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Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith

Author: Mark E. Smith
Publisher: Viking
Category: Book

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Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

9 reviews
Sales Rank: 4018

Media: Hardcover
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.2

ISBN: 0670916749
EAN: 9780670916740
ASIN: 0670916749

Publication Date: April 24, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new book sourced directly from the publisher. Delivery in 3-5 days. Customer service 7 days per week

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 6-9 of 9

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Curmudgeon speaks ! May 2, 2008
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

I devoured this in one sitting and loved every page of it. It'll never be thought of as a brilliant opus, but I feel sure I'll read it again very soon. I find myself agreeing with much of what he has to say. Nice to see that he isn't as one-sided in his attitudes as I previously suspected.

I could have read another couple of hundred pages of it without trouble. Absorbing. Crucial. Significant.

Can't wait to hear his new CD.

4 out of 5 stars

Mere Pseud Biography-ah April 28, 2008
7 out of 9 found this review helpful

I agree with the other gentleman's review...this ISN'T an autobiography, it's basically a collection of 'conversations' stuck together by a not so invisible ghost writer (previews in the Guardian/Observer suggested to me it was self-penned) it is a collection of ramblings about his life and gripes about ex band members (can you imagine working with him?!) some of it makes no sense what-so-ever (well, not to me)

That said, I devoured it in an afternoon, reading it with a frown and the occasional giggle. He is an intriguing character who has consistently gone against the musical grain for thirty years now, the music is always fresh and challenging as are a lot of his creative ideas. How many other carmudgeons can you think of who have penned avant-garde ballets or written plays about deceased popes?

So if you like the Fall and you've got a spare 15 stuffed round the back of the clock on the mantle-piece then buy the book!

2 out of 5 stars

Lazy, rambling rubbish April 25, 2008
8 out of 13 found this review helpful

Was quite looking forward to reading this book. However, it is clear that (aside from some brief incoherant interludes which show no aptitude for prose writing) the book consists entirely of a series of transcribed monologues, tacked together to create a 'book'. This is just lazy and sloppy. It reads like an extensive interview with Mark E Smith, which isn't such a bad thing for a page or two. After that it's irritating. There's no insights, and the way Mark feels the need to bash everyone he's ever met become oh-so-boring by the end. We've heard it so many times before mark; tell us something new. It's frightening how little self awareness the man has: He drones on about those that have angered him, without showing any awareness at all of what a thoroughly unpleasant guy we all know he is. Fell like I've wasted money on this, but am still looking forward to the new fall album next week!

5 out of 5 stars

Mein Kampf for the Hollyoaks generation April 22, 2008
6 out of 14 found this review helpful

I am delighted to learn that Mr Smith and I concur on most issues. I thought I was alone in thinking that Owen and Shearer look like coppers.

Buy this book.