia, whilst weaving in little references to his songs and music throughout. The only down point I have found from reading this book almost 3 times although it is a thoroughly enjoyable read, The book's ending is quite disappointing.
As a footnote of this much loved artist, this book could be considered his goodbye note to music after this book came out Buck decidedly went on a hiatus following some bad press and went on pursue his radio career further much to the dismay of myself and many others. maybe one day he will return, with tales and music to tell. until then, this book serves as the perfect travel companion.
As a footnote of this much loved artist, this book could be considered his goodbye note to music after this book came out Buck decidedly went on a hiatus following some bad press and went on pursue his radio career further much to the dismay of myself and many others. maybe one day he will return, with tales and music to tell. until then, this book serves as the perfect travel companion.
August 13, 2016
This book is wonderful! Some of the stories had me laughing out loud, others brought tears to my eyes. And some I read, and then read again several times, simply because of the prose, the turn of a phrase, the powerful description.
I've enjoyed Rich Terfry's music since he started releasing albums, so it was really neat to read this book and discover some of the background behind the songs. As I read his book, I brought out some of his older albums, music I hadn't listened to in a while, and re-listened. The novel and the music were even more poignant, when placed side-by-side.
I would recommend reading this book. Find a comfortable spot, like a beach on a sunny morning, or under a leafy tree in the park, relax, and enjoy.
I've enjoyed Rich Terfry's music since he started releasing albums, so it was really neat to read this book and discover some of the background behind the songs. As I read his book, I brought out some of his older albums, music I hadn't listened to in a while, and re-listened. The novel and the music were even more poignant, when placed side-by-side.
I would recommend reading this book. Find a comfortable spot, like a beach on a sunny morning, or under a leafy tree in the park, relax, and enjoy.
August 16, 2015
Rich Terfry must be a descendant of Mark Twain. His narrative flair and love of a tall tale have at least as much in common with that irreverent humorist and storyteller as with any writer alive today. Here, Terfry is stretching "memoir" all out of shape into some kind of hybrid genre that is so thoroughly entertaining, and so truthful in all kinds of interesting and important ways, I don't even mind that there's an awful lot of invention here. Highly readable and recommended... but someone from Mount Uniacke might have a different opinion. :)
October 3, 2016
a strange and meandering tale. i found myself distracted trying to figure out what was real and what wasn't. i was hoping to gain a glimpse into rich terfry/buck 65 but upon finishing the book, i felt confused and dissatisfied.
August 29, 2015
I was "gobsmacked" to put it mildly while reading this "sort of" memoir. Not having any experience with the musician (I haven't heard any of his music) but rather with the knowledgable host that gives off an "ego free" vibe across the air waves, I had a hard time reconciling the alter ego with the radio personality. Somehow, the severe psychic problems that at times consumed him were incongruent with some of the taller tales. Ultimately, I was left feeling that the story of his life was roughly stitched together leaving out the important bits. The high he gets with his "love at first sight" experiences left a bad taste and surely he isn't this shallow or obtuse (you choose) as his relationships with women sound. The first section of the book rang true with his description of his harrowing early life and Mt. Uniacke, Nova Scotia. This section shows a person with grit and an iron will to not just survive but thrive.
September 6, 2016
I first heard Buck 65 in the mid-1990s, working in a campus radio station. I liked that he was Canadian, from Halifax, and worked to make a distinctly non-Canadian/Haligonian sound his own. Unfortunately, his book does not match his musical entrepreneurism. A clearly postmodern memoir; Terfry narrates events that clearly occurred while supplementing his discussion with personal anecdotes that too often smack of personal myth-making. That the book wraps with a tacked-on bow-tied happy ending is disappointing when Terfry might have stretched his own comfort a little by exploring how he manages in the long-term the challenges he offered through the book.
August 21, 2015
Mildly annoyed that there apparently isn't a print edition available stateside, so I had to import it from Canada, but it was totally worth the hassle. Rich Terfry as Buck 65 has brought me hours of ear candy, and his obvious love of language as art carries over into narrative with grace and style. Although the style is straightforward and direct in an immediately enjoyable an accessible style, the effect is definitely one of Proustian reverie. I've given up on sleep the last four nights to get through this, and I'm probably gonna read it again straight through tomorrow.
December 23, 2017
Received a copy of this book from Goodreads.
Tall tales well told.
Expands on the surreal and dark imagery of his songs to create an enthralling universe of stories about small-town Nova Scotia, baseball, music and doomed love.
Hoping we'll see more of this literary side of Rich Terfry/Buck 65.
Tall tales well told.
Expands on the surreal and dark imagery of his songs to create an enthralling universe of stories about small-town Nova Scotia, baseball, music and doomed love.
Hoping we'll see more of this literary side of Rich Terfry/Buck 65.
June 11, 2018
Good book, I laughed out loud more than once. There is a lot left out so if you are looking foreword to stories about the Sebutones or the Language Arts series or early Anticon you may be disappointed. All that being said I really enjoyed it.
March 19, 2021
Years ago I added this book to my reading list. I can't remember how or why it was recommended to me, but I finally picked it up from my local library and am glad that I did! I literally knew nothing about Buck 65 going in but now I'm really intrigued to learn even more.
Through the first half of the book especially, there were many clever and well thought out very descriptive events and stories to be told. I found myself laughing one moment and really appreciating the lyrical, almost poetic quality of his writing the next. Terfry demonstrated several really intelligent uses of simile in his very vivid descriptions of events. Whether those events were real or fake, I didn't really care, I was fully invested one way or the other!
The book was emotional and personal and I really felt for Terfry as he navigated the many ups and downs of trying to make it in this uncertain world. The end fell flat for me, unfortunately. It seemed a bit rushed and I was left wanting to know more and to understand what came next. But that's not to say it wasn't a great book overall. It's clear that Terfry is a passionate, talented writer and I look forward to now exploring his music and gaining an all-around full picture of who this artist really is.
Through the first half of the book especially, there were many clever and well thought out very descriptive events and stories to be told. I found myself laughing one moment and really appreciating the lyrical, almost poetic quality of his writing the next. Terfry demonstrated several really intelligent uses of simile in his very vivid descriptions of events. Whether those events were real or fake, I didn't really care, I was fully invested one way or the other!
The book was emotional and personal and I really felt for Terfry as he navigated the many ups and downs of trying to make it in this uncertain world. The end fell flat for me, unfortunately. It seemed a bit rushed and I was left wanting to know more and to understand what came next. But that's not to say it wasn't a great book overall. It's clear that Terfry is a passionate, talented writer and I look forward to now exploring his music and gaining an all-around full picture of who this artist really is.
September 5, 2025
I have been a Buck 65 fan since Talking Honky Blues, so for about 20 years now. I even got to see him live and chat briefly after the show.
Before the book release the author posted excerpts on his Buck 65 Facebook page. Those were real diamonds in the rough that is Facebook.
It's hard to believe this book is 6 years old. I recall really digging the Facebook posts, and asking for the book for Xmas. I'm surprised it took me this long to read it. Well to be honest, I rediscovered it as I was packing for our recent move. So I guess I shouldn't be that surprised.
What did surprise me is how the stories, that shined so brightly on FB, are swallowed up here. Turns out an expensive relatively small hard cover book is not the best medium for those stories. If the project was a larger soft cover with photos and lots of other stuff (such as info about the records), with the stories in between, this would have been a great experience.
As a musician, Buck 65 is a real trail blazer, with a great knack at mixing many different elements. As author, this book needed some of that, any of that. Worth picking up from the library, but not worth almost $30.
Before the book release the author posted excerpts on his Buck 65 Facebook page. Those were real diamonds in the rough that is Facebook.
It's hard to believe this book is 6 years old. I recall really digging the Facebook posts, and asking for the book for Xmas. I'm surprised it took me this long to read it. Well to be honest, I rediscovered it as I was packing for our recent move. So I guess I shouldn't be that surprised.
What did surprise me is how the stories, that shined so brightly on FB, are swallowed up here. Turns out an expensive relatively small hard cover book is not the best medium for those stories. If the project was a larger soft cover with photos and lots of other stuff (such as info about the records), with the stories in between, this would have been a great experience.
As a musician, Buck 65 is a real trail blazer, with a great knack at mixing many different elements. As author, this book needed some of that, any of that. Worth picking up from the library, but not worth almost $30.
October 17, 2021
I have been a Buck 65 fan since Talking Honky Blues, so for about 20 years now. I even got to see him live and chat briefly after the show.
Before the book release the author posted excerpts on his Buck 65 Facebook page. Those were real diamonds in the rough that is Facebook.
It's hard to believe this book is 6 years old. I recall really digging the Facebook posts, and asking for the book for Xmas. I'm surprised it took me this long to read it. Well to be honest, I rediscovered it as I was packing for our recent move. So I guess I shouldn't be that surprised.
What did surprise me is how the stories, that shined so brightly on FB, are swallowed up here. Turns out an expensive relatively small hard cover book is not the best medium for those stories. If the project was a larger soft cover with photos and lots of other stuff (such as info about the records), with the stories in between, this would have been a great experience.
As a musician, Buck 65 is a real trail blazer, with a great knack at mixing many different elements. As author, this book needed some of that, any of that. Worth picking up from the library, but not worth almost $30.
Before the book release the author posted excerpts on his Buck 65 Facebook page. Those were real diamonds in the rough that is Facebook.
It's hard to believe this book is 6 years old. I recall really digging the Facebook posts, and asking for the book for Xmas. I'm surprised it took me this long to read it. Well to be honest, I rediscovered it as I was packing for our recent move. So I guess I shouldn't be that surprised.
What did surprise me is how the stories, that shined so brightly on FB, are swallowed up here. Turns out an expensive relatively small hard cover book is not the best medium for those stories. If the project was a larger soft cover with photos and lots of other stuff (such as info about the records), with the stories in between, this would have been a great experience.
As a musician, Buck 65 is a real trail blazer, with a great knack at mixing many different elements. As author, this book needed some of that, any of that. Worth picking up from the library, but not worth almost $30.
April 17, 2018
I'll start off by saying I didn't know a lick about Buck before reading and I'm a huge hip hop head anyways I really enjoyed Buck's writing style but the only thing I can't really wrap my head around is what is fact and what is fiction?
Buck starts the book by saying he is/and has been extremely gullible his whole life - so I'm left scratching my head throughout his memoir wondering as to what is the truth and what is made up or what did he believe that was told to him.
Buck starts the book by saying he is/and has been extremely gullible his whole life - so I'm left scratching my head throughout his memoir wondering as to what is the truth and what is made up or what did he believe that was told to him.
August 30, 2018
Excellent book, it certainly lives up to its title. I'd throw Wild into it as well. I'd certainly recommend this book to all. Every vignettes that is described so well that you feel like you are a part of the book.
July 2, 2022
This book was excellent. Even if I wasn’t aware of the authors previous work as Buck 65, I would have found it an entertaining read. Odds are I will have to revisit his music catalog now that I know a little more about his past.
July 8, 2022
Loved it from the top! The recounting of real life in a fantastically fuzzy way read a lot like A Million Little Pieces. I very much appreciated the wild ride of a foggy memory. Thank you Rich for extending your story telling craft into a delightful read.
March 10, 2023
Maybe the one memoir I've read where having a pre-existing platform hurt the author, because the book is nothing like his radio persona and doesn't quite jive with his rap persona either (though there is overlap).
Long live Rich Terfry!
Long live Buck 65!
Long live Rich Terfry!
Long live Buck 65!
April 2, 2018
As captivating as his music.
June 12, 2019
that was a wild ride...
May 2, 2020
Wicked and weird for sure--and probably the funniest trip to the orthodontist I have ever read.
March 29, 2021
I put together a playlist of (most of) the songs mentioned in the book: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/32n...
April 15, 2019
When I first heard that Terfry would be publishing his memoir about half a year ago, I could hardly contain my excitement. I love his music, and it was always a joy to read his numerous stories he shared on Facebook––some of which appear to have made their way into Wicked and Weird ––so I, naturally, had high expectations for this book. But, time serves to make us second-guess ourselves; by the time I finally had Terfry’s book firmly in my hands, I was a bit worried that the man I thought so highly of wouldn’t translate well into print, but, thankfully, such concern was largely unfounded. Barring a few slight missteps, which I’ll briefly touch on, I thought Wicked and Weird was great.
Wicked and Weird is Terfry’s On the Road, his Big Fish. He chronicles the makings of his hip hop persona, Buck 65, going through a troubling childhood in middle-of-nowhere Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia, his journeys and trials, dreams sought and lost, as well as the people he met along the way, eventually playing all over the world. I’ll quickly get the negatives out of the way: The unbelievable anecdotes severed the book’s ties to realism early on, giving the (presumably) truthful ones less weight; the Russian interrogation was ineffective as an anchor, though I can see how an ordeal like that would feel significant in Terfry’s mind, if true; and the ending feels abrupt. All that being said, the author was hugely effective in stirring up all kinds of emotions, in me at least. I felt that Terfry looked at life and love thoughtfully throughout. (Though, given the vitriol flung at Wicked and Weird seemingly for the author’s ego and mistreatment of women, I don’t know what this says about me.) Throughout his account of success and hardship, through lost love and alienation of those he cares about, the end result is as charming as it is funny or sad.
While the large negative reaction to this book makes me tentative in my recommendation, I liked it a lot. Be assured that the musical poetry of Buck 65 makes its way into Wicked and Weird.
Wicked and Weird is Terfry’s On the Road, his Big Fish. He chronicles the makings of his hip hop persona, Buck 65, going through a troubling childhood in middle-of-nowhere Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia, his journeys and trials, dreams sought and lost, as well as the people he met along the way, eventually playing all over the world. I’ll quickly get the negatives out of the way: The unbelievable anecdotes severed the book’s ties to realism early on, giving the (presumably) truthful ones less weight; the Russian interrogation was ineffective as an anchor, though I can see how an ordeal like that would feel significant in Terfry’s mind, if true; and the ending feels abrupt. All that being said, the author was hugely effective in stirring up all kinds of emotions, in me at least. I felt that Terfry looked at life and love thoughtfully throughout. (Though, given the vitriol flung at Wicked and Weird seemingly for the author’s ego and mistreatment of women, I don’t know what this says about me.) Throughout his account of success and hardship, through lost love and alienation of those he cares about, the end result is as charming as it is funny or sad.
While the large negative reaction to this book makes me tentative in my recommendation, I liked it a lot. Be assured that the musical poetry of Buck 65 makes its way into Wicked and Weird.
July 26, 2016
I first encountered Buck 65 on the Juno Awards from Halifax which Terfry details in very funny and tragic detail in this book. I was so impressed with his introductions on the Junos that I started paying attention to this Buck 65 musician. I listen to him often on CBC on his Drive show. I was so surprised at this book. Terry's turbulent youth, his dreadful mother, which caused his lifelong inability to trust and like himself is so disturbing to read. HIs ups and downs travelling and encountering the world is stranger than fiction. What a life he has led. I hope things are settling down for him with a good day job and his music career continuing at full pace. I look forward to the next instalment.
I sat down with this book in the morning of July 24 and read the whole book in one day. It is a definetly could not put it down kind of book.
I sat down with this book in the morning of July 24 and read the whole book in one day. It is a definetly could not put it down kind of book.
September 17, 2015
This book is like sitting down in a greasy, all-night diner, 4 a.m., with your favourite storyteller and just listening to their stories for hours and hours until time fades away, the breakfast rush comes and goes, then lulls, then lunch, and so on. And you are so enraptured that you never notice, drinking endless refills of coffee.
January 3, 2016
The 5 star rating I'm going with reflects how enraptured I was while reading the book. But having finished it, I have to give the disclaimer that a weird unease filled me when reflecting on the content and trying to find info about the real guy online. So now I'm just confused. But it would have been disingenuous for me to give it any less than 5 stars because I absolutely devoured this book.
October 13, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written, interesting memoir of Rich Terfry and not because I listen to him almost daily on CBC Radio 2. A detailed look at his experiences and adventures, not all were happy.
October 12, 2015
Was OK. Interesting and difficult life. Different from his on-air presentation.
His manager has said that about 60% of the writing is straight-up true. The other 40% is embellished, and probably not true.
Newmarket library.
His manager has said that about 60% of the writing is straight-up true. The other 40% is embellished, and probably not true.
Newmarket library.
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