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Changeling: The Autobiography of Mike Oldfield [Hardcover]

Mike Oldfield
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
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Book Description

10 May 2007

Born without social instincts many people take for granted, brought up in an environment that was beyond his ability to deal with and possessed with an extraordinary musical talent, Mike was thrust into the spotlight at the tender age of nineteen. His first album Tubular Bells went on to sell fifteen million copies worldwide and catapulted him into a stardom he was ill equipped to cope with.

From growing up with an alcoholic mother, to his feelings of alienation and struggles with depression, this book takes Mike from his early years, through his staggering fame, his broken marriages, years as a recluse and to his rebirth experience at a controversial Exegis seminar. Mike Oldfield has been on a journey few of us could ever imagine, and offers a message of hope to anybody who feels they live on the edge of society.


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Product details

  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Virgin Books; First Edition edition (10 May 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 185227381X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1852273811
  • Product Dimensions: 15.2 x 2.7 x 24.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 22,598 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Product Description

Review

A record industry legend (The Times )

A musical icon (Telegraph )

Book Description

The incredible autobiography of Mike Oldfield

Inside This Book (Learn More)
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars brave and beautiful 13 May 2007
By Dr. Robert A. Josey VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
I've been a true Oldfield fan since I was eleven, and was a teenager during his transition phase in 1978. I wish I had known a lot of this then - it would have gone a long way to understanding what was happening to his music. I read this book through in one go on the day I got it and found it quite an experience to reassess all that I'd thought I'd known about Mike Oldfield.

I don't think I have ever read a biography quite like this. It seems to be a real reflection of Mike's character. It is moving, funny, revealing and philosophical. There are quite a few unintentionally humorous parts - and that is good, because the reader gets a generally unfiltered view of Mike's take on life.

The person who emerges is haunted and vulnerable, and not like your usual moronic rock star. If I wasn't an Oldfield fan I would still be fascinated by the story of his life, his perceptions and psychology.

This a proper auto-biography. There is a musical journey through the 60's onwards - and Mike's comments on punk are hilarious. Then there are some colorful stories and anecdotes - like a fifteen-year-old Mike being reprimanded by Keith Richards for 'thrashing' his guitar then hiding in a corner.

And there is the deeper level of pain and distress, the serious issue of mental illness and how it was treated thirty years ago. That is where the 'brave' comes in. The documentary aspects of this side of the biography are gripping and upsetting.

The 'beautiful' is that Mike Oldfield emerges as a flawed human being - gifted to genius level - but compassionate, kind and aware of the 'mystical'/spiritual side of life. After a while I could hear his actual voice speaking in the writing. He is amiable, reflective, puzzled, enthusiastic, and really amusing.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Putting the record straight 14 May 2007
Format:Hardcover
Mike Oldfield fans will enjoy this. He's always been an ellusive kind of musician, against the grain of what's expected of mainstream music. The earliest albums have something of a cult reputation (massive sales of Tubular Bells make it rather more than a cult, but it remains an intimate experience), the later albums frustratingly uneven.

Oldfield's autobiography is his most satisfying production for years. As a book, it's an absorbing read, not too brief. The best sections deal with his formative years and the impact of new fame. He really does explain his early life very well. Fans will know many basic facts, but there's a kind of honesty in his book, which is quite raw in places. Amateur psychologists will love it. Naturally, the gossip can't be there, his personal relationships are barely mentioned, which is fair enough. But his own way of thinking comes over fully: therapy, emotional difficulties, (interesting) grumbles about money. In some senses, you can feel he's unburdoning himself, putting problems to rest. The only troubling aspect of this is the recognition that his best music was made under duress, and that his future work will have none of that necessary emotional drive. Die-hard fans have always wanted a repeat of the early works (he has come close) and the end of the book optimistically hints at an attempted return, thanks to self-awareness. Recommended.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read 20 May 2007
By Ian
Format:Hardcover
A fascinating insight into the life of Mike Oldfield. I loved reading this book and indeed enjoy his music. There is no doubt that he had a difficult childhood and adolesence, at which time he was at his most musically motivated. The book comes across as very frank and honest and Oldfield never over sells himself. Spiritually speaking I do wonder if he has found the truth yet? Sadly alot of Oldfields latter works have gone largely unappreciated. But he has stood the test of time. In a recent interview Mike stated that his next work will be classical in format and that it was the only thing that he hadnt really tried. I do hope that there will be a few more works before an inevitable retirement (well deserved). Once again I loved reading this book and even if your not an Oldfield fan I would recommend it. Commendable is the fact that money from the sale of this book will go to charity.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Mike Oldfield, The Chageling
I bought this prompted by the quiz that his fan club are running at the moment, not sure why I didnt buy this when came out as always been a MO fan since TB came out. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Marcus
5.0 out of 5 stars book for a gift
It was well received by my son-in-law; was chosen from his wish list on Amazon - which is a brilliant invention. He loves the book. I can't wait to borrow it.
Published 4 months ago by Jeannie Cottage
5.0 out of 5 stars ENLIGHTENING READ
I have always loved Tubular Bells and other MO music and decided that I would like to know a little bit more about the man behind all this wonderful music. Read more
Published 8 months ago by thingummyjig
5.0 out of 5 stars Changeling review
First of all it's fair to say the writing style is a bit dry but if if Mike was a writer he'd had been writing books since 1973 instead of recording some of the best and most... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Stick Man
3.0 out of 5 stars Hmmmm....
I bought this as I'm a fan of Mr Oldfields music, but his reclusive nature has meant that I didn't know much about the man, and I was fascinated to learn about his creative... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Stufromthequays
5.0 out of 5 stars A small insight into the mind of a musical genius
First of all, I have been a fan of Mike Oldfield for many years, so would have purchased this book without reading a single review. Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2011 by Gary Coupe
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, never wanted it to end
Incredible book. I am in awe of his talent and his success. Mike Oldfield truly has written this from the heart.
Published on 7 Jan 2011 by Intuitiveconsultant
4.0 out of 5 stars An review of a life
Covers the life of this composer/player who has not had any charmed upbringing or special favours, nor from a famous family. Read more
Published on 27 May 2010 by Mr. A. R. Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening
Great read, learnt a great deal about Mikes past, his struggles, the highs and lows. I've been a fan for almost 30 years so it was good to hear about his music and how it was put... Read more
Published on 1 April 2010 by Andy
5.0 out of 5 stars Intimate and informative
With some delay, finally read it and it's been an absolute pleasure. If you read Rick Wakeman's 'Say Yes' autobiography, then you can understand what one means by 'charmingly funny... Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2009 by Palmyra
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