Author:Debbie Harry
I was never a huge fan of Blondie, although I liked them. Along with Talking Heads, Elvis Costello and XTC they were for me the best of the late 70s “new wave” bands. I listen to the audio book version of this, which Debbie reads in a very appealing way, kind of detached, a bit like her singing, but also very honest, straightforward and informative. She’s upfront about the fact that her God-given looks have played a part in her success (hence the title) and she paints a vivid picture of 70s NYC – the grunge, drugs, crime but also the punk spirit and the weird and wonderful charcaters she encountered along the way. She also talks a lot about her love/friendship with Chris Stein, looking after him and their separation.
Length of Read:Long
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
Blondie, 70s NY punk and new wave
One thing you’ve learned
It’s OK to like dressing up
I dug her in Wind In The Willows, man, before she like, sold out?
Her DID was rather good.
I was so looking forward to reading this when I was given it for Christmas a few years ago, but I found it disappointingly detached and unengaging. She certainly has a remarkable story to tell, but in my view it isn’t told as well as I had hoped and anticipated. Perhaps she wasn’t willing to give us access to her behind the New York cool persona. The story may come across more warmly when delivered in her own voice, though.
Yes I liked her voice reading it, don’t think I would have got far with it as a book to read myself
I read a biog of The Blondie Band by Kris Needs shortly before reading Face It, and found hers to be underwhelming.
As you say, detached, like there was something she wasn’t telling us.