Our book choice for April 2014 is Autobiography by Morrissey. Steven Patrick Morrissey was born in Manchester on May 22nd 1959. Singer-songwriter and co-founder of the Smiths (1982-1987), Morrissey has been a solo artist for twenty-six years, during which time he has had three number 1 albums in England in three different decades.
Steven Patrick Morrissey was born in Manchester, England, on May 22, 1959. He grew up in a working-class Irish family and attended a Catholic school, where he was bullied and unhappy. Morrissey found solace in music, and he began writing songs and lyrics in his teens.
In 1982, Morrissey co-founded the Smiths, one of the most influential bands of the 1980s. The Smiths released four albums and had a string of hit singles, including “How Soon Is Now?”, “This Charming Man”, and “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”. The band broke up in 1987, but Morrissey has continued to be a successful solo artist.
Morrissey’s autobiography, Autobiography, was published in 2013. The book covers Morrissey’s life from his childhood to the present day. It is a candid and revealing account of Morrissey’s life, and it offers insights into his music, his personality, and his worldview.
The book begins with Morrissey’s childhood in Manchester. Morrissey writes about his unhappy childhood, his love of music, and his early experiences of being bullied. He also writes about his family, his friends, and his teachers.
The book then goes on to discuss Morrissey’s time with the Smiths. Morrissey writes about the band’s formation, their rise to fame, and their eventual breakup. He also writes about his relationship with the other members of the band, and his creative process.
The final part of the book deals with Morrissey’s solo career. Morrissey writes about his albums, his tours, and his relationships with other artists. He also writes about his political views, his love of animals, and his vegetarianism.
Autobiography is a well-written and engaging book. Morrissey’s writing is clear and concise, and he offers insightful observations about his life and his music. The book is also full of humor and wit, and Morrissey’s dry sense of humor shines through on every page.
However, Autobiography is not without its flaws. The book is somewhat self-indulgent at times, and Morrissey can be overly critical of others. Additionally, the book is not always chronologically accurate, and Morrissey sometimes contradicts himself.
Overall, Autobiography is a fascinating and revealing book. It is an interesting read for fans of Morrissey and the Smiths, and it is also a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the music industry or in the life of a creative artist.
Discussion Questions for Autobiography by Morrissey
- It’s a famously divisive book. Reviews range from those that think Morrissey deserves a booker to A A Gills hatchet job. Did you enjoy the book?
- The last book we read dealt a lot with the depiction of the 60s and the aftermath. Autobiography begins and traces through the late 70’s and early 80’s and beyond – Is it good at evoking the time and place?
- What do you think of the style it is written in?
- Is Morrissey “devious, truculent and unreliable”? Is he sympathetic?
- Do you have any favourite sections?
- Did you find it funny?
- Does he need a good editor?
- What do you think of the last section of the book, largely devoted to his solo and touring success?
- Do we learn too little about his personal life / relationships?
- Does it deserve Penguin classic status?
- Would you recommend the book? To whom?
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