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Кой уби Джон Ленън?
Късно вечерта на 8 декември 1980 година, когато се разчува новината, че в Ню Йорк хладнокръвно са застреляли най-обичаната рок-звезда на света, планетата спира да се върти за милиони хора. В своето увлекателно изследване популярния музикален биограф и журналист Лесли-Ан Джоунс разкрива загадката, за да представи по неповторим начин пълен портрет на мъжа, неговия живот, връзки, ненавременната му смърт и вечното му музикално наследство.
Разгръщайки историческите пластове, Джоунс проследява възходите и паденията в професионалния и в личния живот, които принуждават Ленън да се премести в Ню Йорк, където в онази съдбовна зимна нощ е застрелян на улицата пред дома си. Но кой или какво всъщност го уби? И кога умря "истинският" Джон Ленън?
Четири десетилетия след трагичната му смърт, с помощта на лични проучвания, невиждани досега снимки и ексклузивни интервюта с онези, които са познавали Ленън най-добре, авторовото търсене на отговори ни предлага завладяващ, 360-градусов обзор на една от нашите най-знакови музикални легенди. Джоунс черпи информация от изумително богат архив, натрупан от проведените през годините интервюта с хора, свързани с Ленън, включително първата му съпруга Синтия, първородния му син Джулиън, колегата му от Бийтълс сър Пол Маккартни, бившата приятелка на Джон Мей Панг и Анди Пийбълс, последният британски радиоводещ, който го интервюира няколко дни преди да бъде убит. За Бийтълс и Джон Ленън са написани безброй книги, но никога досега не е имало точно такава.
Разгръщайки историческите пластове, Джоунс проследява възходите и паденията в професионалния и в личния живот, които принуждават Ленън да се премести в Ню Йорк, където в онази съдбовна зимна нощ е застрелян на улицата пред дома си. Но кой или какво всъщност го уби? И кога умря "истинският" Джон Ленън?
Четири десетилетия след трагичната му смърт, с помощта на лични проучвания, невиждани досега снимки и ексклузивни интервюта с онези, които са познавали Ленън най-добре, авторовото търсене на отговори ни предлага завладяващ, 360-градусов обзор на една от нашите най-знакови музикални легенди. Джоунс черпи информация от изумително богат архив, натрупан от проведените през годините интервюта с хора, свързани с Ленън, включително първата му съпруга Синтия, първородния му син Джулиън, колегата му от Бийтълс сър Пол Маккартни, бившата приятелка на Джон Мей Панг и Анди Пийбълс, последният британски радиоводещ, който го интервюира няколко дни преди да бъде убит. За Бийтълс и Джон Ленън са написани безброй книги, но никога досега не е имало точно такава.
- GenresNonfictionBiographyMusic
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
32 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Lesley-Ann Jones
30 books86 followersLesley-Ann Jones is a British biographer, novelist, broadcaster and keynote speaker.
She honed her craft on Fleet Street, where she worked as a newspaper columnist and feature writer for more than twenty years. She has also worked extensively in radio and television, appears regularly in music documentaries in the UK, USA and Australia, and is the writer and co-producer of ‘The Last Lennon Interview’, a film about the final encounter, in New York, between the former Beatle and BBC Radio One presenter Andy Peebles.
Her debut memoir ‘Tumbling Dice’ is out now.
NB: the cover of TUMBLING DICE displayed here is NOT the current, correct one, but is of an edition that was never published! It appears to be impossible to change it! The ISBN for the CORRECT, CURRENT VERSION is 978109175
First serialisation rights for TUMBLING DICE were acquired by the Mail on Sunday UK, published across four pages on 7th April 2019. Second serial went to The Times, UK, featured as a double-page spread on 10th April.
The author’s interview with US ABC Radio network is syndicated to 2,000 stations across the United States. She has discussed the book on most BBC local stations, including BBC York, Northampton, Guernsey, Cornwall, Solent, Hereford & Worcester, Derby and Oxford. Live radio exposure continues over the coming weeks, with BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms Show, Wandsworth Radio, Express FM’s The Soft Rock Show, K107FM Scotland, Wycombe Sound, Camglen Radio (Scotland), the Sticks Radio Show & podcast, BBC Radio Kent, Radio Caroline, Talk Radio’s The Paul Ross Show and Talk Radio Europe’s Bill Padley Show.
Lesley-Ann Jones’s agents are currently negotiating with two independent production majors on a screen adaptation of TUMBLING DICE.
Other recent works include ‘Hero: David Bowie’, ‘Imagine’, and ‘Ride a White Swan: The Lives and Death of Marc Bolan’. Her globally-acclaimed definitive biography of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, re-issued in 2019 as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, is a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. The book accompanies the band’s long-awaited eponymous feature film, the highest-grossing music biopic of all time.
The author is currently working on two further titles, for publication in 2020.
She is a mother of three, and lives in London.
She honed her craft on Fleet Street, where she worked as a newspaper columnist and feature writer for more than twenty years. She has also worked extensively in radio and television, appears regularly in music documentaries in the UK, USA and Australia, and is the writer and co-producer of ‘The Last Lennon Interview’, a film about the final encounter, in New York, between the former Beatle and BBC Radio One presenter Andy Peebles.
Her debut memoir ‘Tumbling Dice’ is out now.
NB: the cover of TUMBLING DICE displayed here is NOT the current, correct one, but is of an edition that was never published! It appears to be impossible to change it! The ISBN for the CORRECT, CURRENT VERSION is 978109175
First serialisation rights for TUMBLING DICE were acquired by the Mail on Sunday UK, published across four pages on 7th April 2019. Second serial went to The Times, UK, featured as a double-page spread on 10th April.
The author’s interview with US ABC Radio network is syndicated to 2,000 stations across the United States. She has discussed the book on most BBC local stations, including BBC York, Northampton, Guernsey, Cornwall, Solent, Hereford & Worcester, Derby and Oxford. Live radio exposure continues over the coming weeks, with BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms Show, Wandsworth Radio, Express FM’s The Soft Rock Show, K107FM Scotland, Wycombe Sound, Camglen Radio (Scotland), the Sticks Radio Show & podcast, BBC Radio Kent, Radio Caroline, Talk Radio’s The Paul Ross Show and Talk Radio Europe’s Bill Padley Show.
Lesley-Ann Jones’s agents are currently negotiating with two independent production majors on a screen adaptation of TUMBLING DICE.
Other recent works include ‘Hero: David Bowie’, ‘Imagine’, and ‘Ride a White Swan: The Lives and Death of Marc Bolan’. Her globally-acclaimed definitive biography of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, re-issued in 2019 as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, is a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. The book accompanies the band’s long-awaited eponymous feature film, the highest-grossing music biopic of all time.
The author is currently working on two further titles, for publication in 2020.
She is a mother of three, and lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 10, 2022
Moram napomenuti da nisam upućena u život Beatlesa. Ovo mi je prvi bliži susret s jednim od njih i to baš s najinteresantnijim. „John Lennon, onaj razdražljivi, inteligentni, najdovitljiviji i najtalentiraniji, bio je Beatle kojeg su svi najviše voljeli.“
Sve se to tako lijepo čini izvana, kao i uvijek, da bismo onda malo zagrebali površinu i naišli na puno onoga što se drugačije ne bi vidjelo. „Priča koju je povijest zabilježila kao neponovljivi uspjeh, iza reflektora je izgledala posve drugačije. Oduzela im je slobodu, uništila osobnost, dovela u pitanje njihov razum i umalo im usisala dušu.“
Često mi je bilo žao članova jer se nisu ni snašli u cijeloj novonastaloj sitauacji, a najčešće bi pod pritiskom okoline puno toga lošega isplivalo van i iskreno me iznenadilo. Lennon je bio stvarno težak karakter i pod stresom nije baš uspijevao biti zlatni dečko kako su ga svi vidjeli. „Znamo da je fizički zlostavljao suprugu, znamo da je bio emocionalni zlostavljač – osobito prema sinu Julianu – licemjer i patološki lažljivac; da je prepravljao vlastiti život i pri tome često sam sebi bi proturječan.“
No, da je bio duhovit, bio je. Sigurna sam da je u društvu bio omiljen jer je tada bio svoj, sjajio u centru pažnje. „Kada ih je novinar pitao koliko im smeta što se ne čuju dok pjevaju i sviraju, John mu je odgovorio: - Ne smeta nam. Imamo ploče kod kuće.“
Ovo je samo par crtica iz knjige koje sam si htjela zabilježiti, a vi ako želite više doznati o Lennonu i „tko ga je ubio“, znate što vam je činiti.
Sve se to tako lijepo čini izvana, kao i uvijek, da bismo onda malo zagrebali površinu i naišli na puno onoga što se drugačije ne bi vidjelo. „Priča koju je povijest zabilježila kao neponovljivi uspjeh, iza reflektora je izgledala posve drugačije. Oduzela im je slobodu, uništila osobnost, dovela u pitanje njihov razum i umalo im usisala dušu.“
Često mi je bilo žao članova jer se nisu ni snašli u cijeloj novonastaloj sitauacji, a najčešće bi pod pritiskom okoline puno toga lošega isplivalo van i iskreno me iznenadilo. Lennon je bio stvarno težak karakter i pod stresom nije baš uspijevao biti zlatni dečko kako su ga svi vidjeli. „Znamo da je fizički zlostavljao suprugu, znamo da je bio emocionalni zlostavljač – osobito prema sinu Julianu – licemjer i patološki lažljivac; da je prepravljao vlastiti život i pri tome često sam sebi bi proturječan.“
No, da je bio duhovit, bio je. Sigurna sam da je u društvu bio omiljen jer je tada bio svoj, sjajio u centru pažnje. „Kada ih je novinar pitao koliko im smeta što se ne čuju dok pjevaju i sviraju, John mu je odgovorio: - Ne smeta nam. Imamo ploče kod kuće.“
Ovo je samo par crtica iz knjige koje sam si htjela zabilježiti, a vi ako želite više doznati o Lennonu i „tko ga je ubio“, znate što vam je činiti.
January 8, 2021
Lennon, kobiety i numerologia
Nie wierzę w magię liczb. Te całe "ósmy stycznia to zły dzień na zaczynanie nowych przedsięwzięć" albo "jesteś numerologiczną czwórką, więc unikaj jedzenia boczku w środy".
Uważam za to, że niektóre cyfry, czy raczej składające się z nich daty, są świętym pretekstem do upamiętniania wydarzeń, czy zjawisk, szczególnie takich, którym grozi osunięcie się w niepamięć lub mitologizacja, a podobno "dzisiejsza młodzież coraz słabiej kojarzy Beatlesów i wpływ jaki wywarli na kulturę. Można powiedzieć, że w porządku: jak śpiewał poeta "każde pokolenie ma własny czas" i tak dalej.
Skąd ten przydługi matematyczny wstęp? Jak wyliczyła autorka niniejszej książki w 2020 roku John Lennon obchodziłby osiemdziesiąte urodziny, mija okrągła czterdziesta rocznica zabójstwa muzyka, na dokładkę mija sześćdziesiąta rocznica założenia the Beatles w Hamburgu i zarazem pięćdziesiąta rozwiązania zespołu. Trudno o lepszą "koniunkcję".
Chociaż zdjęcia tego nie oddają, książka jest pięknie wydana, i obcowanie z tym opasłym to tomiszczem to przyjemność. Twarda oprawa jest gruba jak blanki zamku w Malborku, do tego w środku znalazło się miejsce na dwie "śliskie" wkładki z kolorowymi zdjęciami, no i edytorsko pierwsza klasa - od razu widać, że wydawnictwo ciepło pomyślało, o fanach Czwórki z Liverpoolu i ich biblioteczkach i nie ma tu miejsca na dyskusję książka papierowa, czy ebook - papier bije kilobajty.
Przejdźmy do tego co między okładkami. Książka podzielona jest na dwadzieścia jeden chronologicznie ułożonych rozdziałów. Lesley - Ann Jones zaczyna od dziadków i rodziców, by powoli przejść do samego Johna i po kolei opisać kolejne etapy jego życia, tak muzycznego, jak i prywatnego. Książkę kończy sześć krótkich i zupełnie moim zdaniem niepotrzebnych (może poza kalendarium i przypisami) części, z których dowiadujemy się co inni sądzą o beatlesach, albo jakie piosenki Beatlesów autorka lubi najbardziej, co niepotrzebnie pompuje książkę.
"Kto zabił Johna Lennona" nie jest do biografią artysty, ani w żadnym razie jego mordercy. Zdecydowanie bliżej jej do reportażu. Pytanie w tytule należy traktować retorycznie, lub raczej jako przyczynek do rozważań nad osobowością Lennona i jego związkach uczuciowych z rodziną, przyjaciółmi, ale przede wszystkim związkach z kobietami , nie tylko miłosnymi (Cynthia, Yoko), ale (może przede wszystkim) rodzinnymi, i muszę przyznać, że zagłębianie się w czyjąś osobowość, czasami bardzo głęboko, było fascynujące. W książce znajdziemy również wiele rozmów z osobami, które znały Johna, jego współpracownikami, czy z byłą żoną Cynthią, chociaż niestety zabrakło tych najważniejszych rozmówców mianowicie Paula McCartneya i Ringo Starra.
Książka jest też świetnym opisem epoki Beatlesów co z jednej strony pozwoli się czytelnikowi nie znającemu za bardzo historii zespołu odnaleźć się w ich czasach, ale też zobrazować zmiany jakie dokonali (świadomie, czy nie) w kulturze.
Co irytuje w "Kto zabił..." to często stosowany przez autorkę zabieg polegający na stawianiu pytań w rodzaju "co wtedy czuł John?" wraz z idącymi za nimi odpowiedziami, że "musiał czuć to i tamto", co sugeruje czytelnikowi pewien punkt widzenia, oraz to, że rozmówcy Jones zawsze zdawali się potwierdzać jej tezę, obojętnie o co by ich nie zapytała, no i jej dziwna awersja do McCartneya.
Czy fani Czwórki z Liverpoolu znajdą w tej książce jakieś nowe fakty o Lennonie swoim ulubionym zespole? Myślę, że analiza osobowości Lennona może okazać się ciekawa, natomiast jeśli chodzi o fakty raczej nie, za to dla czytelników umiarkowanie zainteresowanych Beatlesami lektura "Kto zabił..." może okazać się niezwykle interesująca, szczególnie, że Lesley - Ann Jones ma niezwykle lekkie pióro, dzięki czemu lektura naprawdę potrafi wciągnąć, w każdym razie autorka odwaliła kawał dobrej roboty
Książkę otrzymałem z "klubu recenzenta" portalu nakanapie.pl
Nie wierzę w magię liczb. Te całe "ósmy stycznia to zły dzień na zaczynanie nowych przedsięwzięć" albo "jesteś numerologiczną czwórką, więc unikaj jedzenia boczku w środy".
Uważam za to, że niektóre cyfry, czy raczej składające się z nich daty, są świętym pretekstem do upamiętniania wydarzeń, czy zjawisk, szczególnie takich, którym grozi osunięcie się w niepamięć lub mitologizacja, a podobno "dzisiejsza młodzież coraz słabiej kojarzy Beatlesów i wpływ jaki wywarli na kulturę. Można powiedzieć, że w porządku: jak śpiewał poeta "każde pokolenie ma własny czas" i tak dalej.
Skąd ten przydługi matematyczny wstęp? Jak wyliczyła autorka niniejszej książki w 2020 roku John Lennon obchodziłby osiemdziesiąte urodziny, mija okrągła czterdziesta rocznica zabójstwa muzyka, na dokładkę mija sześćdziesiąta rocznica założenia the Beatles w Hamburgu i zarazem pięćdziesiąta rozwiązania zespołu. Trudno o lepszą "koniunkcję".
Chociaż zdjęcia tego nie oddają, książka jest pięknie wydana, i obcowanie z tym opasłym to tomiszczem to przyjemność. Twarda oprawa jest gruba jak blanki zamku w Malborku, do tego w środku znalazło się miejsce na dwie "śliskie" wkładki z kolorowymi zdjęciami, no i edytorsko pierwsza klasa - od razu widać, że wydawnictwo ciepło pomyślało, o fanach Czwórki z Liverpoolu i ich biblioteczkach i nie ma tu miejsca na dyskusję książka papierowa, czy ebook - papier bije kilobajty.
Przejdźmy do tego co między okładkami. Książka podzielona jest na dwadzieścia jeden chronologicznie ułożonych rozdziałów. Lesley - Ann Jones zaczyna od dziadków i rodziców, by powoli przejść do samego Johna i po kolei opisać kolejne etapy jego życia, tak muzycznego, jak i prywatnego. Książkę kończy sześć krótkich i zupełnie moim zdaniem niepotrzebnych (może poza kalendarium i przypisami) części, z których dowiadujemy się co inni sądzą o beatlesach, albo jakie piosenki Beatlesów autorka lubi najbardziej, co niepotrzebnie pompuje książkę.
"Kto zabił Johna Lennona" nie jest do biografią artysty, ani w żadnym razie jego mordercy. Zdecydowanie bliżej jej do reportażu. Pytanie w tytule należy traktować retorycznie, lub raczej jako przyczynek do rozważań nad osobowością Lennona i jego związkach uczuciowych z rodziną, przyjaciółmi, ale przede wszystkim związkach z kobietami , nie tylko miłosnymi (Cynthia, Yoko), ale (może przede wszystkim) rodzinnymi, i muszę przyznać, że zagłębianie się w czyjąś osobowość, czasami bardzo głęboko, było fascynujące. W książce znajdziemy również wiele rozmów z osobami, które znały Johna, jego współpracownikami, czy z byłą żoną Cynthią, chociaż niestety zabrakło tych najważniejszych rozmówców mianowicie Paula McCartneya i Ringo Starra.
Książka jest też świetnym opisem epoki Beatlesów co z jednej strony pozwoli się czytelnikowi nie znającemu za bardzo historii zespołu odnaleźć się w ich czasach, ale też zobrazować zmiany jakie dokonali (świadomie, czy nie) w kulturze.
Co irytuje w "Kto zabił..." to często stosowany przez autorkę zabieg polegający na stawianiu pytań w rodzaju "co wtedy czuł John?" wraz z idącymi za nimi odpowiedziami, że "musiał czuć to i tamto", co sugeruje czytelnikowi pewien punkt widzenia, oraz to, że rozmówcy Jones zawsze zdawali się potwierdzać jej tezę, obojętnie o co by ich nie zapytała, no i jej dziwna awersja do McCartneya.
Czy fani Czwórki z Liverpoolu znajdą w tej książce jakieś nowe fakty o Lennonie swoim ulubionym zespole? Myślę, że analiza osobowości Lennona może okazać się ciekawa, natomiast jeśli chodzi o fakty raczej nie, za to dla czytelników umiarkowanie zainteresowanych Beatlesami lektura "Kto zabił..." może okazać się niezwykle interesująca, szczególnie, że Lesley - Ann Jones ma niezwykle lekkie pióro, dzięki czemu lektura naprawdę potrafi wciągnąć, w każdym razie autorka odwaliła kawał dobrej roboty
Książkę otrzymałem z "klubu recenzenta" portalu nakanapie.pl
September 7, 2021
"Ние сме по-популярни от Исус Христос"
В средата на 60-те това е бил реален казус, изречени думи от Ленън. Може би перчене на рокаджия, може би философия, най-малко от това има общо с религията. Бийтълс не са първият глобален поп феномен в музиката. Все пак вече го има Елвис. Но пък, дали не са най-яркият феномен. Повлиял най-много хора от най-различни поколения.
Мога да кажа за себе си, че първите англоезични песни, по които се заслушах и харесвах беше действително тяхна касетка. Говорим някъде за 8-9 годишна възраст, време 25 години след разпадането на групата и 15 след смъртта на Джон Ленън. За това време, нищо по-добро не се беше появило ... въпрос на вкус е дали така е и днес. Yesterday е първата песен, на която съм научил думите, макар и да не съм разбирал всяка от тях тогава. Просто музиката е толкова мелодична, че се свързва със слушателя на някакво неосезаемо ниво. Уж едни простички текстове, а пък цяла философия. И по-ранните им композиции действително са простички, но за сметка на това пък запомнящи. Припомних си всичко това с тази книга.
После, не съм се интересувал чак толкова фанатично от историята на бандата или продължението на Джон след разпада ѝ. Та много от нещата бяха новост за мен. Доста бурен рок живот са водили още от онези години, когато си представяме едни по-кротки и спретнати музиканти. Мне ... съвсем не. Това прелюбодейства, наркотици и експерименти от всякакво естество. Нещо повече - надали има друг изпълнител / група, които да са прекратили концертирането си на живо, поради простия факт, че вече не са могли да чуват какво пеят от истеричните викове на фенките в публиката. От един момент нататък Бийтълс става само група, издаваща студийни записи. Може и това да е началото на края им. Нищо чудно, че популярността им се е сравнявало с тази на месията.
Книгата е основно за Джон. Но най-малко от всичко е за това "Кой го е убил". Това е ясно и дори метафоричния въпрос не е на преден план. По-скоро е за неговото търсене и безкрайни метаморфози. Като цяло бих я оценил като стремеж към обективното. С преки сведения на очевидци и хора от вътрешния кръг, извадки от интервюта и публични изяви, както и от автобиографии на част от замесените лица, като бившата му съпруга, например. За Йоко също има доста намеци в една и друга посока, но пак си под общия знаменател на стремеж към обективизма.
Не ми допадна стилът на авторката. Той е като за статия в поп списание. Така са конструирани изреченията и цялата мисъл въобще. Интересна история, но не предадена в стил, който да ми допадне. През цялото време имах чувството точно, че чета (слушам) много дълга статия. Може и на английски това да звучи добре като стил, но преведено - някак неорганично. Някак не в желаната дълбочина. Без да обвинявам преводача, най-вероятно такъв е оригиналният материал.
Признавам, че последните няколко дни "Strawberry Fields Forever" ми се е набила сериозно в главата и дори сега си я слушам, докато пиша ревюто.
"Living is easy with eyes closed"
"Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about"
В средата на 60-те това е бил реален казус, изречени думи от Ленън. Може би перчене на рокаджия, може би философия, най-малко от това има общо с религията. Бийтълс не са първият глобален поп феномен в музиката. Все пак вече го има Елвис. Но пък, дали не са най-яркият феномен. Повлиял най-много хора от най-различни поколения.
Мога да кажа за себе си, че първите англоезични песни, по които се заслушах и харесвах беше действително тяхна касетка. Говорим някъде за 8-9 годишна възраст, време 25 години след разпадането на групата и 15 след смъртта на Джон Ленън. За това време, нищо по-добро не се беше появило ... въпрос на вкус е дали така е и днес. Yesterday е първата песен, на която съм научил думите, макар и да не съм разбирал всяка от тях тогава. Просто музиката е толкова мелодична, че се свързва със слушателя на някакво неосезаемо ниво. Уж едни простички текстове, а пък цяла философия. И по-ранните им композиции действително са простички, но за сметка на това пък запомнящи. Припомних си всичко това с тази книга.
После, не съм се интересувал чак толкова фанатично от историята на бандата или продължението на Джон след разпада ѝ. Та много от нещата бяха новост за мен. Доста бурен рок живот са водили още от онези години, когато си представяме едни по-кротки и спретнати музиканти. Мне ... съвсем не. Това прелюбодейства, наркотици и експерименти от всякакво естество. Нещо повече - надали има друг изпълнител / група, които да са прекратили концертирането си на живо, поради простия факт, че вече не са могли да чуват какво пеят от истеричните викове на фенките в публиката. От един момент нататък Бийтълс става само група, издаваща студийни записи. Може и това да е началото на края им. Нищо чудно, че популярността им се е сравнявало с тази на месията.
Книгата е основно за Джон. Но най-малко от всичко е за това "Кой го е убил". Това е ясно и дори метафоричния въпрос не е на преден план. По-скоро е за неговото търсене и безкрайни метаморфози. Като цяло бих я оценил като стремеж към обективното. С преки сведения на очевидци и хора от вътрешния кръг, извадки от интервюта и публични изяви, както и от автобиографии на част от замесените лица, като бившата му съпруга, например. За Йоко също има доста намеци в една и друга посока, но пак си под общия знаменател на стремеж към обективизма.
Не ми допадна стилът на авторката. Той е като за статия в поп списание. Така са конструирани изреченията и цялата мисъл въобще. Интересна история, но не предадена в стил, който да ми допадне. През цялото време имах чувството точно, че чета (слушам) много дълга статия. Може и на английски това да звучи добре като стил, но преведено - някак неорганично. Някак не в желаната дълбочина. Без да обвинявам преводача, най-вероятно такъв е оригиналният материал.
Признавам, че последните няколко дни "Strawberry Fields Forever" ми се е набила сериозно в главата и дори сега си я слушам, докато пиша ревюто.
"Living is easy with eyes closed"
"Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about"
January 19, 2023
Просто се помолете за него – каза Джордж Харисън, прегърнал съсипания най-добър приятел на Джон, Пийт, в онзи най-дълъг ден, който промени всички дни. – Мислете за него. Той бе прогонен от тялото си, нали? Но той все още е тук. Той е добре, просто продължи напред. Всички ние ще тръгнем натам някой ден. Тялото няма нищо общо с истинското ни Аз. То просто е нещо материално, което трябва да разхождаме наоколо за известно време. След това преминаваме към други неща.
Животът продължава. Затова не мислете постоянно за смъртта му. Трябва да помним живота му. Той е важен.
Да кажа просто, че обичам Бийтълс, би било крайно недостатъчно. Връзката ми с тяхната музика е нещо много повече. В живота ми има много моменти, които са преминали под звуците на великолепието, сътворено от Джон, Пол, Джордж и Ринго. Затова просто нямаше как да не прочета тази книга. И макар да знам много неща за Ленън, тази книга успя да ми покаже още толкова много от живота на един от най-великите хора в музикалната история.
Не се подлъгвайте от заглавието, книгата далеч не се фокусира единствено върху смъртта на Джон Ленън, а обхваща целия (макар и тъжно кратък) живот на един чешит, който иска да промени света с музиката си, да се стреми към нещо различно, нещо ново, нещо невиждано. И който успява да го направи.
Книгата не беше брилятно написана, на много места обърквше, на други много си противоречеше. Но всичко, що се отнася до Джон, за мен е нещо ценно и интересно.
Няма да влизам в детайли – тези, които не се интересуват от Бийтълс, няма да се трогнат от думите ми, а тези, които биха прочели нещо такова, е по-добре сами да се сблъскат с всичко, което тази книга ще ви каже.
Животът продължава. Затова не мислете постоянно за смъртта му. Трябва да помним живота му. Той е важен.
Да кажа просто, че обичам Бийтълс, би било крайно недостатъчно. Връзката ми с тяхната музика е нещо много повече. В живота ми има много моменти, които са преминали под звуците на великолепието, сътворено от Джон, Пол, Джордж и Ринго. Затова просто нямаше как да не прочета тази книга. И макар да знам много неща за Ленън, тази книга успя да ми покаже още толкова много от живота на един от най-великите хора в музикалната история.
Не се подлъгвайте от заглавието, книгата далеч не се фокусира единствено върху смъртта на Джон Ленън, а обхваща целия (макар и тъжно кратък) живот на един чешит, който иска да промени света с музиката си, да се стреми към нещо различно, нещо ново, нещо невиждано. И който успява да го направи.
Книгата не беше брилятно написана, на много места обърквше, на други много си противоречеше. Но всичко, що се отнася до Джон, за мен е нещо ценно и интересно.
Няма да влизам в детайли – тези, които не се интересуват от Бийтълс, няма да се трогнат от думите ми, а тези, които биха прочели нещо такова, е по-добре сами да се сблъскат с всичко, което тази книга ще ви каже.
May 28, 2021
Zbytočne veľa príloh a zbytočne veľa samotnej autorky je v tejto knihe.Inak znesiteľná biografia, dozvedela som sa veľa nového, ale pokojne by to šlo aj bez tych sugestívnych omáčok a rečníckych otázok.
Málokedy som vďačná, že kniha (už konečne) končí. Teraz sa mi to však stalo, niečo medzi nami nefungovalo tak, ako by malo.
Málokedy som vďačná, že kniha (už konečne) končí. Teraz sa mi to však stalo, niečo medzi nami nefungovalo tak, ako by malo.
October 1, 2020
Who killed John Lennon?
This is her Best Book Yet!
Timely conceived and comprehensively researched book on John Lennon, remembering 40 years since his untimely death and also his 80th birthday. This is such an amazing and truthful record from Lesley-Ann Jones who has much experience of writing wonderful biographies such as Bohemian Rhapsody, David Bowie, Marc Bolan and others.
I feel that this is definitely her best and know that although never having met John Lennon, she has researched this so incredibly well having known Cynthia Lennon, George Martin, Klaus Voorman, Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney and so many of John Lennon's close friends and associates.
Lesley_Ann Jones presents the facts so clearly and the results are amazing and thought-provoking. She describes the challenges he endured with his family, the effects on his personality, behaviour, relationships, and motivation so clearly whilst still paying homage to his creative genius also. The book is incredibly well written and must have taken a lot of work to research and write. The result is a fresh look at the successes and challenges of the prominent member of Britain's most successful band and the effects that success had on him, his bandmates and their families and friends.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough for it's factual content, the writing style which is sublime and so well presented, it's honesty and celebration of John Lennon's life.I love the open question 'Who Killed John Lennon?' I thoroughly recommend you read the book and decide for yourself.
This is her Best Book Yet!
Timely conceived and comprehensively researched book on John Lennon, remembering 40 years since his untimely death and also his 80th birthday. This is such an amazing and truthful record from Lesley-Ann Jones who has much experience of writing wonderful biographies such as Bohemian Rhapsody, David Bowie, Marc Bolan and others.
I feel that this is definitely her best and know that although never having met John Lennon, she has researched this so incredibly well having known Cynthia Lennon, George Martin, Klaus Voorman, Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney and so many of John Lennon's close friends and associates.
Lesley_Ann Jones presents the facts so clearly and the results are amazing and thought-provoking. She describes the challenges he endured with his family, the effects on his personality, behaviour, relationships, and motivation so clearly whilst still paying homage to his creative genius also. The book is incredibly well written and must have taken a lot of work to research and write. The result is a fresh look at the successes and challenges of the prominent member of Britain's most successful band and the effects that success had on him, his bandmates and their families and friends.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough for it's factual content, the writing style which is sublime and so well presented, it's honesty and celebration of John Lennon's life.I love the open question 'Who Killed John Lennon?' I thoroughly recommend you read the book and decide for yourself.
January 14, 2021
„Кой уби Джон Ленън?“ в превод на Мирела Стефанова е спиращо дъха четиво за живота, любовите и смъртта на най-великата рокзвезда. Книгата проследява възходите и паденията в професионалния и в личния живот, които принуждават Ленън да се премести в Ню Йорк, където в онази съдбовна зимна нощ на 1980 година е застрелян на улицата пред дома си. Но кой или какво всъщност го уби? И кога умря „истинският“ Джон Ленън? Четири десетилетия след трагичната му смърт, с помощта на лични проучвания, невиждани досега снимки и ексклузивни интервюта с онези, които са познавали Ленън най-добре, Лесли-Ан Джоунс ни предлага завладяващ, 360-градусов обзор на една от знаковите музикални легенди. Авторката черпи информация от изумително богат архив, натрупан от проведените през годините интервюта с хора, свързани с Ленън, включително първата му съпруга Синтия, първородния му син Джулиън, колегата му от Бийтълс сър Пол Маккартни, бившата приятелка на Джон Мей Панг и Анди Пийбълс, последния британски радиоводещ, който го интервюира няколко дни преди да бъде убит. За Бийтълс и Джон Ленън са написани безброй книги, но никога досега не е имало точно такава.
Лесли-Ан Джоунс тръгва към Флийт Стрийт по стъпките на покойния си баща Кен Джоунс, известен спортен журналист. Изкарва там повече от двайсет и пет години, работейки като журналист и колумнист в повечето водещи вестници във Великобритания. Автор е на световните бестселъри Герой: Дейвид Боуи и Бохемска рапсодия. В своето увлекателно изследване за Джон Ленън популярната журналистка представя по неповторим начин пълен портрет на мъжа, неговия живот, връзки, ненавременната му смърт и вечното му музикално наследство.
Лесли-Ан Джоунс тръгва към Флийт Стрийт по стъпките на покойния си баща Кен Джоунс, известен спортен журналист. Изкарва там повече от двайсет и пет години, работейки като журналист и колумнист в повечето водещи вестници във Великобритания. Автор е на световните бестселъри Герой: Дейвид Боуи и Бохемска рапсодия. В своето увлекателно изследване за Джон Ленън популярната журналистка представя по неповторим начин пълен портрет на мъжа, неговия живот, връзки, ненавременната му смърт и вечното му музикално наследство.
January 6, 2024
Iznimno detaljna i bogata biografija jedne od najkompleksnijih glazbenih zvijezda čija autorica predstavlja sve moguće perspektive na njegov život i rad, umjesto da uzima narativ u kojem je on nepokvareni, nevin i savršen čovjek, ili pak onaj u potpunosti kontrastan. Fascinantno je čitati razne intervjue koje je vodila s njegovom obitelji i bliskim suradnicama, pogotovo u smislu njihovih interpretacija njegove glazbe i života, a sve je to posloženo na način da nikad ne dosadi, ili se ponavlja. Od kolijevke pa do groba, sve je tu, i, iskreno, iako ga sad bolje "poznajem", još sam više zbunjen oko toga kako da se osjećam prema njemu. Nesumnjivo, glazba mu je unikatna, revolucionarna i neponovljiva, ali ne mogu lagati da mi je čovjek iole simpatičan izvan svoje umjetnosti. Od zlostavljanja, zapostavljanja, božjeg kompleksa, narcisoidnosti, bezobrazluka i preljuba - Lennon nije nikakav svetac. Stoga mi je uvijek bilo glupo čuti da su se Beatlesi raspali jer se tu pojavila Yoko Ono. Oni su bili gotovi godinama prije toga. Dok imaš grupu četiri jednako iritiranih i napetih glazbenika koji jedni drugima jedva čekaju da skoče na vrat, to mora kad-tad završiti. Pravo je čudo da su uopće uspjeli snimiti toliko koliko su snimili! Knjiga je stvarno za svaku pohvalu kad je o tome riječ. Ne zauzimajući ničiju stranu, sve ih predstavlja objektivno, niže sve njihove mane i prednosti pa neka si čitatelj sam odluči kome će i čemu vjerovati. Svakako must-read za sve fanove grupe i naslovne legende, ali uživanje bi moglo ovisiti o tome koliko ste osobno vezani za imidž kojim su se "lažno" predstavljali, i likove koje su utjelovljivali - kako u filmovima, tako i na pozornici.
September 26, 2020
As an avid Beatles fan along with most of the world, I thought I had read everything there was to know about John Lennon. I was wrong. This is an excellent book, well written with some fascinating insights about John Lennon's life and who he was.
What made him the person he was? It's all here and written in a style that is both easy to read as well as captivating. It's worth noting that the people in the book actually met, worked with or interviewed John Lennon during his career either as a Beatle or a solo performer. Andy Peebles, the last British broadcaster to interview John Lennon before that fateful night in New York, adds some fascinating dialogue that as far as I know is unique to this book.
A thoroughly enjoyable read about the most iconic rock star in the world. If you're a Lennon/Beatles fan, you will definitely enjoy this book.
What made him the person he was? It's all here and written in a style that is both easy to read as well as captivating. It's worth noting that the people in the book actually met, worked with or interviewed John Lennon during his career either as a Beatle or a solo performer. Andy Peebles, the last British broadcaster to interview John Lennon before that fateful night in New York, adds some fascinating dialogue that as far as I know is unique to this book.
A thoroughly enjoyable read about the most iconic rock star in the world. If you're a Lennon/Beatles fan, you will definitely enjoy this book.
September 27, 2020
I have just finished reading this - everything is gearing up for John's 80th (or what would have been).
My favourite Beatle was Paul...but to understand The Beatles you have to consider John.
I learned quite a lot from this book, I had seen Anthology and remember him talking of Aunt Mimi and his marriage to Cynthia...but always assumed Yoko broke up the band.
I think the author has been very fair to John, telling his story and trying to delve into his complex personality - plenty of views are presented by many who shared their lives with John or were present during key moments.
As a woman I really appreciated a female perspective - highly recommend this book!
My favourite Beatle was Paul...but to understand The Beatles you have to consider John.
I learned quite a lot from this book, I had seen Anthology and remember him talking of Aunt Mimi and his marriage to Cynthia...but always assumed Yoko broke up the band.
I think the author has been very fair to John, telling his story and trying to delve into his complex personality - plenty of views are presented by many who shared their lives with John or were present during key moments.
As a woman I really appreciated a female perspective - highly recommend this book!
September 12, 2023
Na poziomie faktograficznym - świetna. Poznałem wiele nieznanych mi faktów z życia i twórczości Johna Lennona czy The Beatles. Faktów bardzo dla mnie ciekawych, bo należę do generacji, która się w pewnym sensie na Beatlesach wychowała. W tym mianowicie sensie, że wiem, że nie byłoby moich ulubionych White Stripes, RHCP a nawet RATM i wielu, wielu innych bez rewolucji w muzyce, jaką zrobili The Beatles. Zresztą nadal ich słucham często z przyjemnością i sentymentem (szczególnie od Rubber Soul w górę).
Bardzo ciekawy jest także rys psychologiczno-socjologiczny Lennona zarysowany w tej książce i - rzucona w sumie dość przypadkowo na końcu jednego z rozdziałów - konkluzja będąca odpowiedzią na pytanie zadanie w tytule.
Ale jednak... coś mnie w tej książce uwierało; jakiś narracyjny chaos; czasem zdania sformułowane tak dziwacznie, że trzeba je było przeczytać kilka razy, żeby coś zrozumieć i tak bez pewności, że rozumie się właściwie.
Na początku myślałem, że jest po prostu słabo napisana. Rozgrzeszyłem jednak autorkę, gdy trafiłem na kilka ewidentnych byków redakcyjno-tłumaczeniowych.
Szczytem wszystkiego była dyskografia The Beatles. Najpierw były ALBUMY THE BEATLES (bez uwag), ale potem nagle lista płyt, którą poprzedzał poetycki nagłówek: NAJLEPSZE SPOŚRÓD RESZTY... wtf!?!?
Oczywiście zgadłem o co chodzi... jasno wynika z tego, że albo tłumaczono w Google Translate, albo książkę o jednym z największym muzyków rockowych wszechczasów powierzono tłumaczowi, który nie ma pojęcia o muzyce. Nie tylko o Beatlesach, ale w ogóle, skoro nie wie, że THE BEST OF to po prostu składanka.
Jest to więc fajna ale totalnie niedorobiona książka: źle przetłumaczona, źle zredagowana, źle wydana na Kindla (niezliczona liczba literówek). Naciągane trzy z dwoma.
Bardzo ciekawy jest także rys psychologiczno-socjologiczny Lennona zarysowany w tej książce i - rzucona w sumie dość przypadkowo na końcu jednego z rozdziałów - konkluzja będąca odpowiedzią na pytanie zadanie w tytule.
Ale jednak... coś mnie w tej książce uwierało; jakiś narracyjny chaos; czasem zdania sformułowane tak dziwacznie, że trzeba je było przeczytać kilka razy, żeby coś zrozumieć i tak bez pewności, że rozumie się właściwie.
Na początku myślałem, że jest po prostu słabo napisana. Rozgrzeszyłem jednak autorkę, gdy trafiłem na kilka ewidentnych byków redakcyjno-tłumaczeniowych.
Szczytem wszystkiego była dyskografia The Beatles. Najpierw były ALBUMY THE BEATLES (bez uwag), ale potem nagle lista płyt, którą poprzedzał poetycki nagłówek: NAJLEPSZE SPOŚRÓD RESZTY... wtf!?!?
Oczywiście zgadłem o co chodzi... jasno wynika z tego, że albo tłumaczono w Google Translate, albo książkę o jednym z największym muzyków rockowych wszechczasów powierzono tłumaczowi, który nie ma pojęcia o muzyce. Nie tylko o Beatlesach, ale w ogóle, skoro nie wie, że THE BEST OF to po prostu składanka.
Jest to więc fajna ale totalnie niedorobiona książka: źle przetłumaczona, źle zredagowana, źle wydana na Kindla (niezliczona liczba literówek). Naciągane trzy z dwoma.
February 18, 2025
Read this because of external pressure. I shouldn't have. It ruined my ideal, pristine image I had of The Beatles and John Lennon. But I'm also glad I did read it, to stop prasing shitty people.
All I can say is that I felt Freud crawling in his grave while reading this. The mommy issues are through the roof.
This book is like a very thourough bibliography of Lennon and literally everyone who ever knew him. For the passioned ones, it might be a feast, but for me got very boring and highly unecessary sometimes.
Lennon had an unfortunate upbringing, combined with the toxic life in the entertainment industry. Obviously he was no angel. But oh GOD, what a mysoginistic, violent, garbage piece of shit he was.
John was an annoying walking contradiction - apart from his public declarations but in the way he chose to live his life. Jones says, 'he was a mountain of contradictions, a blend of good and bad guys' but I find it so fucking difficult to see what good guy he 'supposedly' was.
I'm sorry but going in vacation and having gay sex with your manager 3 days after your wife gives birth can never be redeemable in my eyes.
All I can say is that I felt Freud crawling in his grave while reading this. The mommy issues are through the roof.
This book is like a very thourough bibliography of Lennon and literally everyone who ever knew him. For the passioned ones, it might be a feast, but for me got very boring and highly unecessary sometimes.
Lennon had an unfortunate upbringing, combined with the toxic life in the entertainment industry. Obviously he was no angel. But oh GOD, what a mysoginistic, violent, garbage piece of shit he was.
John was an annoying walking contradiction - apart from his public declarations but in the way he chose to live his life. Jones says, 'he was a mountain of contradictions, a blend of good and bad guys' but I find it so fucking difficult to see what good guy he 'supposedly' was.
I'm sorry but going in vacation and having gay sex with your manager 3 days after your wife gives birth can never be redeemable in my eyes.
May 30, 2021
Lennon tuli nautittua äänikirjana ja toimi sellaisena ehkä paremmin, kuin mitä olisi toiminut luettuna. Kirja sisälsi hirvittävän määrän joutokäyntiä ja tyhjää superlatiivilätinää, joka alkoi polttaa kärsivällisyyttä kuunneltunakin, saati jos kirjan olisi lukenut sivu sivulta. Äänikirjan ensimmäisen tunnin ja kaksi viimeistä tuntia olisi voinut toimittaa melkein kokonaisuudessaan pois.
Jos aikoo lukea yhden Lennonin elämänkerran, niin tämä ei ole siihen paras valinta. Sen sijaan, jos haluaa saada tuoreen ja mielestäni aiempaa terveemmän näkökulman Lennonin rakkauselämään, niin silloin kannattaa poimia tämä kirja. Etenkin Cynthia Powell ja Yoko Ono saavat kirjassa todella paljon sivutilaa.
Jos aikoo lukea yhden Lennonin elämänkerran, niin tämä ei ole siihen paras valinta. Sen sijaan, jos haluaa saada tuoreen ja mielestäni aiempaa terveemmän näkökulman Lennonin rakkauselämään, niin silloin kannattaa poimia tämä kirja. Etenkin Cynthia Powell ja Yoko Ono saavat kirjassa todella paljon sivutilaa.
May 15, 2021
It’s been over twenty years since the news of the death of rock music legend, John Lennon, hit the media. Since that time the music scene has been replete with rumours, facts and suspicions concerning this icon’s life and death.
Lennon was a fabulous songwriter, poet and an integral part of The Beatles. For those not in the know, Lennon was the co-leader of the group, songwriter and rhythm guitarist. He was a shining star in life and an eternal rock legend in death. However, some of the facts about his life and death are still unclear. Lennon himself was notorious for changing stories about his past and embellishing memories of events. Who Killed John Lennon? The lives loves and deaths of the greatest Rockstar by Lesley -Ann Jones attempts to right the wrongs and set the record straight once and for all.
Lesley-Ann Jones credentials as an author on the subject of the music industry are unquestionable. Jones has a long history as a journalist and is a renowned author of novels and music biographies. Her works include Bohemian Rhapsody: The Definitive Biography of Freddie Mercury, Hero: David Bowie, and Ride a White Swan: The Lives & Deaths of Marc Bolan.
The content of Who Killed John Lennon is well research and includes interviews with friends and associates of Lennon, historical records, and industry insights. Many previously incorrectly stated facts and outright falsehoods are addressed and amended. This book covers the good, the bad and the ugly of Lennon’s psyche.
In addition to the story of his life and death, the book includes a comprehensive timeline, song listing, chapter notes, reference list and suggestions for further reading. The is a tasteful selection of photos spanning Lennon’s life, add to the depth of material included in this book.
As a fan of The Beatles and the history of modern music, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its insights into the music scene of the sixties and seventies. It is a compelling and fascinating book and is a hefty read, being jam-packed with facts from start to finish. I recommend taking your time to read through this one. It is a must for fans of musical biographies, of Lennon and of The Beatles.
I received a free copy of this book from Farrago in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Lennon was a fabulous songwriter, poet and an integral part of The Beatles. For those not in the know, Lennon was the co-leader of the group, songwriter and rhythm guitarist. He was a shining star in life and an eternal rock legend in death. However, some of the facts about his life and death are still unclear. Lennon himself was notorious for changing stories about his past and embellishing memories of events. Who Killed John Lennon? The lives loves and deaths of the greatest Rockstar by Lesley -Ann Jones attempts to right the wrongs and set the record straight once and for all.
Lesley-Ann Jones credentials as an author on the subject of the music industry are unquestionable. Jones has a long history as a journalist and is a renowned author of novels and music biographies. Her works include Bohemian Rhapsody: The Definitive Biography of Freddie Mercury, Hero: David Bowie, and Ride a White Swan: The Lives & Deaths of Marc Bolan.
The content of Who Killed John Lennon is well research and includes interviews with friends and associates of Lennon, historical records, and industry insights. Many previously incorrectly stated facts and outright falsehoods are addressed and amended. This book covers the good, the bad and the ugly of Lennon’s psyche.
In addition to the story of his life and death, the book includes a comprehensive timeline, song listing, chapter notes, reference list and suggestions for further reading. The is a tasteful selection of photos spanning Lennon’s life, add to the depth of material included in this book.
As a fan of The Beatles and the history of modern music, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its insights into the music scene of the sixties and seventies. It is a compelling and fascinating book and is a hefty read, being jam-packed with facts from start to finish. I recommend taking your time to read through this one. It is a must for fans of musical biographies, of Lennon and of The Beatles.
I received a free copy of this book from Farrago in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 18, 2024
Dear GoodRead admins, ever considered implementing an upgrade? Could we please sometimes give zero stars? Just a thought.
I wish I could give zero stars to this piece.
Only into 125 pages just yet but some incredible shit is already floating proudly on the surface.
Dude, this """""book""""" is crap on so many levels. Elaborate, fine, much wrought-on and a hellofaneffort-put-in crap. Dense, massive, deep, thorough shit, no innocent or neutral shit, no way. Extremely poorly writ sentences, proper brain-eating, destructive shit. The best bits are when the author haughtily poses as a self-appointed shrink. Hands up if you're into naive stating-the-obvious kind of triumph moments and empty, superficial conclusions, but at least high on self-importance and being full of yourself! Self-torture much? Here, I've found just the thing for you. It feels awful but at least it lasts long.
200 pages in:
Oh my bloody fuck, super cringy. I am suffering, suffering bad. Innit lucky I'm a masochist. Hard to believe even when you see it. The hell was she thinking.
300 pages in:
This is hard. I can't even cry no more, past that point. I am the victim of a book-specific OCD, physically incapable of leaving a book unfinished, not even when the reading is an obvious drag, not even when bullshit hurls itself at you at least one page out of five.
OH BOY. THIS BLOODY BOOK IS A PUNISHMENT. A PROPER MUDAFAKN PUNISHMENT.
My Beatles-PhD buddy reveals me details that clearly show this woman is factually wrong on at least two events per chapter, sometimes more. How's that for some icing on this awful-woeful-inedible cake? Blaaarrrggghhhhh.
PHYSICAL PAIN, I'M IN PHYSICAL PAIN. Why am I not reading Revolution in the Head, whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy - - -
320 pages
So fucking bad that it's finally flipped, so awful that I'm stratnig to ejnyo my pnai.
The End:
Over and out.
Ultimately the granite grey, empty, speechless pain, the bottomless, dark pit of sadness that John was shot wins and overrides everything. That is the bottom line.
He was born under the Great Conjunction, first house to top it all.
I wish I could give zero stars to this piece.
Only into 125 pages just yet but some incredible shit is already floating proudly on the surface.
Dude, this """""book""""" is crap on so many levels. Elaborate, fine, much wrought-on and a hellofaneffort-put-in crap. Dense, massive, deep, thorough shit, no innocent or neutral shit, no way. Extremely poorly writ sentences, proper brain-eating, destructive shit. The best bits are when the author haughtily poses as a self-appointed shrink. Hands up if you're into naive stating-the-obvious kind of triumph moments and empty, superficial conclusions, but at least high on self-importance and being full of yourself! Self-torture much? Here, I've found just the thing for you. It feels awful but at least it lasts long.
200 pages in:
Oh my bloody fuck, super cringy. I am suffering, suffering bad. Innit lucky I'm a masochist. Hard to believe even when you see it. The hell was she thinking.
300 pages in:
This is hard. I can't even cry no more, past that point. I am the victim of a book-specific OCD, physically incapable of leaving a book unfinished, not even when the reading is an obvious drag, not even when bullshit hurls itself at you at least one page out of five.
OH BOY. THIS BLOODY BOOK IS A PUNISHMENT. A PROPER MUDAFAKN PUNISHMENT.
My Beatles-PhD buddy reveals me details that clearly show this woman is factually wrong on at least two events per chapter, sometimes more. How's that for some icing on this awful-woeful-inedible cake? Blaaarrrggghhhhh.
PHYSICAL PAIN, I'M IN PHYSICAL PAIN. Why am I not reading Revolution in the Head, whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy - - -
320 pages
So fucking bad that it's finally flipped, so awful that I'm stratnig to ejnyo my pnai.
The End:
Over and out.
Ultimately the granite grey, empty, speechless pain, the bottomless, dark pit of sadness that John was shot wins and overrides everything. That is the bottom line.
He was born under the Great Conjunction, first house to top it all.
September 18, 2020
LA Jones has written biographies, definitive apparently, on Freddie Mercury and Marc Bolan.
She never interviewed John Lennon but now turns her attention to one of the world’s greatest, most revered artists and has written an unholy, underwhelming and entirely unnecessary account that she should have left well alone.
There aren’t many authors qualified to attempt a Beatle book, Barry Miles, Marc Lewisholm and George Martin are 3, also seek out Yoko's fabulous Imagine , but LA Jones offers us a Red top mishmash that is in equal measures difficult to believe and hard to take seriously. It offers us nothing interestingly factual that Lennon fans don’t already know, relies on hearsay, fictionalises history and is packed with innuendo and 2nd hand quotes written in the style of Jackie Collins. It is tawdry, tabloid, sleazy and seemingly intent on sullying John and causing offence to his family.
The continual insinuations and revelations made me feel queasy and distinctly uneasy.
Example-"He would look to Yoko for guidance and approval in most things, as a child looks to his mother. Tellingly, he called Yoko ‘Mother’. Previously, John had indulged his feverish s@@ drive whenever he liked. Now he had ‘only’ Yoko to satisfy his needs – and by her own assessment she was not sexually adventurous. John soon became bored."
LA Jones has friends in high tabloid places, by serialising the book and giving her space in their Sunday supplements it will sell a few copies. You will read and hear positive reviews written by Fleet St. and media friends like Mike 'the porkmeister' Parry and ex-colleagues from The Sun and The Daily Mail, which should be enough to put you off.
Save your money, spend it on a Lennon LP and read an authentic, intelligent account of one of the world's true icons.
She never interviewed John Lennon but now turns her attention to one of the world’s greatest, most revered artists and has written an unholy, underwhelming and entirely unnecessary account that she should have left well alone.
There aren’t many authors qualified to attempt a Beatle book, Barry Miles, Marc Lewisholm and George Martin are 3, also seek out Yoko's fabulous Imagine , but LA Jones offers us a Red top mishmash that is in equal measures difficult to believe and hard to take seriously. It offers us nothing interestingly factual that Lennon fans don’t already know, relies on hearsay, fictionalises history and is packed with innuendo and 2nd hand quotes written in the style of Jackie Collins. It is tawdry, tabloid, sleazy and seemingly intent on sullying John and causing offence to his family.
The continual insinuations and revelations made me feel queasy and distinctly uneasy.
Example-"He would look to Yoko for guidance and approval in most things, as a child looks to his mother. Tellingly, he called Yoko ‘Mother’. Previously, John had indulged his feverish s@@ drive whenever he liked. Now he had ‘only’ Yoko to satisfy his needs – and by her own assessment she was not sexually adventurous. John soon became bored."
LA Jones has friends in high tabloid places, by serialising the book and giving her space in their Sunday supplements it will sell a few copies. You will read and hear positive reviews written by Fleet St. and media friends like Mike 'the porkmeister' Parry and ex-colleagues from The Sun and The Daily Mail, which should be enough to put you off.
Save your money, spend it on a Lennon LP and read an authentic, intelligent account of one of the world's true icons.
Read
October 8, 2020Who Killed John Lennon is quite simply the best book I've ever read on John Lennon, or for that matter the Beatles. It's a masterpiece of the rock biography genre, a tour de force. It will be the go-to book for generations on that amazing and controversial man, group of men and that fabulous era. If you think you know everything there is to know about John and Yoko and the Beatles - as I did - you're wrong. Who Killed John Lennon will astonish and enlighten and delight you. A wonderful book and a must-have for anyone who either lived through the Lennon years or wishes to know the truth about them,
December 25, 2020
Excellent read.
Love the way this book takes not just the life and times of John Lennon but weaves in the background, the people around him, the times. Also gorgeously written with lots of nods and winks to songs I grew up with.
Love the way this book takes not just the life and times of John Lennon but weaves in the background, the people around him, the times. Also gorgeously written with lots of nods and winks to songs I grew up with.
October 30, 2020
Badly written and disappointing.
March 23, 2022
It was mark David chapman
May 28, 2021
* I received a review copy of this book prior to release *
Another soon-to-be bestselling title by journalist Lesley-Ann Jones is due for general release on 17th September 2020. Anybody who regularly visits my blog, or who takes a look through LAJ's social media will know how much of a fan I am of her work, and this is the best yet.
Lennon is one of my heroes, and I have (naturally) read just about every biography of him which has ever been written - so when I heard that my favourite author was releasing a biography of the greatest rock star, I was abuzz with excitement. And then to be offered a review copy of the book for my continued support of LAJ's work was such an honour, and I was very excited to have received the book over a week before it was available in stores.
The book explores the life of John Winston Ono Lennon, just as every biography of him does, but Lesley-Ann Jones does it differently. Instead of trudging through ever major and some minor events of Lennon's life, she goes through his life as if she is visiting it, writing of how each part of it made her feel and how she believes it must have made John feel - and, where possible, she includes snippets of interviews with relevant people; from John's childhood friend Pete Shotton to the famed Sir Paul McCartney. She goes at it from a different angle, from under a lens at the safety of her desk to standing in John's childhood bedroom at Mendips, Menlove Avenue, Liverpool.
She answers every question that you have ever had about Lennon, and then some. It amazes - no, astounds - me how she has managed to seemingly illustrate everything and take a trip down Penny Lane and beyond. The beautiful thing about the way LAJ writes is that she brings the reader into the tale of the subject's life, and this book is no different - and yet, it is. You don't feel as if you are beside John Lennon as he loses his mother (1958), plays Shea Stadium (1965), meets Yoko Ono (1966) and many more, but rather you feel like you're standing beside Lesley-Ann Jones as she explores his life and wonders about how it made him feel. She brings John into the limelight as has never been done before, yet focuses on his personal life rather than his life with music, and definitely does not focus on The Beatles as most do; this alone makes her book stand out from others, because a lot of biographers of Lennon's life are interested largely on the ten years which he was in The Beatles, and then very little on his life after it, or his relationship with music post-1969. This book stands alone from the others, and it stands out. It is incredible. LAJ litters little pieces of herself throughout her books, making them seem so personal that you could almost imagine that she and yourself are the only two owners of the book in the world.
I recommend this book to anybody and everybody who would ever want to learn about Lennon in an individual way. This book is nothing like any other biography written about Lennon before, and is a masterpiece, perhaps the defining work of LAJ's career as an author, to date. I am so privileged to have been given a pre-publication copy of it - thank you, Lesley-Ann Jones, for doing what others have not been able to, and writing such an amazing biography of the world's greatest rockstar.
Another soon-to-be bestselling title by journalist Lesley-Ann Jones is due for general release on 17th September 2020. Anybody who regularly visits my blog, or who takes a look through LAJ's social media will know how much of a fan I am of her work, and this is the best yet.
Lennon is one of my heroes, and I have (naturally) read just about every biography of him which has ever been written - so when I heard that my favourite author was releasing a biography of the greatest rock star, I was abuzz with excitement. And then to be offered a review copy of the book for my continued support of LAJ's work was such an honour, and I was very excited to have received the book over a week before it was available in stores.
The book explores the life of John Winston Ono Lennon, just as every biography of him does, but Lesley-Ann Jones does it differently. Instead of trudging through ever major and some minor events of Lennon's life, she goes through his life as if she is visiting it, writing of how each part of it made her feel and how she believes it must have made John feel - and, where possible, she includes snippets of interviews with relevant people; from John's childhood friend Pete Shotton to the famed Sir Paul McCartney. She goes at it from a different angle, from under a lens at the safety of her desk to standing in John's childhood bedroom at Mendips, Menlove Avenue, Liverpool.
She answers every question that you have ever had about Lennon, and then some. It amazes - no, astounds - me how she has managed to seemingly illustrate everything and take a trip down Penny Lane and beyond. The beautiful thing about the way LAJ writes is that she brings the reader into the tale of the subject's life, and this book is no different - and yet, it is. You don't feel as if you are beside John Lennon as he loses his mother (1958), plays Shea Stadium (1965), meets Yoko Ono (1966) and many more, but rather you feel like you're standing beside Lesley-Ann Jones as she explores his life and wonders about how it made him feel. She brings John into the limelight as has never been done before, yet focuses on his personal life rather than his life with music, and definitely does not focus on The Beatles as most do; this alone makes her book stand out from others, because a lot of biographers of Lennon's life are interested largely on the ten years which he was in The Beatles, and then very little on his life after it, or his relationship with music post-1969. This book stands alone from the others, and it stands out. It is incredible. LAJ litters little pieces of herself throughout her books, making them seem so personal that you could almost imagine that she and yourself are the only two owners of the book in the world.
I recommend this book to anybody and everybody who would ever want to learn about Lennon in an individual way. This book is nothing like any other biography written about Lennon before, and is a masterpiece, perhaps the defining work of LAJ's career as an author, to date. I am so privileged to have been given a pre-publication copy of it - thank you, Lesley-Ann Jones, for doing what others have not been able to, and writing such an amazing biography of the world's greatest rockstar.
July 29, 2021
Aihe kiehtoi suuresti mut kirja oli silti pettymys. Kirjotettu tosi sekavasti, huomas et kirjailija on (brittiläinen) toimittaja, jonka tyyli kirjottaa on poukkoileva ja faktoja koristellaan vetävyyden parantamiseks kaikenmaailman pohdinnoilla (oliko Johnilla homosuhteita vai ei - emme saa koskaan tietää) 🙄🙄 omaan makuun asioita vatvottiin ja esitettiin turhan provosoivasti sekä nojattiin yksittäisten ihmisten muistoihin tai mielipiteisiin, olisin mieluummin tehny päätelmät ite kun ollut näin johdateltavana. Lisäks olisin arvostanut kronologista järjestystä, jonka puute lisäs poukkoilevuuden tunnetta entisestään. Kirjassa oli tottakai kiinnostavaa asiaa, mut täytynee lukea vielä joku toinenki elämänkerta, tästä jäi hiukan liian sekava fiilis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2024
I admit, I didn't look at this book closely enough before I bought it. I thought it would be a close analysis of the murder. It isn't. It's a long rehash of the same old details of Lennon's life, starting before he was born, written in a faffy, artyfarty, grating style: "The biggest question - why are we here? has long stimulated artists and sparked scientists... There is no single truth. There are no facts and there are millions of facts... Life is short, art is long." Padded out, like a face flannel arriving in a ten foot square box. It's like an essay a kid might write on the bus to school: "John Lennon was a famous man. What is fame? Fame consists of many aspects... "
Read Tune In, or any other Lennon biog, except Goldman. Don't weary yourself with this.
Note for the future: never trust reviews written by celebs.
Read Tune In, or any other Lennon biog, except Goldman. Don't weary yourself with this.
Note for the future: never trust reviews written by celebs.
January 10, 2022
I tako se sada valjda pišu biografije???
Tri stranice nekih činjenica, a zatim dvije stranice autoričinog interpretiranja, spekuliranja i zaključivanja na temu.
I tako u krug.
Valjda se tako piše milenijalska literatura za ljude koji ne smiju niti na trenutak ostati na na tankom ledu po pitanju bilo kakve spoznaje, već sve moraju instatno shvatiti ili istovremeno potražiti na na internetu.
Nije li bolje biti uključen kao čitatelj i imati priliku donijeti bilo kakav, ali svoj, zaključak na temelju činjenica za koje se očekuje da će ih knjiga ovakvog tipa iznijeti???
Ili je bolje ovo pročitati pa dijeliti stavove autorice.
Možda sam prestar.
Tri stranice nekih činjenica, a zatim dvije stranice autoričinog interpretiranja, spekuliranja i zaključivanja na temu.
I tako u krug.
Valjda se tako piše milenijalska literatura za ljude koji ne smiju niti na trenutak ostati na na tankom ledu po pitanju bilo kakve spoznaje, već sve moraju instatno shvatiti ili istovremeno potražiti na na internetu.
Nije li bolje biti uključen kao čitatelj i imati priliku donijeti bilo kakav, ali svoj, zaključak na temelju činjenica za koje se očekuje da će ih knjiga ovakvog tipa iznijeti???
Ili je bolje ovo pročitati pa dijeliti stavove autorice.
Možda sam prestar.
October 18, 2021
I very much enjoyed this book. Well written with interesting accounts from the personal to the adjacent observant. Some of the opinions, maybe, with a bit too much interpolation or lacking the expertise to “diagnose” John Lennon but, generally a great story. I’ve idolized John Lennon since my childhood. Some things he’s done are hard to know but, in the end, he’s a man who worked to improve himself and that’s what matters. It makes him all that more admirable. This book tells that story - the story of a man in search of help, answers, growth and redemption. Recommended.
September 3, 2021
Written from a different perspective to most lennon/beatle books, more in depth about this character and personality rather than his work making this book one for the highly interested rather than a semi enthusiastic beatles fan for example. Really well researched and revealed alot of things I hadn't heard before which is impressive considering how much has been written about him. Its also very balanced which I liked, its not a tribute to Lennon nor does the author fawn over him. Enjoyed it
July 5, 2025
Super book; grand biography that provides details and insights. Provides new psychological angle to Lennon's personality; evokes debate. Pleasure to read, great snapshots of the legend's life. A sprinkle of info on all incidental and related characters. Useful to always refresh the mind about the music icon's output and wit, mannerisms and outlook. Easy to read and a page-turner; gravitates the mind again to the unparalleled music of The Beatles and J Lennon.
February 23, 2021
Jako zanimljiva knjiga o meni najdražem članu Beatlesa. Iako mi je isprva bila nekako sladunjava i pristrana, sve je otišlo u dobrom smjeru. Na neke sam se dijelove vraćala i čitala ih po nekoliko puta jer su me zaista zaintrigirali, a uz neke sam si puštala i prigodne pjesme kroz koje nas autorica vodi dodatnim pojašnjenjima i pričom koja stoji iza njih. Svakako vrijedi pročitati.
March 12, 2021
Alaotsikon mukaisesti enemmän psykologinen elämäkerta Lennonista kuin esimerkiksi levytyksiä ja musiikkia tarkkaan luotaava. Toki nekin kulkevat siellä mukana. Vaikka kertoja jää välillä oudosti jumiin joihinkin epäkiinnostaviin asioihin, kiinnostavaa faktaa tämä tarjosi silti runsaasti ainakin minulle, kun Beatles/Lennon-tietous on tähän asti tullut enemmän levyjen kuuntelun kautta.
August 26, 2021
Im a bit conflicted with this one: I definitely enjoyed reading it, as I flew through it! Despite already knowing a lot of the stories and contents of the book, I still couldn’t put it down, finding it to be a really fresh take on a lot of the old, recycled anecdotes of Johns life and times.
The two factors that I thought were interesting were: 1. Her analysis of John’s psychology and 2. Her analysis of Johns sexuality.
Whilst I disagree with the diagnosis she suggested of NPD (BPD in my opinion is a more fitting criteria for Lennon), I still appreciate that she recognised him as someone who was mentally ill, and made efforts to try and understand him through a modern day psychological lens.
And then the stuff about Brian and John isn’t the most reliable when it comes to sources (its all a bit “heard it through the grapevine”-esque) but it was pretty damn spicy lmao
I would have been interested in hearing her opinions on the disintegration of Lennon/McCartney relationship, but it seems that she failed to really delve deep into the roots of that, maintaining quite a superficial stance of the breakup.
The two factors that I thought were interesting were: 1. Her analysis of John’s psychology and 2. Her analysis of Johns sexuality.
Whilst I disagree with the diagnosis she suggested of NPD (BPD in my opinion is a more fitting criteria for Lennon), I still appreciate that she recognised him as someone who was mentally ill, and made efforts to try and understand him through a modern day psychological lens.
And then the stuff about Brian and John isn’t the most reliable when it comes to sources (its all a bit “heard it through the grapevine”-esque) but it was pretty damn spicy lmao
I would have been interested in hearing her opinions on the disintegration of Lennon/McCartney relationship, but it seems that she failed to really delve deep into the roots of that, maintaining quite a superficial stance of the breakup.
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