Love and Fame - John Berryman

Advantages: Spares you the agony and full details of John's illness
Disadvantages: Too "Theatrical" in places , a real "luvvie" book

..." Just the two of us - we can make it if we try, just the two of us, you and I". I cannot help it but each time I reach for the cover of this book that darn song appears in my head. Don't let that start of my review fool you though, this is not a story to put a smile on your face. It's a pity that the book isn't as cheery as the song as there is no happy ending. The book is a true story about John Thaw of The Sweeney and Morse fame written by his wife, Sheila Hancock. As I have just finished reading it I decided to share my thoughts on this book with you if you are deciding on what next to read. ********The Cover***************** First impressions are good, 302 pages of what looks to be a compulsive read. A black and white picture of John on the front in what looks like it was taken in one of his Morse episodes. *******How does... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Music, Time Travel, Strange Moustaches Etc etc
Disadvantages: Time Travel makes me dizzy

...I read this book on holiday it was meant to last me through the holiday but I actually read it in 1 day. Mostly because I stayed up all night reading it. This book should come with a disclaimer not to read it when you have a drink as time travel makes you very dizzy and you need to lay down. The characters you meet are brilliant. I loved the character of Soap Distant but this was the 1st time i had met any of the characters and I was a bit confused about the background. The story is a wonderful trip through time and sanity. Mostly marred by insanity I think. It contains so many twists I can't even begin to explain the story. You meet Soap Distant (traveller to the centre of the earth) first who seems about the sanest character in the story and like so many people he is chasing his 15 minutes of fame but he comes back to a world... Read review

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Advantages: Amusing, thoughtful.
Disadvantages: Bit slow in parts.

...This book is about Weird, a member of an early 80's pop group as he looks back on his life.Despite rising from the slums of Glasgow to find fame and fortune, however he is not a happy man and what,or rather who, he always sought in life has always eluded him.Add to that the sense of guilt he feels about the deaths of 2 members of the band, and that's why he tries to commit suicide. But thankfully the book does have a happy ending, as well as plenty of comical moments, such as the antics of his two friends. One is an alcoholic Marxist who nearly gets them both beaten up in a nightclub, and the other gets arrested after stealing whipped cream aerosols, which he tries to get high on by sniffing the butane gas. There are some interesting insights on the nature of fame and the music business, and it gives you an idea of what it might have... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful