Reviews

Frank: The True Story that Inspired the Movie by Jon Ronson

cal_jessamine's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

michidoc's review against another edition

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4.0

At first I thought it was quite a dull, not interesting at all account of who Frank really was. A mistake I did before, with longer fiction. When I got to the point where Ronson talks about the creative process of the film and how other works influenced it and what really happened to Frank I was hooked and amazed... and it suddenly finished.
What I can say is that Ronson seems a very good author and I definitely what to read some more of his stuff.
About Frank the movie, I think this little book gave me some thoughts to consider, and made me love the movie even more. I definitely recommend it!

dayseraph's review against another edition

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4.0

Movie was super weird and enjoyable, and I've enjoyed some of Jon Ronson's other books, so no big surprise that I liked this! It's very short but very interesting! Provides context for the fictionalized Frank in the movie that I appreciated.

ermamac's review against another edition

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3.0

I'm not exactly sure why this was a book and not a long article, but I like Jon Ronson, so I'll allow it.

bookishgoblin's review against another edition

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3.0

Not quite as riveting as th film, but the book sure as hell explains why. It's a nice little look into how writing fiction based on fact can bring in any factual elements it needs or wants to make something great.

mikew66's review against another edition

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funny informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

newishpuritan's review against another edition

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3.0

I read this because I saw Frank Sidebottom many times at Liverpool Polytechnic in the late 80s. Jon Ronson played keyboards in his band throughout this period - but I can't even really remember a band. All my attention was obviously on Frank, who sang, lectured about 'space' or 'puppets', or acted pantomimes like 'Bobbinson Crusoe'.

This is a simple, straightforward account by Ronson, rather light on detail (and the last part is a brief survey of other 'outsider' musical acts). It's poor value, since it's only a few thousand words. But it's affectionate and generous.

In retrospect, it's difficult to explain Frank's appeal - who exactly were the intended audience? He was quite childish and innocent - he studiously avoided innuendo or obscenity - but I can't imagine children enjoying the act. Maybe he was ideal for student bars: places poised between childhood and adulthood.

bookchew's review against another edition

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4.0

My favorites: Jon Ronson and Frank Sidebottom. A treat. And a quick read.

lewis_fishman's review against another edition

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4.0

what do you do when you slip through the cracks?

hanne842's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

5.0