Sick of Being Me

by Sean Egan

Sick of Being Me is the alternately exhilarating and harrowing story of guitarist Paul Hazelwood, from his childhood on a London council estate, where he nurtures his dreams of stardom, to his agonising realisation on the cusp of his thirties that talent doesn't necessarily bring success. Egan spurns sensationalism to portray the reality of the life of a struggling musician. Similar authenticity informs the drug scenes, which reveal the touching pain that can be hidden beneath an unpleasant junkie exterior. Vulnerable, truthful, moving and beautiful, Sick of Being Me is one of the great coming-of-age novels of our time. Reviews of Sick of Being Me "Sean Egan has taken a clichéd formula (a coming-of-age story with a rock 'n' roll backdrop and a heroin-fuelled sting in the tale) and turned it into something of a quiet masterpiece.” ~ Melissa Blease, 'Venue' "...compelling but painful reading. The story of a talented guitarist’s quest for stardom is told with an at times shocking candour… " ~ Colin Irwin, ITV Teletext “…an excellent first novel that is both well-crafted and authentic ... There's something of Roddy Doyle's gritty realism in the dialogue, and his harrowing descriptions of junkiedom rival Irving Welsh ... A snorting good read.” ~ Nigel Williamson, ‘Uncut’ "This is pop-fiction with a difference; insightful and affecting - and one of the best books of its genre out there.” ~ Joy Fillingham, What's On UK “I found myself gripped by the life, experiences and feelings of Hazelwood ... In a nutshell, Egan writes his ass off in a fine effort. ~ John Koenig, ‘Discoveries’ “Sick of Being Me finally gives rock ‘n’ roll the work of fiction it has always deserved ... His in-depth knowledge of the music industry has worked brilliantly with his eye for gritty, urban detail.” ~ Simon Netherwood, alive.co.uk “…a harrowing tale, grippingly told. Descriptions of the junkie’s lot are graphic, while the struggling muso backdrop is, by and large, spot-on.” ~ Neville Marten, ‘Ink’ “…succeeds in evoking the spirit of rock and the belief that it can save lives ... a fun read for those yet to live the dream.” ~ Jason Draper, ‘Record Collector’ "…a shockingly real ride through the dirtiness of addiction and denial and egotism told with the sure-eyed realism of a practicing journalist." ~ John Aiello, The Electric Review “A positively uncomfortable, but totally essential and ultimately satisfying read, it will challenge your perceptions on many levels. Recommended without reservation.” ~ Mark Hoaksey, ‘Powerplay’ “…more gut-level believable than many real-life rock bios ... consistently engaging… ~ Mike Stax, ‘Ugly Things’

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

A freelance journalist, author and editor who writes about arts and entertainment (music, film, TV, comics and literature), social history (20th and 21st centuries) and sport (soccer and tennis history).

Reviews

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it was quite new, so a long time ago! I wouldn't usually write a review but I'm sad that it has none. This was a book that stood out for me as a teenager, one of my favourites. I read it from the library then made a point of buying a copy because it impressed me that much. It was a very real coming of age story. Highly recommended!