Favourite book this year

I loved this book and often think about it. I bought the book expecting it would be a straightforward punk memoir from someone who was there. I finished it wanting to be a better father and husband. Honest, beautifully written and impactful. Must get the second volume now.

The performance is also spot on by Jasmine Blackborow.

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Great Story Slightly Let Down by Narrator

The story was great and really took me back to the sounds and characters of my youth. The narrator, while giving a very consistent performance overall, let the side down with some sloppy mispronunciation of names which, for me, was hugely distracting and annoying. For example, she correctly pronounced Poly Styrene, then went back and called her Poly as in Jam Roly Poly….all I could think from then on was It’s Polly, It’s Polly, It’s BLOODY POLLY!!! It may seem like a small thing to fixate on, but this was just one example from many, the cumulative effect of which was extreme irritation - not at all conducive to an enjoyable listening experience!

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1 person found this helpful

amazing book! honest as hell!

amazing book! relatable, honest as hell! loved it. blood, sweat and tears. a real biography of a great woman.

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2 people found this helpful

A refreshingly honest perspective.

A great book, reminded of my younger times and the confusion. Thankfully Viv has pulled through the early bit and the grown up bit and still has a great perspective on art, creativity and how women can be excluded from this process in tiny ways that demean and belittle.

I also agree also with her opening about aging musos writing autobiographies. Absolutely true but we are all twats in our own run down little ways. Nice to be reminded of it.

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3 people found this helpful

amazing life so far

I became a bit addicted to this story. viv is clearly a very strong person and has come through a lot. she is inspirational to me and reinforces my belief that playing your own music live is not just for young people. there is enough to be angry about in your fifties and people identify with that I think. well done

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Brilliant book.

Loved this book - such an honest account of life’s ups and downs. What an incredible music era. Loved listening to the descriptions of the clothes and boys all so brilliantly narrated by Jasmine Blackborow who brought it all to life. Highly recommend this book.

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A joyous read

I know little to nothing about the punk era but my husband said I would enjoy this and he was right. It’s a brilliant life story and later, a great account of a more mature woman still striving for her own identity and all the good stuff she deserves. Fantastic book!

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5 people found this helpful

Stunning book.

I didn’t know much about Viv Albertine before, this beautifully written book gave such a glimpse into London life and punk music but also marriage, love, motherhood, overcoming trauma and what it takes to create a spectacular life for yourself. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it.

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honestly brilliant

instantly intriguing
a modest reflection/ insight to the punk movement.
without glamourising. brilliantly well spoken

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Engaging from start to finish

You don’t have to be into punk or into theSlits to enjoy this book.viv is honest and witty and gives you a real insight into how the punk scene came about but more importantly gives you an insight into one woman’s life struggling with being an artist and the mother. One of the best autobiographies I have ever read. It also inspired me to go and listen to some of the music that was talked about, especially that of Bev herself, which is great!

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