Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A really informative but readable book, 25 Sep 2001
This review is from: The Complete Lynch (Paperback)
This book seems, to me, the bible by which all Lynch fans should live by. It contains loads of info from Lynch's first experimental shorts like The Alphabet and Six Figures Getting Sick. Twin Peaks fans will love this too, but even if you're just after a complete overview of Lynch's work, this is the book to buy. It's recent too, going right up to his new picture, Mulholland Drive. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good book but BE CAREFUL., 27 Jun 2003
This review is from: The Complete Lynch (Paperback)
Writing as a newcomer to David Lynch and as someone who hasn't yet seen all his films there are a couple of things people in the same situation as me should bear in mind when reading/buying this book. My main problem with it is that I don't like the interpretations of the films. Whilst Hughes does state that these are his own interpretations and not to be taken as authoritative there is an element of magic which is lost from films like 'Eraserhead' when they're pinned down to a definition, especially if, like me, you enjoy the very ambiguous nature of the films. Some may relish an 'explanation' of these films and others may have their own interpretation which differs strongly from Hughes' own and so not feel the film has been compromised for them. Don't get me wrong, this book isn't about to spoil the movies for anyone i just don't think that Lynch's work neccessarily lends itself to being pinned down to anything. Secondly, the book states clearly at the beginning that some of the chapters contain spoilers and advises against reading them if you haven't seen them. This is fair warning and so I steered clear of these chapters, however when reading the chapter on 'Lost Highway' i stumbled across a reference to 'Twin Peaks' which gives away Laura Palmer's killer, kind of a crucial plot point, and not one that i'd gotten up to yet. I haven't spotted any other such pitfalls although there may well be some. In other ways of course this is a highly informative, readable and well researched book which contains many insights into the film-making process, historical details, geeky levels of trivia, some revealing details of unseen material and for die-hard Lynch fans is an absolute must. I do however feel that it may not be an ideal read for anyone new to Lynch such as myself.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth the purchase price -- useful and entertaining., 9 Jun 2002
By Matthew H. Stevenson - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Complete Lynch (Paperback)
Hughes' book is an indispensable addition to the bookshelf of the recent Lynch initiate, casual fan, or long-time follower of Lynch's career and work. Even trivia magnets will find numerous new and fascinating facts and anecdotes. This is the rare book that can be used either as a career overview, reference work, or just a worthwhile, enjoyable read. The book is divided into sections, one for each work up to and including Mulholland Drive [not only film and TV works] and each is subdivided into categories such as trivia, cut scenes, availability, Lynch Mob (reappearances of members of Lynch's stable of frequent collaborators), or Lynch's own comments on each work. The index is very thorough as well, so the book can be enjoyed non-chronologically in bite-size pieces if desired. Hughes has gone to the horse's mouth for many of the relevant facts and observances, having interviewed Lynch himself and many who work with him. The book is well-stocked with information, opinion and analysis without coming across as dry or pedantic. I'm very glad I picked it up. Not nebulous and overly general like some works about Lynch, or a collection of the opinions of one writer like some others, Hughes' book should be purchased and read by anyone with an interest in the work of David Lynch,or in the wide-ranging, well-rounded and fascinating man himself. 3 thumbs up. Buy and keep near TV.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
lots of facts, little analysis, 26 Mar 2002
By MK - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Complete Lynch (Paperback)
if you're looking for a more in-depth analysis, you might want to look elsewhere, but for straightforward facts about Lynch films, this is a great guide. it systematically goes through a series of catagories (cast/crew, production history, cut scenes, etc. ; also some weirder catagories like "deja vu," "apocrypha,"- all of these lend to a greater understanding of the material in lynch's films) this ultimately ended up being the most helpful book on lynch I read, if only because it made finding actual facts about each subject really easy
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Complete Book For The Complete Lynch Fan, 12 Feb 2002
By "akanizaj" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Complete Lynch (Paperback)
Let me start off by saying that this review may be a little prejudiced. I helped David Hughes collect some of the movies and info for the book, and became buddies with him in the process. However, all that aside this is a great book. Rather than being culled from "found" interviews and information, slopped together with a little psychoanalysis and fanfare, David has based his book on three things 1) an obsessive love of all things Lynchian, 2) an obsessive **knowledge** of all things Lynchian, and 3) a personal meeting with Mr. Lynch himself, which allowed this book to have interviews, quotes, opinions, etc. from the man himself that no other source in the world has. In addition to being the ultimate book for the ultimate Lynch fan, this book has everything you could want in a comprehensive "guide" to Lynch for those wanting to immerse themselves in the Lynch universe for the first time. Full color photos, a VERY detailed episode by episode guide to Twin Peaks, information on his newest projects (Mulholland Drive, his internet ventures), as well as those that never made it (One Saliva Bubble, Rocket Ronnie, etc.). To sum it up, I believe anybody interested in Lynch should buy this book. It is intelligently written, thoroughly researched, and a joy to read. Lastly, I believe this book can pass the one test no other book about Lynch has been able to (to my knowledge): I defy you to find a factual mistake in this book. While I won't discuss it here, believe me that others are rife with them and this is a topic often discussed on my email discussion group. As a matter of fact, if any one is interested in learning more about David Lynch, discussing him and his works, and, as an extra bonus, getting to meet the author of this book, David Hughes (he is a frequent poster to the list) go to the yahoo groups website, sign in, and go to Lynchians! Enjoy the book!
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