Beautiful...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Beautifully written and beautifully narrated - a detailed insight in both to Morrissey and Manchester life.

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5 people found this helpful

Sublime eloquence

This book must be heard to be fully appreciated, and I can’t imagine doing a better job than David Morrissey. Brilliant.

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Brilliantly written but needs a good edit!

Liked-
He is acutely perceptive, draws his characters well and it's a good, often fascinating read.
Narrator matches the story/place perfectly.

Disliked-
Entire self-indulgent rambling chapters in the latter part railing at great length against various solicitors/session musicians etc who wronged him. WAY too much detail for even the most avid fan! Why was all this left in?? It makes him seem petulant and unprofessional and I really didn't enjoy this sudden airing of his dirty laundry, it's beneath him and beneath his readers.

The narrator, David Morrissey, is brilliant but scarcely pauses between chapters.

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4 people found this helpful

Morrissey!

Where does Autobiography rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Certainly up there with the best.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I had difficulty tearing myself away from it.

Any additional comments?

Morrissey is like Marmite (and I am sure that he too would agree), you either love him or hate him. I remember there being much criticism of this book on its publication. So what's new, everything Morrissey does seems to get slated somewhere along the line. One of the main criticisms was the amount of time he spends around the court action over royalties. Well, having listened, I can appreciate why he spent so much time on it and in no way does it detract from the rest of the book. If you are looking for a run of the mill autobiography then this is probably not for you. However, if you can appreciate the sincerity and humour found in Morrissey's music then you will appreciate his approach to this book. Even if you are not a fan but you enjoy books which defy convention then you may well enjoy Autobiography. The prose borders on the poetic throughout most of the book. The passion borders on rants at times, and I have to say with good cause, and serves to illustrate his sincerity. Is this a balanced and true account of Morrissey's life? It's probably as honest as any autobiography, it is one person's view. However, it is enjoyable and entertaining.I also think David Morrissey was the perfect choice to narrate this book. One of the most enjoyable audiobooks I have listened to. I, for one, would not have been happy if this had been "ordinary" and not "Morrissey"!

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4 people found this helpful

Excellent

The wonderfully written tale of a deeply bitter man. Fascinating and compelling, but ultimately very sad.
David Morrissey is outstanding.
I recommend this for fans and critics alike.

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Morrisey

The world is a better place with you in it!
The Smiths 1985 Brighton Dome and forever more! Viva Morrisey

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Morrissey's bears his Mancunian soul

A book worthy to be labelled a Penguin classic. An enjoyable and addictive listen, please don't hesitate.

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Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want

Morrissey is brutally honest about himself, the world as he experiences it and his views on the issues he cares about. (David) Morrissey reads with pathos, insight and a deep understanding of Morrissey's life situation. This means that after a short while it really feels as if you are listening to Morrissey himself.

The writing is evocative throughout, with brilliant set pieces over the various phases of Morrissey's life from tough school days, feelings of alienation at various stages, as well as a blow by blow account of the court case. Other reviews say the trial details were a bit over-extended, but as ever it feels as if Morrissey is describing his first person experience, and the whole episode is a cautionary tale for all bands starting out, to think clearly about ownership and rights.

Morrissey is a Marmite character, and your position on Marmite / Morrissey will likely determine your experience of this audiobook. For fans, it allows a deeper understanding of the man behind the music. Wherever you stand, this is a great piece of writing, brilliantly bought to life with many lessons and plenty of (usually dark) humour.

Well worth spending the day in bed to listen to ... my opinion is that Morrissey is much more sensitive than he appears, and he has the resilience and courage to keep going in the face of much misunderstanding and negative press, so that he can stay true to himself and his message to the world.

A must listen for Morrissey fans, and lots to learn for all of us about living true to our essence, values and beliefs, whether or not we like Marmite :)

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From the horse's mouth

With pretentious, long-winded prose couched in dubious grammar, Morrissey demonstrates why he is one of the most hated individuals in the music industry. "X does not like me"; "Y does not speak to me"; "Z writes terrible things about me." Yes, Morrissey, this is no coincidence and neither is it a conspiracy, rather a common reaction to a seriously obnoxious personality. That said, I enjoyed the book and was relieved that a deeper knowledge of the man did nothing to dampen my liking for his music past and present.

The narration by David Morrissey was superb, flawless down to the smallest inflection.

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1 person found this helpful

A wonderfully descriptive, entertaining autobiography of a far more affable Mr Morrissey,

I have to say I was really impressed with this book not only because Morrissey is a one off, but he leaves a detailed historical document and social commentary about state schools, teachers who seemed to loathe young people and pointless corporal punishment, a kind of ritual humiliation. One cannot help but feel for him as he waves goodbye to his grandmother who is being left behind as a result of all the social housing reorganisation that was going on in Manchester at the time.
I also love how he talks about buying discs from record shoos I have visited in the past. Iused to remember looking forward to release day of an eagerly awaited release of a new album from real musicians, the likes of which we don’t get to aee so often now.
I have to say I had tremendous sympathy for him when he was in the Smiths because he seemed to be surrounded by people on the make who did very little for their percentages, particularly rough trade.
Having looked into empath type personality profiles, I think Morrissee is the victim of being completely misunderstood and his generosity, quickly forgotten. Hated for loving.

Unfortunately even with generosity, people are fickle and I felt rather sorry for him with the court case as he was getting it from all sides.
If you get Morrissey, you’ll get this book.l I was laughing out loud with headphones on causing the odd funny look, because he’s a funny man sometimes too.

I have to say I’ve always been a fan from 13 but his press, presents him as that’ ‘truculent’, difficult man, as per a lonely high court judge with a grudge.

I really really really enjoyed this book. The last biography I enjoyed this much was Talullah! (Bankhead). Most are serialised these days, 200 pages, big writing.

This book was wonderful and I really picked up some of his character. He is actually a lot lovelier than he likes to admit.

Congratulations Mr Morrissey well done, you hit a home run.

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