Frank

The True Story that Inspired the Movie

By: Jon Ronson

Narrated by: Jon Ronson

In the late 1980s Jon Ronson was the keyboard player in the Frank Sidebottom Oh Blimey Big Band. Frank wore a big fake head. Nobody outside his inner circle knew his true identity. This became the subject of feverish speculation during his zenith years. Together, they rode relatively high. Then it all went wrong.

Twenty-five years later and Jon has co-written a movie, Frank, inspired by his time in this great and bizarre band. Frank is set for release in 2014, starring Michael Fassbender, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Domhnall Gleeson and directed by Lenny Abrahamson.

Frank: The True Story that Inspired the Movie is a memoir of funny, sad times and a tribute to outsider artists too wonderfully strange to ever make it in the mainstream. It tells the true story behind the fictionalized movie.

Jon Ronson is an award-winning writer and documentary maker. He is the author of four best sellers, Them: Adventures with Extremists, The Men Who Stare at Goats, The Psychopath Test and Lost at Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries, and two collections, Out of the Ordinary: True Tales of Everyday Craziness and What I Do: More True Tales of Everyday Craziness. He lives in London and New York City.

©2014 Jon Ronson (P)2014 Audible Ltd

Two thumbs up

Jon Ronson books are always worth the read/listen. This is is just as odd and entertaining as any other. 10/10 Would buy again.

Not the author's best

Jon Ronson once again delivers a tale in his own fascinating way. Unfortunately, there was not a lot of meat here, and the story suffers for that.

Short but good

It's no Psychopath Test, but if you have finished all Ronson's other full-length works this is a nice addition for those craving more.

Jon Ronson can do no wrong!

Would you listen to Frank again? Why?

Yes, he is relevant and provocative. Great writer.

What did you like best about this story?

His gentle irony.And what a great story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I chuckled throughout, but also resonated with the sadness.

Wish there was more

This wasn't a bad story by any means, it's just disappointing that this is just the last chapter of 'Lost at Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries' as a separate release. Which in of itself isn't the worst thing ever, however I have been listening to all of Ronson's books in order and to have this follow Lost at Sea in that order left me a bit dissapointed that it wasn't a more comprehensive expanded version of this story.

If you already have Lost at Sea you can skip this one, unless your are a completionist/collector or just want to support the author by buying all they have on offer.