Bowie

By: Simon Critchley, Eric Hanson

Narrated by: Simon Critchley

Length: 1 hr and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Simon Critchley first encountered David Bowie in the early '70s, when the singer appeared on Britain's most-watched music show, Top of the Pops. His performance of "Starman" mesmerized Critchley: it was "so sexual, so knowing, so strange". Two days later Critchley's mum bought a copy of the single; she liked both the song and the performer's bright orange hair (she had previously been a hairdresser). The seed of a lifelong love affair was thus planted in the mind of her son, aged 12.

In this concise and engaging excursion through the songs of one of the world's greatest pop stars, Critchley, whose writings on philosophy have garnered widespread praise, melds personal narratives of how Bowie lit up his dull life in southern England's suburbs with philosophical forays into the way concepts of authenticity and identity are turned inside out in Bowie's work. The result is nearly as provocative and mind-expanding as the artist it portrays.

©2014 Simon Critchley (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

"Critchley lovingly unearths profoundly deep cuts from every Bowie era in a short sharp book worthy of its subject. Miraculously doubles up as an introduction to philosophy." (Gruff Rhys, member of Super Furry Animals)

"The most powerful and provocative philosopher now writing..." (Cornel West)

"A truly inspiring voice..." (PopMatters)

always enjoy others thoughts of artists I love.

although you can tell the author is very passionate. the writing tends to become a little to scripted. generalizing the whole book rather than making it an experience of experiences.

the best music culture theory book that exists

the deepest and riveting piece of music criticism i have ever read. and i sm occasionally in the music press. to come even close we're looking at work like modris eksteins rite of spring or gesualdos death in five voices or david byrnes how does music work. but everything mentioned and critchleys book as well are singularities and have only the faintest similarities insofar as they are narrative meditations about music. this is avery special book.

One Man’s Love Letter to Bowie’s Musical Journey

Expected a more traditional biography but found a distanced exploration of Bowie from one man’s perception and experience as a lifelong fan. For this novice, the book provided new insights as to Bowie’s overall catalogue. One has to wonder if the author, like an English teacher, is finding meaning where there is none.

decent

devout bowie fans will find some new insights into Bowie as a person, what he believed, as well as his music. For the price and time spent listening, you might as well. it's artistic and philosophical, not pop culture anti-intellectualism.

Could not finish

If you are expecting a biography of Bowie's life this is not it. Instead, the author dives deep into lyrical philosophy and existential contemplation. It's more about the author's connection to the musician as opposed to understanding the life of this exceptional man. The end result: an intellectual adjective-infused soliloquy that leaves the listener with a puzzled, "Could you repeat that sentence? You lost me." Not for me....zzzzzz.....