- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Macmillan (25 May 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0333904508
- ISBN-13: 978-0333904503
- Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,282,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Dystopia are a total phenomenon in Europe, so now it's time for this band from Manchester to crack the American market The first venue is in Las Vegas, and their opening concert there seems a huge success But secret envy and open animosity have begun to tear the group apart The lead singer Vid, is off on a predictable roller-coaster of self-indulgence and egomania...Jared, the lead guitarist, increasingly resents the fact that he is being shouldered out of the limelight his creative input surely ments...Spin, the warm-up DJ, longs to be back with his family in England, yet cannot resist a risky extramarital adventure...nor can their manager, Alex, resist the lure of personal gain that greed and duplicity can offer him. Then one of them dies, an apparent accident, and there begins to unravel a chilling saga of petty emotions, cynical manipulation, and murderously ruthless self-interest.
About the Author
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft in 1973, and during his teenage years played table tennis at international level. Around the age of eleven or twelve he began a science-fiction novel, still languishing in a drawer somewhere. While studying law at Manchester university, he started to DJ in local clubs, eventually landing a regular spot in the Hacienda, and organising indie nights for other students. After university he sold ice-cream in Chicago, then travelled around the East Coast of America and up into Canada. Returning to UK, he studied at law school in Chester for a year, then accepted a job at a top firm of solicitors in the City, where he still works in the litigation department. He now lives in Bow, in London's East End and is working on his second novel.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book has the worst cover I think I have ever seen. I would never have bought it without the recommendation of a friend. Look at the picture at the top of this page: what is this, Top Gun or something? Whoever came up with that idea needs to be taken outside and shot - I mean, what is it supposed to be saying? It doesn't say "pick me up." It definately doesn't say "Buy me..."
Rant over. If you can get past the worst cover in history this book is really good fun & a really fast read. The characters are all familiar: the arrogant (but talentless) singer, the egomaniacal songwriter, the quiet drummer, the testy keyboard player. The book is written with a very clever method in mind - dropping back and forward throughout the band's history so that eventually the death at the heart of the plot is revealed. Even at the end there is a lot of ambiguity - & scope for the reader to come to his/her own conclusion.
This book deserves to do a lot better than it will. I'm looking forward to the next one.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A very impressive debut from a writer well worth watching. Dystopia could be any band in recent history trying to make it big in the States after breaking the European market - an obvious comparison would be Oasis, although the Mancunian rascals' brotherly tantrums are nothing compared to what this bunch of malcontents get up to. Dawson's trick is managing to make the reader turn the page even when he or she doesn't care about what happens to them - in fact, I found myself hoping for the worst - it's like watching a car crash when he gets going. But you do want to find out more, and there is some really nice writing - Dawson can write a really great sentence. The blurb reveals that Dawson used to be a DJ at the Hacienda in Manchester - there are some scenes that make it obvious that he knows what he is talking about. I really enjoyed this book.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A STARTLING AND FEROCIOUS BOOK THAT TEARS THE VERY HEART OUT OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. A BRITISH GROUP ON THEIR FIRST US TOUR, LOST IN A HAZE OF BAD DRUGS AND INFIGHTING...AND THE ODD MURDER. LIFE IN BUCKS FIZZ WAS NEVER LIKE THIS. FOR ANYONE WHO EVER WANTED TO BE A ROCK STAR - BE GLAD YOU NEVER MADE IT, BELIEVE ME. BREATHTAKING STUFF.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Thoroughly addictive!
I finished this book in one weekend. If I could have got away with ignoring the kids, not cutting the grass or being distracted by so-called 'friends' I would have finished it in... Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2009 by Mark Roberts
Read this book.
An entralling read! Dawson has really put his all into this book. The character insight, plot development and the way it's written from various perspectives throughout is a... Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2004 by "laylanp"
this book rocks!
This book tells the story a rock band on a journey of death and destruction, with a bit of backstabbing en route. Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2003 by "rosalynjane"
Great story!
Excellent book - as someone interested in the music industry and rock n roll in general, the subject matter suited me perfectly! Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2003 by R. Ramsay
Unmissable...
I was unsure as to whether I would enjoy this book when I started reading it... however a few pages in I was hooked. Read more
Published on 17 Nov 2003 by "beckyjohnson1911"
Excellent debut novel, this book literally rocks!
To start - "The Art Of Falling Apart" is taken from a Soft Cell record, a British band from the 1980s, who were obviously a major influence on Dawson's teenage... Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2001 by Mr Craig R Lemon
Enthralling
It's not very often that I am captivated by a book, but there was something about the characters that made me want to keep on reading to see what they would do next. Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2001
Dead Good
I guess the most difficult thing about writing a book featuring a rock group must be conveying the band's sound to the reader. Read more
Published on 22 July 2001
A total waste of money
DO yourself a favour, either (a) don't buy this book or (b) if your in the store read up to page 50 and then turn to page 218 and read on. The rest is just there to fill up space. Read more
Published on 13 July 2001
Spin City
I did not know much about the music industry before I read this, but now I do. A really good read, and shows the characters in stark relief. Read more
Published on 2 July 2001 by pfryer@westpac.com.au
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