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Threepenny Memoir: The Lives of a Libertine
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Review
‘Unputdownable’ Q Magazine
‘Very honest, likeable…an appealing roughness’ Metro
Review
'Unputdownable' Q Magazine 'Very honest, likeable!an appealing roughness' Metro
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was crazy about The Libertines between 2002 and 2004, and like many young people growing up in that era saw them as a soundtrack to my youth. These days I rarely play their records, and thought the reunion was financially motivated and looked contrived, but I maintain a keen interest in the band members and their respective stories. I therefore eagerly picked up Carl Barat's autobiography as soon as it was released, and was not disappointed. It encompasses his years of substance abuse, his various states of mind, experiences with therapy, his views on various events and his amusing stories of people he knew and loved as well as recollections of his formative years. It's very enjoyable, very readable and highly literary, despite the casual writing style.
It's also extremely disjointed and frustratingly vague about many events (such as Peter's burglary of his flat, which is just dropped in casually a couple of times without ever being expanded upon). If you're looking for intimate details of romantic relationships you'll be disappointed too. Ditto, there are scarce details about any of the songs he wrote, either with The Libertines of the Dirty Pretty Things, which will be a major drawback for those reading this book from a musical perspective, wanting to know the inspirations and writing processes behind some of his great tracks. If you're looking for more detail and cohesion in the story of his life between 1998 and 2005, you are best to pick up The Libertines Bound Together by Anthony Thornton as a companion piece, as it will give many of the events recounted more clarity and perspective.
On the whole though it's an entertaining and often funny account. He talks in detail about drugs, drink, life and most aspects of himself and his personality, interspersing these with reminisces on the past and tales of events gone by, without ever slipping into traditional chronological autobiographical form. At its best it's nostalgic, heartfelt and draws the reader in emotionally, with snapshots of places and people and events that are slightly romanticised but nevertheless have an effect on the reader. It's definitely a page turner for anyone interested in Barat or his music, and due to its not significant length it can be consumed quickly, but probably has some re-readability. Recommended.
It's also extremely disjointed and frustratingly vague about many events (such as Peter's burglary of his flat, which is just dropped in casually a couple of times without ever being expanded upon). If you're looking for intimate details of romantic relationships you'll be disappointed too. Ditto, there are scarce details about any of the songs he wrote, either with The Libertines of the Dirty Pretty Things, which will be a major drawback for those reading this book from a musical perspective, wanting to know the inspirations and writing processes behind some of his great tracks. If you're looking for more detail and cohesion in the story of his life between 1998 and 2005, you are best to pick up The Libertines Bound Together by Anthony Thornton as a companion piece, as it will give many of the events recounted more clarity and perspective.
On the whole though it's an entertaining and often funny account. He talks in detail about drugs, drink, life and most aspects of himself and his personality, interspersing these with reminisces on the past and tales of events gone by, without ever slipping into traditional chronological autobiographical form. At its best it's nostalgic, heartfelt and draws the reader in emotionally, with snapshots of places and people and events that are slightly romanticised but nevertheless have an effect on the reader. It's definitely a page turner for anyone interested in Barat or his music, and due to its not significant length it can be consumed quickly, but probably has some re-readability. Recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is probably one of my favourite music memoirs of recent times, for the simple reason that Carl writes this in a way that enables his personality to come across.
Too many books written by celebrities are either a collection of anecdotes without any personal narrative or simply serve to promote a false personal image. This book provides a frank, humerous book that delivers plenty of eloquant disclosures.
A few reviews have criticised the lack of detail regarding more outrageous moments within the Libertines cannon, mainly Pete breaking into his flat. This is covered in the book and because it was known, really does not require any further elaboration. I think the action speaks for itself and reveals the diverse aspects of the main protagonists in The Libertines.
Carl explains his inspirations and explains the main influences in his life. This helps to give greater understanding to his lyrical compositions without ever being boring because they are directly drawn from incidents that occured in his life in the Libertines and beyond.
It is written with brevity, clarity and as such is a well paced tale that moves quickly. The book is full of great detail, yet never outstays its welcome. I wish it was 200 or so pages longer, simply because it kept my full attention in one sitting. The sure sign of a great read.
Too many books written by celebrities are either a collection of anecdotes without any personal narrative or simply serve to promote a false personal image. This book provides a frank, humerous book that delivers plenty of eloquant disclosures.
A few reviews have criticised the lack of detail regarding more outrageous moments within the Libertines cannon, mainly Pete breaking into his flat. This is covered in the book and because it was known, really does not require any further elaboration. I think the action speaks for itself and reveals the diverse aspects of the main protagonists in The Libertines.
Carl explains his inspirations and explains the main influences in his life. This helps to give greater understanding to his lyrical compositions without ever being boring because they are directly drawn from incidents that occured in his life in the Libertines and beyond.
It is written with brevity, clarity and as such is a well paced tale that moves quickly. The book is full of great detail, yet never outstays its welcome. I wish it was 200 or so pages longer, simply because it kept my full attention in one sitting. The sure sign of a great read.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I actually quite like this book. It's nice to hear Carl's version of things in a way that isn't disrespectful to other people involved (like Peter which he refered to with sadness more than anger, I believe). It's definitely not a linear, classic autobiography, and people who want to know great details about very precise things or events will be disapointed, but in my opinion it is a very honest, yet humorous, book written with in a way that makes you feel like you understand the man better, his persona, his temper and his perspective on life. The anecdotes are personal, the focus is mostly on his feelings and emotional recollection of the events of his life, which makes this book a little frustrating for people who are interested in The Libertines or the music in general. Some people will although appreciate that, as it allows Carl to write about things that havent been said elsewhere about him and the dynamic of the band. In this book, Carl doesn't deny his flaws and he gives credits where it's due, which I appreciate. Like other people mentionned, it's a quick read but I think some excerpts can be re-read whenever you feel like it.
(English is my second language, so I apologize for any mistake in my review. Thanks)
(English is my second language, so I apologize for any mistake in my review. Thanks)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a wonderful memoir instead of cobbled-together fan facts
thank god, a musician who can really WRITE. i bought it out of interest as a fan but was quickly well and truly in its thrall and was very sad to put it down. Read more
Published 5 months ago by IC
Moving in its honesty
While Barat's flat writing style is not what you would expect from someone who's penned such clever lyrics in the last few years, the book is definitely worth reading. Read more
Published 9 months ago by AliceInWonder
Endearing
I really enjoyed this book. Fast paced, yet endearing, it was clearly written from the heart.
Carl has written about Carl, rather than writing yet another Libertines biog. Read more
Carl has written about Carl, rather than writing yet another Libertines biog. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Clashcity
Living on the Fumes of the Libertines
Okay, I got this book in the hopes that my opinion of Carl would improve, it did not. To be fair, maybe that is the ghostwriter's fault. Carl says a lot without saying much. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Marie
lives of a Libertine
Excellent book.
Should be read by all those who want to know Carl Barat's better.
Astonishing, really.
Should be read by all those who want to know Carl Barat's better.
Astonishing, really.
Published 19 months ago by sabrina
Barat the Rambling Man
As a massive Libertines and Barat fan i could not wait for this book to arrive. I've always liked the Libertines and also a fan of the Dirty Pretty Things. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Sean Fitzgerald
Great read
I'm going to be honest, big Carl fan anyway. I love the Libertines and Dirty Pretty Things (yet to buy solo album but from the songs I've heard as yet, is good also). Read more
Published 19 months ago by Charlotte
Yes, there are two paths you can go by
Considering how many others have trod down Carl's chosen path to fame, it's surprising that there aren't that many other rock'n'roll memoirs of this quality out there to compare it... Read more
Published 19 months ago by John Ferngrove
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