John Lennon: The Life by Philip Norman

[eleny]

I'm a slow reader and am surprised that after only several days I'm halfway through this 800+ page book.

No spoilers here but I will say it isn't padded with fluff. I like that it covers his early life with a lot of detail about his immediate family. Also, in going into his life, it covers a history of the group itself.

I understand that the book is controversial but I'm glad to be reading it. I was 17 when the group arrived for their first appearance here in the U.S.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Why is it considered controversial?

[eleny]

5. I read that his wife was pretty freaked out about it

I don't want to post any spoilers. But let's just say he could be a real sob according to some quoted in this book.

[BrklynLiberal]

10. Thks.

[Captain Hilts]

2. And, of course, yesterday was the 45th anniversary...

[Stanchetalarooni]

3. I just finished reading it last week.

It was a fairly insightful read, especially regarding both of his natural parents. He was quite a complex character. The author did his best to examine the person rather than the rock star.

[Maccagirl]

4. I got it from the library

and the only fact I see Mr Norman got completely wrong was in regards to John's half-sister who was given up for adoption in June 1945. She was adopted by a sea captain and his wife and "was taken back to Norway", Not true. Her name is Ingrid Pederson and she and her adoptive parents never left Liverpool. She found out that she was Julia's daughter in 1966, but didn't want to disrupt John's life. I'll have to go through and see if there are any other errors.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

6. I read it before Christmas.

It's very well written. Has a lot of subtlety to it.
A lot of interesting details have come out in it, that show situations not being as black or white as most people think.

Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, George Martin and many other people were interviewed for this book. Many of them had never spoken on the record before.

I recommend it highly.

I was eight when the Beatles hit the Ed Sullivan Show, and was crazy about them like most of the young ladies of America. :D

Beatles Lineup:

Sexgod/guitargod -- sexgod/guitargod -- sexgod/guitargod -- drummer :D

[eleny]

8. I thought his analysis of their appeal was interesting

I was 17 when they got to the U.S. My family talked about Sinatra and others from their generation and earlier and the kind of appeal they all had. So it was nice how Norman did comparisons to earlier heart throb entertainers.

I like how Norman goes into all sorts of details down to day to day happenings in Lennon's personal life as well the development of the group. I appreciate all that.

So much going on today in the news. And I've got to clean my kitchen. But I want to go read some more for an hour or so. The dishwasher can wait. :D

[T Wolf]

7. My daughter gave it to me for Xmas. I am enjoying reading it slowly. IMO, it is very well-written

and gives great insight into the world that created the genius of John Lennon. Just got past the return from Hamburg.

[eleny]

9. Yeah, I like the broad approach

It makes me want to read Norman's other bio books.