Scan barcode
geoffwood's review against another edition
4.0
Reads like a guy that's about three drinks in just ranting about stuff and occasionally his life. So, uh, slot next to Morrissey in "autobiographies that are exactly what they should be."
tamfife's review against another edition
5.0
Finally finished this, not been reading at my usual rate recently, so I've just been picking this up and reading a chapter or two at a time, and it's worth reading it at a slower pace just to absorb some of Mark E Smith's philosophies on life, some interesting, some slightly mental. He's sort of known as a curmudgeonly mad old bastard, and he is a bit, he doesn't hold back when mentioning people he's not keen on but he also has great wit, essential if you're a fan of The Fall, and probably still worth a read if you're not.
yonyorklad's review against another edition
3.0
Not an autobiography by any stretch, but a great conversation with the opinionated drunk down the pub.
It’s far too short to offer anything too insightful, but feels like a solid extended interview that you might watch on YouTube at 2am.
He’s very witty, very dry, and seemingly hates everyone. A contrarian with good Scotch in his veins.
Good company, but probably saying the same as he said last week.
It’s far too short to offer anything too insightful, but feels like a solid extended interview that you might watch on YouTube at 2am.
He’s very witty, very dry, and seemingly hates everyone. A contrarian with good Scotch in his veins.
Good company, but probably saying the same as he said last week.
millymoo's review
4.0
Brilliant absolute bile from Mark E Smith
I didn’t know much about Mark E Smith other than what a big fan of his one of my pals is. This was a thoroughly entertaining read! What a truly horrible creature Mark E Smith was; the venom he spews out in this book is strangely compelling. Couldn’t put it down at times. RIP you miserable bastard.
I didn’t know much about Mark E Smith other than what a big fan of his one of my pals is. This was a thoroughly entertaining read! What a truly horrible creature Mark E Smith was; the venom he spews out in this book is strangely compelling. Couldn’t put it down at times. RIP you miserable bastard.
joerichards90's review against another edition
2.0
A garbled and generally unfulfilling piece of ghost-writing, which is exactly what I should have expected. Entertaining in parts, vitriolic in others. There isn't much given away that isn't already known to Fall fans, and any insight is usually provided through ego-tinted glasses. It does speak volumes for MES' unique appeal, however: despite my negative review, I would certainly still recommend it to Fall fans.
caddysnack's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I guess it's no surprise that this book is entertaining, and lacks focus. Meandering doesn't even begin to describe the journey each page takes. And I even skipped the poetry/prose interludes. The thousands of pints Mark E Smith has had over the years have done nothing to dull this man's ego or judgmentalism. Thankfully for us it hasn't dulled his drive for The Fall. But on the prior points there is a lot of shit talking in this book, and very little praise for anyone outside of Mark's pubmates, football players, and his current wife... Mark E Smith comes off as just as much of a controlling jerk as you already thought, but maybe if you take him at his word you could think he's less of an alcoholic than famed. I am glad I read this, but I think my time would have been better spent listening to Fall records.
alastairwilson's review against another edition
3.0
Reasonable fun, but nothing you wouldn't expect.His views on Brighton almost made me give it an extra star, but the constant whining about people thinking he is a drunk (when he pretty much admits he is) wore me out.
woodlandglitter's review
5.0
Mark E. Smith is such an asshole, but this book is fantastic--hilarious, cryptic, inspiring, demeaning, etc. What a nightmare it must be to be in a band with this lunatic.