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Autobiography

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About this listen

Steven Patrick Morrissey was born in Manchester on May 22nd 1959. Singer-songwriter and co-founder of the Smiths (1982-1987), Morrissey has been a solo artist for twenty-six years, during which time he has had three number 1 albums in England in three different decades. Achieving eleven Top 10 albums (plus nine with the Smiths), his songs have been recorded by David Bowie, Nancy Sinatra, Marianne Faithfull, Chrissie Hynde, Thelma Houston, My Chemical Romance and Christy Moore, amongst others.

An animal protectionist, in 2006 Morrissey was voted the second greatest living British icon by viewers of the BBC, losing out to Sir David Attenborough. In 2007 Morrissey was voted the greatest northern male, past or present, in a nationwide newspaper poll. In 2012, Morrissey was awarded the Keys to the City of Tel-Aviv. It has been said 'Most pop stars have to be dead before they reach the iconic status that Morrissey has reached in his lifetime.

David Morrissey is one of the most versatile actors of his generation. He is also a screenwriter and director.

©2013 Morrissey (P)2013 Penguin Audio Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Biography Witty Funny Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"Five stars. With typical pretension, Morrissey's first book has been published as a Penguin Classic. It justifies such presentation with a beautifully measured prose style that combines a lilting, poetic turn of phrase and acute quality of observation, revelling in a kind of morbid glee at life's injustice with arch, understated humour ... It is recognisably the voice of the most distinctive British pop lyricist of his era." (Neil McCormack, Daily Telegraph)
"The Best Music Biog Ever ... In the world of rock autobiographies, Morrissey's is nigh-on perfect." (Ben Hewitt, NME)
"A brilliant and timely book ... What is so refreshing about Morrissey's Autobiography is its very messiness, its deliriously florid, overblown prose style, its unwillingness to kowtow to a culture of literary formula and commercial pigeon-holing ... Autobiography is a true baggy monster, a book in which a distinctive prose style is allowed to develop ... A rococo triumph ... Overwhelmingly this is a book to be thankful for ... In the ways that matter, Autobiography reads like a work of genuine literary class" (Alex Niven)
All stars
Most relevant

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd recommend this book to fellow Morrissey fans, thought probably not to anyone who just wanted to read a good, solid music autobiography. For the most part it's an enjoyable read, but we don't really discover anything much that we didn't already know and there's a bit too much dwelling on the court cases and nastiness that has been documented so many times before.

What did you like best about this story?

His language and turn of phrase. Nobody could pass off a ghost-written autobiography for Morrissey. His use of the English language is what has kept many of us hanging off his every word for all these years and it's here in abundance.

Morrissey - Warts (and all) Not Included

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What made the experience of listening to Autobiography the most enjoyable?

So eloquently written.

What does David Morrissey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The northern accent. Made it seem like Morrissey was reading it himself!

Any additional comments?

I think one reviewer has said it already but he should write more books!!

Brilliant

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What did you like most about Autobiography?

I have always loved the way Morrisey writes and his use of the English Language simply fascinates me. As with much of his writing, his autobiography isn't as clear cut as some other personalities (I won't use the term celebrity) and it makes the reader/listener think, but it is that individual style I have admired for 30 years. An amazing journey from challenging childhood through to the current day with lots of detailed insights and stories along the way.

What does David Morrissey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I believe his reading of the book in terms of accent and presentation style was as close to having Morrissey have this heart to heart with the listener himself. Excellently and engagingly read.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely yes. Couldn't turn it off and will probably listen to it again in the very near future which is something I rarely do.

Compelling

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The wonderfully written tale of a deeply bitter man. Fascinating and compelling, but ultimately very sad.
David Morrissey is outstanding.
I recommend this for fans and critics alike.

Excellent

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I love Morrissey and his music. This book is worthwhile to any fan, I can't wait to listen again. He is a treasure and a hero to me. I will miss listening to this and hope to hear more. Thank you.

Fantastic

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