29 reviews for:

Beneath the Underdog: His World as Composed by Mingus

Charles Mingus

3.58 AVERAGE

unclevania's review

3.0

challenging dark funny sad medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

annapurrna69's review

1.0

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Interminable litany of (mostly) the great musician's various sexual conquests, real or imagined (either way, who cares).
If you want a jazz autobiography which actually talks about the MUSIC as well as the man, check out Hampton Hawes' or Duke Ellington's, to name just two.
Not one mention in the entire book of his great collaborators Dannie Richmond or Eric Dolphy: enough said.
If you really want to get to know Mingus, and find out why he's one of the great 20th Century musical figures, steer clear of this wallow in the mire and instead listen to the albums "Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus", "Mingus Ah Um," or "Let My Children Hear Music."

harrylee773's review

4.0

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Insightful and fascinating, with commentary on class and race that is still (unfortunately) relevant today. Certain parts didn’t age well, pacing is a problem, and at times hard to tell who is speaking or being spoken to (especially confusing for an autobiography) but still a great read.

norahsauras's review

2.25

slow-paced

s_armstrong's review

0.75

dark reflective sad slow-paced

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If you pick this up based on the wondeful writing of the back of the book, run fast and far. It is 90% sex and misogyny. 5% incoherent ramblings. 4% insightful race relations insights. 1% jazz. There is also a disclaimer in the beginning that some of it is fictional so why it is called an autobiography is beyond me. What little growth there is or information about Mingus' life is entirely overshadowed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Classism

saareman's review

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In English language,Jazz biography,Jazz Autobiography,non-fiction

tomclifford's review

5.0

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Man. What a fascinating guy, and what a readable, interesting book! Caveat: if you're hoping for deep investigations into the nature of jazz or music in general, there isn't a whole lot. But there is a lot to chew on here about race, love, morals... Oh, and lots and lots of sex. Some of it graphic, some of it what we would now euphemistically call "problematic". A gripping look into a complex, conflicted, and brilliant mind.

bobbylovesyou's review

2.0

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What a colorful life Charles Mingus had. Not quite as groundbreaking as Miles Davis' autobiography, but this one is full of sex, drugs, and delusions of grandeur.

smiths2112's review

3.5

fast-paced

laculbute's review

4.0

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Overwhelming at times, but totally worth the read. Mingus led a fascinating life...