John

By: Cynthia Lennon, Julian Lennon

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor, Julian Lennon, Cynthia Lennon

Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The extraordinary story of a man, a legend and a marriage

When she was 18-years-old, a girl named Cynthia Powell met a boy named John Lennon, and they fell in love. Their 10-year relationship coincided with the start of the Beatles phenomenon—from Liverpool's dockside clubs to the dizzying worldwide fame that followed. And Cynthia Lennon, John's first wife, was an integral part of the swirl of events that are now an indelible part of the history of rock and roll.

In John, Cynthia recalls those times with the loving honesty of an insider, offering new and fascinating insights into the life of John Lennon and the early days of the Beatles. And with the perspective only years can provide, she also tells the compelling story of her marriage to a man who was to become a music legend, a cultural hero, and a defining figure of the 20th century.

Cynthia has seldom talked in any detail about her marriage and the painful events that followed John's tragic assassination in 1980. Now she candidly reveals the good and the bad, the loving and the cruel sides of John. She tells of the breakdown of their marriage and the beginning of his relationship with Yoko Ono in more detail than has ever been disclosed before and documents the difficulties estrangement from John - and his subsequent death—brought for herself and their son, Julian.

In John, Cynthia Lennon has created a vivid portrait of the 1960s, the Beatles, and the man she never stopped loving.

"The time has come when I feel ready to tell the truth about John and me, our years together and the years since his death. There is so much that I have never said, so many incidents I have never spoken of and so many feelings I have never expressed: great love on one hand; pain, torment and humiliation on the other. Only I know what really happened between us, why we stayed together, why we parted and the price I have paid for being John’s wife.I want to tell the real story of the real John—the infuriating, lovable, sometimes cruel, funny, talented and needy man who made such an impact on the world." (From the Introduction)

©2005 Cynthia Lennon (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Lennon’s eyewitness testimony vividly captures the time and place and the characters...her portrait of John is loving but candid.” (Washington Post)

“[Cynthia Lennon’s] portrait reveals an immensely talented and driven man who was capable of great passion, affection, and loyalty, but whose inability to handle confrontation and tendency toward flight from painful realities led him to abandon his family when the going got tough.” (Buffalo News)

“A welcome window into a period that’s typically narrated at breakneck pace, [providing] a gentle reminder that John Lennon was a human being...before he was a piece of history.” (Detroit Free Press)

John

Extremely well written, gives the listener an “insider’s pass” into the eccentricities and “otherness” of Lennon’s world, in a way that also respects his unique genius. Narrator also does a fantastic job in both her reading style and vocal tonality (which is very similar to that of Cynthia Lennon). Overall a must for any fan of John Lennon and The Beatles!

Dignity and an Inspiration

Of the way Cynthia lived her life and the way she raised Julian.
She was truly the “mother” John needed in his life..however he chose what he was used to…because as much as he searched for peace and forgiveness..he never found it…and I hope he is in peace…because as he said it is there…you just have to chose it…

Fascinating

Being the scene’s look at a fascinating love story. RIP Cynthia, God Bless Julian. Thanks.

A must for any Lennon fan

I very much enjoyed this look into John's personal and professional life. Kind of knocked my music idol down to being human. I did enjoy Cynthia's view of Beatlemania and how it affected their family. Very revealing into Johns demons that he struggled with every day. Made me dislike Yoko even more than I already did. Some of the things Cynthia writes ( I know one sided) even so, if even close to truth Yoko is a raging, controlling, heartless B*TCH. WOW is all I can say. most would have put a hit out on her. I feel for Cynthia and Johns family. I would recommend this book highly, narration was spot on.

Exceptional book

As a Beatle fan I have read books about John's life. This book written by Johns wife is my favorite. The narrator did a fine job. I am sorry to have finished it so quickly as it was pure joy and entertainment.

I read one mans review of this book calling Cynthia a bitter ex wife rewriting history with John Lennon. This could be no further from the truth. I have read most books about the life of John Lennon and her version is in sync with other who knew him, his life with Cynthia and then with Yoko. RIP Cynthia and thank you for sharing your memories both good and bad.

I loved this book

It was so nice to finally hear from Cynthia. We always hear about Yoko, but never Cynthia. It is a wonderful book and it made me sad how hurt she was over him, but it was beautiful to hear how much she loved him. It was well read.

A compelling take on a flawed iconic man

Great read for any Beatles fan! John Lennon is kind of great a antihero. As the leader of such an iconic band as The Beatles & half of arguably the greatest songwriter duo of modern music, John Lennon brought joy to billions of people and helped shape modern music. He is fascinating, and oddly relatable in his disdain and antipathy towards society while at the same time craving society’s attention & recognition.

I’m glad Cynthia Lennon shared her account of John. You can’t help but feel for her, but no more so then for their son, Julien Lennon. His experiences of growing up with all the trappings of being the son of one of the most famous men of Earth with little of the treasures it can bring, always in the shadow of John’s moods and mercy.

It’s interesting hearing Cynthia’s take on Aunt Mimi & Yoko Ono. Her shedding light on Aunt Mimi’s relationship with John makes it more understandable on how Yoko got to John. Aunt Mimi & Yoko are quite the villains! But in the end the greatest villain in his own story turns out to be John…

Cynn should have trip balls with John!

John was human, it's tough to except. John was complex and wounded, this was a wonderful experience to see behind the scenes of the GOAT! John was the Greatest of all Time and his message changed the world forever...but in the end he was a deeply hurt young man who's pain was never able to escape him. Poor Julian, when Yoko dies it all goes to Sean. My heroes never ended up with great women at the end. Cynthia I love you...and so did John.

Best first hand book about John Lennon.

I more than recommend this book that tells of what John Lennon was truly like. Cynthia tells a very complete and truly honest account of her life with John Lennon in captivating detail. She doesn’t sugarcoat or undermine her accounts of what really happened between her, John, Julian, Yoko and everyone else. She told it as it was. I applaud Cynthia for her true candor. She was truly in love with John. Hats off to you Cynthia!

Forget the so-called "Beatle Historians"

This is the only true inside story you're going to read about John and the Beatles, the other books are just amateur attempts. Cynthia was there from the Quarrymen until nearly the end of John's life. A well told story about John, warts and all. A must read for any serious Beatles fan and hey, who isn't?