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johnreedauthor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
sirts's review against another edition
4.0
I have been wanting to read this book for ages, but because I never really felt comfortable doing it in English, I kept it on hold.
Now, 20 years later, I finally decided to give it a go, only to discover confusion. My mind is filled with questions and bafflement. I'm not saying it was all bad, sometimes the depraved and disturbing writing style can be quite captivating. But the fact that he doesn't show any remorse about hurting close ones or giving any shits about his own loyal fans.. is unsettling and insulting. Especially in this world ..where you are NOTHING without others.
Honestly it made me look up what year it was published, to confirm his age and to me it didn't make any sense. So, I just kept my fingers crossed and hoped for a change towards the end....which did happen.
I also can see why young readers might worship this writing, it's ugly and bold. And honestly, appropriately shocking as Marilyn Manson is supposed to be. Still at some point through all the gory scenes it got dull, seeming like some Marquis de Sade's sadistic books, only this was happening in realty, which is terrifying.
For me it started out rather interestingly, loved learning about his childhood, his brilliance..ideas and world views, how he put the band together and etc. Didn't even mind the crazy stage shows or self-harming, but the abuse towards others..that I couldn't tolerate.
Young minds often don't think about the harm and consequences, but as we get older, everything changes. I absolutely hated the chauvinistic big in this book. His judgment was always to blamed others, mostly women ..for all his shits. And to the point to even kill? I wasn't even sure anymore who I was reading about, didn't seem as any respectable intellectual I know about. Book Brian didn't even posses any empathy... towards anyone and with serious mental problems! Which definitely were considered as a super power?!
Yes, this book gave me quite a bit confusion. But, so much time has passed that I no longer consider myself a devoted Manson fan, even though the latest live that I experienced before the depressing social distancing, was the Twins of Evil.
Now, 20 years later, I finally decided to give it a go, only to discover confusion. My mind is filled with questions and bafflement. I'm not saying it was all bad, sometimes the depraved and disturbing writing style can be quite captivating. But the fact that he doesn't show any remorse about hurting close ones or giving any shits about his own loyal fans.. is unsettling and insulting. Especially in this world ..where you are NOTHING without others.
Honestly it made me look up what year it was published, to confirm his age and to me it didn't make any sense. So, I just kept my fingers crossed and hoped for a change towards the end....which did happen.
I also can see why young readers might worship this writing, it's ugly and bold. And honestly, appropriately shocking as Marilyn Manson is supposed to be. Still at some point through all the gory scenes it got dull, seeming like some Marquis de Sade's sadistic books, only this was happening in realty, which is terrifying.
For me it started out rather interestingly, loved learning about his childhood, his brilliance..ideas and world views, how he put the band together and etc. Didn't even mind the crazy stage shows or self-harming, but the abuse towards others..that I couldn't tolerate.
Young minds often don't think about the harm and consequences, but as we get older, everything changes. I absolutely hated the chauvinistic big in this book. His judgment was always to blamed others, mostly women ..for all his shits. And to the point to even kill? I wasn't even sure anymore who I was reading about, didn't seem as any respectable intellectual I know about. Book Brian didn't even posses any empathy... towards anyone and with serious mental problems! Which definitely were considered as a super power?!
Yes, this book gave me quite a bit confusion. But, so much time has passed that I no longer consider myself a devoted Manson fan, even though the latest live that I experienced before the depressing social distancing, was the Twins of Evil.
kittehloaf's review against another edition
5.0
I freaking forgot I read this book! I read this back in high school and I was ENTHRALLED by how Manson was shaped to the person he is today! Not much of a fan for his music but his history is amazing.
mikelchartier's review against another edition
5.0
Surprisingly enough (as it may be) this is easily the funniest book I've ever read. Great insight into everything that is Marilyn Manson
bookishblond's review against another edition
3.0
Well written and engaging but linear and bombastic. A bit self-indulgent but interesting in parts. Ultimately a self-aggrandizing first person perspective on a divisive character of murky intellect.
sixxed's review against another edition
4.0
I've meant to pick this book up for a long time but I could never find it in any bookstores near me. I put it off and read other books. Imagine my surprise finding it while browsing the store on my Kindle. I immediately bought it and read it over a couple of days.
I have heard some of the claims made by his "fans" about some things he has done onstage and off the stage. It was hysterical reading all of these while I was in high school. Many families were against some of my classmates listening to his music, though it didn't stop them. The first time I heard his music was on MTV when I saw the music video for "Coma White," which has become one of my favorite songs he has released to date. My family, which is primarily Baptist, was against me listening to his music as well. Did it stop me? Absolutely not. On the team bus on the road to road games, I would listen to "Beautiful People" and "Fight Song" on my burned CDs that had been made for me by a friend.
The book was a great insight into Manson's life. Growing up, I could see how what he went through in adolescence had created the so-called "Antichrist superstar." Manson, as of no surprise, is very intelligent. If you have watched any of his interviews, they will demonstrate this point. This is one of the few music autobiographies I have read (e.g. The Dirt, Heroin Diaries, etc.) and I would put it right behind Heroin Diaries as one of the most interesting reads.
I have heard some of the claims made by his "fans" about some things he has done onstage and off the stage. It was hysterical reading all of these while I was in high school. Many families were against some of my classmates listening to his music, though it didn't stop them. The first time I heard his music was on MTV when I saw the music video for "Coma White," which has become one of my favorite songs he has released to date. My family, which is primarily Baptist, was against me listening to his music as well. Did it stop me? Absolutely not. On the team bus on the road to road games, I would listen to "Beautiful People" and "Fight Song" on my burned CDs that had been made for me by a friend.
The book was a great insight into Manson's life. Growing up, I could see how what he went through in adolescence had created the so-called "Antichrist superstar." Manson, as of no surprise, is very intelligent. If you have watched any of his interviews, they will demonstrate this point. This is one of the few music autobiographies I have read (e.g. The Dirt, Heroin Diaries, etc.) and I would put it right behind Heroin Diaries as one of the most interesting reads.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
1.0
as i read this book, my students kept asking me, "why are you reading it?" or, conversely, "is it cool?" i read it based on a recommendation. i kept reading, but it is what it is: egregiously shocking.
manson doesn't offer any insight to his musical career, his rise into stardom or his creative process. he simply writes of his depraved existence as a child, a teen and as an "adult."
his drug usage and careless sexual activities grow tiresome to hear about and he seems to have absolutely no respect for humanity. or has a strange perspective on how to treat other people (especially women).
utter trash.
manson doesn't offer any insight to his musical career, his rise into stardom or his creative process. he simply writes of his depraved existence as a child, a teen and as an "adult."
his drug usage and careless sexual activities grow tiresome to hear about and he seems to have absolutely no respect for humanity. or has a strange perspective on how to treat other people (especially women).
utter trash.
kayharkness's review against another edition
4.0
I laughed I cringed I understood.
This book took me on a crazy journey of being appalled and feeling like I was reading horror fiction. Perhaps it truly was.
So many excellent quotes from a well spoken man.
The reviews on the back of the book really summed it all up perfectly.
Offensive, appalling, oddly addicting prose.
This book took me on a crazy journey of being appalled and feeling like I was reading horror fiction. Perhaps it truly was.
So many excellent quotes from a well spoken man.
The reviews on the back of the book really summed it all up perfectly.
Offensive, appalling, oddly addicting prose.