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samusiamus's review against another edition
5.0
"I'd been through a lot but--I'm OK. And if I want to be, I'm better than OK. I'm certainly not the most well-adjusted person on Earth, but considering everything . . . I mean--I survived. And I survived just by being me. How lucky and amazing is that?" (p. 233)
I can't put into words how happy I feel to have read this book finally. When I was in high school in the late 90s I had somehow discovered E's "Last Stop: This Town" song (and the strange video) and fell in love with the band. It was a band I didn't listen to often but really enjoyed, I guess it's the things you admire most that you want to keep at arm's length just so it stays special.
In 2018, Eels were coming through my city and I HAD to see them. I invited my brand-new boyfriend to go with me to my first concert of a band I had an ethereal love for. It was an amazing show, and I couldn't quite explain to my boyfriend the feeling I was feeling seeing E in person for the first time after only knowing his voice, and with a faint image of what he looked like in the Last Stop video. I was so excited to be there, I bought a poster. I rarely buy posters, but I bought one and paid more for a frame to put it in than I paid for it. It's worth it.
Equally as awe inspiring is his memoir. I read it in about a day in two different sittings. It's a short read, but I enjoyed every second of it. I knew of some of the hardships he experienced in life from an article or two, maybe his wikipedia page, but I felt better knowing what he went through as told by his own words. We're all so lucky that he was able to always see a sliver of silver on every dark cloud that passed above him.
siobhanmcb's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
madame_abeille's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
mattnauwelaers's review against another edition
5.0
The greatest power of this book lies in the fact that it's not the rock memoir of Eels but really a true celebration of life! Respect, E.
annelienvan's review against another edition
4.0
Mark Oliver Everett (Of Eels)'s life story. Very honest, not badly written but not brilliantly either, but the openness and honesty really shines through. Very very touching too. I recommend this to everyone who likes Eels!
book: 23/50
pages: 8430
book: 23/50
pages: 8430
milesjmoran's review against another edition
5.0
A subtly beautiful memoir that skilfully handles the darker and lighter subjects in life, in all of their shades. This book is extremely moving and Everett doesn't season his words with overwhelming romanticism, distracting from what is truly important. It's sometimes unbelievable what he experienced, the unfortunate sidled close together, happiness sparsely spread--but they are powerful instances. EELS are one of my favourite bands, and this enforced and deepend my love of their music. Everett is a wonderful writer, in both book and music form.
vgk's review against another edition
5.0
So much more than a memoir. Written with honesty and a complete lack of self-pity, despite the extraordinarily sad things E has lived through, this book is a meditation on depression, art, persistence, the meaning of life and, ultimately, hope. I loved it.
readmorebooks's review against another edition
5.0
Finished this book in a day. It was a tumultuous ride, but I could identify with all of the lost he faced. He has made a life, regardless of his situation, and that is hopeful and inspiring :)