Straight

by Boy George, Paul Gorman

Straight [Hardcover] George, Boy

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Read On! · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm too young to remember Culture Club's breakthrough combined with Boy George's androgynous look on Top Of The Pops that shocked so many people. But being a huge fan of the 80s I've seen all their appearances on YouTube.
Having read George's first autobiography (Take It Like A Man) I found myself really relating to certain aspects of his life. And loved the recounts of the start of the New Romantic scene and all the hedonism of the 80s. The book is a highly entertaining read.
It was only last week I found on my Kindle that he'd written a second autobiography some 15 years after Take It Like A Man. I quickly purchased Straight.
George is around the age of 43 when he wrote this and has clearly changed from the previous book.
A self confessed bitch (but only when provoked) and certainly someone who can handle himself in a physical confrontation - he's not to be trifled with.
On reading this I like George. He writes with honesty. Sometimes with cattyness and isn't afraid to admit his flaws.
He begins by briefly reflecting on the early days and his super stardom but quickly moves onto his journey of faith finding where he visits India. In this part of the book you can tell he has become a much more spiritual person and seems to have left the trappings of fame behind. He seems to be irratated by people approaching him in public with sycophantic adoration and has no problem in telling them where to go if they don't take the hint. The impression that comes through is that he just wants to get on with things with the minimum of fuss.
Then he moves onto his DJ-ing career, of which he has become very well respected in this field. It's clear he enjoyed this with a passion. I had the privelage of being in a Manchester nightclub while he was playing. The dance floor was packed!
Things then move onto the reformation and touring of Culture Club. George doesn't dwell on this as the conflicts within the band soon arise which caused them to split in the 80s.
He talks about his solo career and it's varying degrees of success.
Next comes what I would describe is his proudest moment, which is the creation of the musical TABOO - the story of his life. He writes in detail of the trials and tribulations of how TABOO is produced and how he overcomes his nerves when he decides to star in the production. I would say the book concentrates the most on this part of his life. And rightly so - the show went on to be nominated for a variety of awards and Rosie O'Donnell was so impressed she invested her own money to take the show over to New York on Broadway.
George always seems to keep busy - starting his own clothing line and becoming a respected photographer. He likes to continue being creative.
Still written with his insightful, funny wit there were parts that made me chuckle. Especially his opinions on Madonna, the sexual shenanigans of George Michael, how David Beckham started to blur the line of how the hetrosexual male should dress and how todays generation of gay men are desperate to appear overly butch looking. His old friends like Marilyn and Steve Strange are given a mention.
He touches on his love affairs which reveals that under all the make-up is a very sensitive, caring man that has alot of love to give.
On finishing this I found George to be somewhat subdued and wishing him all the best in his future endeavours. He's a decent bloke

[Marie France · Rating 3 out of 5]

love reading up on my teenage idol, this larger than life character. Insightful but not to be considered 'objective' I suspect. thoroughly enjoyed the read as I heard his motormouth doing the talking in my head :)

[Amanda B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Karma a year or so ago, which is up to date, whereas this was written when George was in his early forties. Written with his characteristic wit and what would appear to be honesty, I enjoyed this one, although Karma appealed to me slightly more.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed George's first book which I read before it's temporary unavailability which was really the early years and culture club and found this which is a continuation inasmuch as it's further on with his life.
There are more to the first book which is inevitable as much has happened with the folks and circumstances in it since then but this book is its own thing.
It's post early culture club though a reunion forms a small part of the narrative a large part of the book is the stage musical Taboo which as it factors on the early new romantic clubbing days is where the past feeds the present.
It's a decent enough book and I'm sure at this point ...unless there isn't already...George has done enough for a third volume.

[Susan Nadathur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whereas Take it Like a Man was true to its title, Straight was not. In Take it Like a Man, George O’Dowd took the failures and mistakes of his youth and narrated them with adult introspection. In Straight, he talked bluntly about other people, about his own and other’s sexuality, about his work, but there was very little straight talk about the impact of his now middle-age choices on his adult life. Yes, there was some spiritual seeking, some insight and reflection, but I felt that most of the book was a holding back of what was really going on behind the make-up and the mask.

From the disappointments and frustrations of Taboo to life beyond Culture Club, Jon Moss, and addiction recovery, this book covered a lot of ground. But maybe it was the constant stream of new people on the page—names and faces many of us would never recognize—that detracted from the one story we were interested in reading: George’s.

That being said, one intriguing thing this book did for me was pique my interest in George’s semi-autobiographical musical Taboo. Through low resolution videos posted to You Tube, I was able to piece together the emotion of a life both flamboyant and painfully personal. It was the painfully personal that resonated with me. In one of the more poignant songs, “Stranger in this World,” I could hear the emotion pour through the lyrics “You always knew, didn’t you mother … I was a stranger in this world.” And the beauty and immediacy of the song “Petrified” that asks “when you’re alone, at night, do you run and hide? Are you strong, inside, are you full of pride, or just petrified?” is strikingly raw.

George, when you are ready to write the book about the emotions that inspired “Petrified,” “Stranger in this World,” and “Talk Amongst Yourselves,” you will have the book the world is waiting to read.

[Powersamurai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed George's musical, Taboo, when it first opened in London in January 2002 and played the soundtrack to death. Having read his first book, Take It Like A Man, made the show even more fun. Reading about what was happening behind the scenes on both the London and Broadway runs makes me appreciate how much work goes into a production and reminds me of the days when I played in amateur musicals and plays and directed a musical at Malanda High. The beginning of the book is more like George giving his opinion on religion, life, love and music and it waffles a bit. But once he gets down to business of the last 10 years of his life, I couldn't put it down, especially since most of those years was spent working on Taboo.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, ironic, sarcastic. Of course, Boy George is a queen, and in this book in particular, he's all of that and more. You can find some gossip (mostly about 80's musicians and Rosie O'Donnell-who produced "Taboo!" in New York-), some clues of what he was doing over the 90's, and of course, the making of "Taboo!", the musical that was put onstage in London and Broadway.
Boy George is a very complex person, but he can be sincere and sometimes, cruelly honest about his life and his points of view. As a fan (I've been following his musical career since I was 14), I really enjoyed the book but I only recommed it to fans or people from the gay scene (because it includes too many references about gay scene in London as well as in New York).

[Georgette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boy George picks up from where Take it like a Man left off. If not for the stellar CD of music that came with this book, I would likely only give it one star. I love, love, love Boy George's candor, but this telling of his solo career, the disasterous collaboration with Rosie O'Donnell on Taboo, and the reunion of Culture Club-with professional clashes included the second time around- in 1999, just completely lacks the charm and wit that marked his first memoir. He comes off as bitchy, parts of the book sound contrived, and he seems tired of telling a story that has been told already(mostly by tabloids, which he detests). You feel let down after you're done reading it.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even Boy George himself thinks this book is crap, so you have to take it with a grain of sat. He was heavy in his addiction at the time he wrote this, and there is a lot of self-loathing even some internalized homophobia (a lot of venom directed at "straight acting" gay men, juxtaposed with a professed preference and attraction to straight men) to muck through. But he's too likable and interesting for this not to be worth reading. Perhaps it helps to know he has gotten clean and come out on the other side of this. Maybe not worth reading for the average person, but for a Boy George die-hard fan, it's still a treat. (Now go read Take It Like a Man instead...)

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catty, witty, sad and shocking but thoroughly entertaining, Straight is Boy George’s gossip soaked book. It covers quite a few elements of his life but ultimately focuses on his musical, Taboo and showing the importance of Leigh Bowery in his life. There’s lots of dishing the dirt as you would imagine and George is very candid on every aspect. Apart from the dramatic behind the scenes look at the musical it also covers relationships – including going back over the Jon Moss disaster, his solo career and the attempt at reuniting Culture Club.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting, but not exciting. I ordered this book after reading the previous instalment Take It Like A Man. Now that book was really exciting and full of gossip style anecdotes and I couldn't put it down. 'Straight' was quite different. I have felt like I was being preached to. Homosexuality, spirituality, vegetarianism, fashion. This is the word according to Boy George. Well I don't consider The Bible a good read, and neither is this. However I did feel the need to find out what happened next after the first book, which is why I stuck with it.

[Derek Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started reading this without realising that it is actually his second book. As such it concentrates more on the 1990's / early noughties, not the more interesting period of the 1980's and the height of his success with Culture Club.
I found this volume to be a little disjointed and George himself needy and slightly annoying.

[Timo · Rating 3 out of 5]

How many times in one book one needs to prove and justify that his is gay. Reminded me of the Little Britain's Daffyd, the only gay in the village.
Some interesting bits, some boring bits, still, quite entertaining life.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this, Boy George's 2nd autobiography. I absolutely loved 'Take it Like a Man', which remains the only autobiography I've read twice.
'Straight' doesn't hold a candle to Boy George's first efforts.

[Victoria Colston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as take it like a man.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had I realised that this book was published back in 2005, I might not have bothered to buy it. I think George has done plenty of interesting things in the 18+ years since then and I'd probably be more interested in his reflections from a distance of greater age.

I've always liked him, but I found the book a bit dull. A lot of stories are about people I've never heard of, so that's probably on me, rather than him.

He's always a great wit. I just think I was reading this too long after the action.

[Sarospice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impossible to put down if you're a fan of The Boy, as it reads like he's talking to just you. This covers the DJ and Taboo era of his life, and how tough it is to be Boy George, so why not be someone else for a while. I'll say it again, George is the only celebrity I could meet and be star struck. Does he know what an influence he's been in people's lives? Can he bother to care? He's still got to be Boy George, right? We'll see in KARMA.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed his 1st book, "Take it Like a Man". I was excited to read this one but found it too be not as good. I do love his sense of humor & he doesn't have an ego issue. This book focused on his DJ'ing career & his Broadway play Taboo.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written

[Ellyse]

DNF

[Chris Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 *. I thought this was a bit auto biographical. But it wasn’t. It was more his opinions on things. It was ok.

[kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

i hate how much i actually enjoyed this it was a much easier read than take it like a man

[Ange · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent and the cd included is so good.

[Leonardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, gossip-soaked account of Boy George's life, focusing on creativity and chaos surrounding the production and staging of Taboo in the East End and Broadway. Of course, this is not the only subject covered in Boy George's account of his life. Although in Take it Like a Man he had already covered most of his career in the 80s, there's enough gossip and inside information to keep anyone entertained and informed (particularly regarding his relationship with Kirk Brandon and other lovers). Of course, the staging of Taboo is the main subject of the book, along with the all-too significant importance of Leigh Bowery in his life. Although sometimes the views expressed in a certain chapter might seem to contradict the views set forth later on, Boy George is always passionate and brutally honest about his beliefs. The book could have been much improved by some kind of focus in the early chapters, beyond updating the reader about subjects already dealt with in his previous book.

[Lily OnTheLam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very different voice from his previous autobiography but probably due to having a different co-author. I thought the parts about the rise and fall of the Broadway show Taboo were very interesting and could have been a small book on its own.

[Colleen Blogg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was ok but 1st book was better,still a great guy thou.

[Ror Ror]

ok

[Alessandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty and funny! A great book to read!

[E.D.E. Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

“My mind is a supermodel.”

Where do I start with this? It’s so different than Take It Like A Man - the first book was this rather exhaustive chronicle of George’s childhood, time with Culture Club, and personal struggles. This book in many ways is tighter (though still a bit in the weeds on details, which is fine) but it starts and goes on for quite a while as sort of a mix of philosophy and shade (so much shade) and then transitions into a brief description of the Culture Club reunion years, and then goes into a very detailed account of Taboo in both London and New York. So it’s a little - what is this? But then I kept reading.

Based on reviews, I didn’t have much expectation for this book, but I found myself very drawn to George’s observations and philosophies. Like, I’m reading through it nodding and tapping the pages, like yes, that. Just fully engaged. Yet, while at the same time I’m like, man, I’d sure love to have a conversation with George - we’d really get along - I’m remembering his whole “you don’t know me because I’m famous” intro. So. Hmm. Well, I still think we’d enjoy a chat.

Either way, yes, there was some snark toward other artists that may not have all been necessary, but, wow I really found myself engaged by the story. Honestly? I find Boy George fascinating, much more as time goes on. (Follow his Twitter; he’s just so interesting.) Which is why I wanted to go back and read these books.

In many ways, I wanted to five-star this book, but was left with lingering discomfort of some of the negativity of a man who was clearly struggling when this was written. He seems like he's found such a positive place these days; I hope that is true.

Also, as before - adult content - not for kids.

Mr. O’Dowd, you have an open invitation to swing by and chat (with no hugging or selfies!) - your ideas and stories are just fascinating. I love how you grow into yourself while accepting the difference in philosophies or different journeys of others. You inspire me to break rules and be the most genuine artist I can be. Thank you.