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gypsy18
I love Keith, but not like I did before the book. He's bought into his own myth, and I thought he was more intelligent than that.
I wanted people who dismissed Keith as an ignorant junkie to finally get to read how witty, intellectual and well-read he truly is. Sadly, this book doesn't demonstrate that. In my opinion, it shows what a spoiled brat he truly is.
He's been very lucky and very fortunate, but doesn't seem to realize it.

How can he NOT know that he never went to prison for any of his drug arrests because of his money and fame?
The flippant remarks about acquaintances who died of a heroin overdose because they were stupid (Gram Parsons) or out of shape (John Belushi) are insensitive. Keith is alive because of sheer luck and not because he was some kind of crazy intelligent SuperJunkie.

The tough guy act gets really old really quick. The blades, the guns, the "I'll kick his ass and he knows it" stuff is childish and immature. I've never heard about him being in any fights where he didn't run off and leave Spanish Tony or some other hanger-on to finish it for him.

Everyone loves Keith because they think he's "real" and "down-to-earth." This book proves that he's pretty much anything but.

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MartinB
...Who cares how much of it is truth? And who knows? You? Certainly not me...

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NICOS
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gypsy18
I love Keith, but not like I did before the book.

Think I skip the whole book

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MartinB
What did you expect? A sermon? The book is a great read. Excellent writing, a differnt plane than Woody's. Who cares how much of it is truth? And who knows? You? Certainly not me.

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gypsy18

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NICOS
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gypsy18
I love Keith, but not like I did before the book.

Think I skip the whole book

No! Don't do that. I know how much you like Anita, and Keith talks about her throughout the entire book. Keith is obviously still smitten with her and fascinated by her beauty, her intellect, the fact that he could never have her in the way he has Patti as the reliable wife.He says beautiful things about Patti, but they don't compare to what he says about Anita.

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vermontoffender
Anyone who knows thing one about autobiographical writing will recognize that this is an excellent book; extremely well written in a consistent, singular voice with wonderful stories and very interesting information concerning songwriting, guitar playing, drugs, women, and the rest of the band amongst many other subjects . If your expectations are getting in the way of recognizing a truly remarkable achievement by Mr. Richards and Mr. Fox, that is unfortunate, but hardly surprising to read on this board.

Congratulations to them both.

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gypsy18

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MartinB
What did you expect? A sermon? The book is a great read. Excellent writing, a differnt plane than Woody's. Who cares how much of it is truth? And who knows? You? Certainly not me.

No, I didn't expect a sermon, but I did expect more. When someone as prolific as Keith Richards writes his autobiography, which is one of the most-anticipated autobiographies in decades, I think it's only natural that people would expect a little more.
I expected to get to know a little bit about Keith as person. I didn't get that. I got a caricature. I've read interviews from the 60's, 70's and 80's that give more insight to Keith than this book did.

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swiss

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gypsy18

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MartinB
What did you expect? A sermon? The book is a great read. Excellent writing, a differnt plane than Woody's. Who cares how much of it is truth? And who knows? You? Certainly not me.

No, I didn't expect a sermon, but I did expect more. When someone as prolific as Keith Richards writes his autobiography, which is one of the most-anticipated autobiographies in decades, I think it's only natural that people would expect a little more.
I expected to get to know a little bit about Keith as person. I didn't get that. I got a caricature. I've read interviews from the 60's, 70's and 80's that give more insight to Keith than this book did.

I completely hear, and get, where you're coming from, Gyp. I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive (Monday, supposedly) and will be delighted to read it. And at the same time, I share your and Doxa's belief that Keith appears to be a more substantial and intelligent person than his caricature (naturally; a caricature is a caricature) lets on.

That non-fans and casual fans are reading this book and are surprised by the depth that comes through is sort of touching. That may be vindicating for Keith.

I've often commented [on IORR and in my life] how people rarely listen to what Keith was saying in interviews throughout the years where he was slurring or meandering or trailing off before his thought was neatly sewn up--because it they had listened to what he was saying, heard how he thinks, and not just giggled at his slurring, they would have realized what an exceptionally bright man he is. People laughingly accuse him, and write him off, in those interviews as spewing unintelligible nonsense, but I've always thought either they're not that attuned to music, or he's speaking over their heads---and instead of realizing they don't understand him and he is making sense, they call it gibberish and he's a stoned clown.

Anyway....so this book---which I am greatly looking forward to---will allow non-fans and casual fans at least to see beyond the stoned clown character.

Perhaps in another 20 years he'll write another memoir---when the swashbuckling caricature doesn't serve him anymore, and he's more ok with expressing himself in a more authentic voice. That voice, tho, is one of a thoughtful sensitive introvert who's experienced a lot of pain, and a lot of loss. And who's been on the run from that most of his life. Which book would be harder to write? which book would he rewarded more for? would be received better? The one he just wrote.

As for another, more reflective, more "honest" book about who he is and has been...he's not ready to go there yet...maybe never will be, but I think he will. I'd love to help him write that book someday maybe cuz my Mom was a shrink and some of that rubbed off on me...

- swiss

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melillo
is the painting the ceiling story in the book?

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gypsy18

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swiss

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gypsy18

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MartinB
What did you expect? A sermon? The book is a great read. Excellent writing, a differnt plane than Woody's. Who cares how much of it is truth? And who knows? You? Certainly not me.

No, I didn't expect a sermon, but I did expect more. When someone as prolific as Keith Richards writes his autobiography, which is one of the most-anticipated autobiographies in decades, I think it's only natural that people would expect a little more.
I expected to get to know a little bit about Keith as person. I didn't get that. I got a caricature. I've read interviews from the 60's, 70's and 80's that give more insight to Keith than this book did.

I completely hear, and get, where you're coming from, Gyp. I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive (Monday, supposedly) and will be delighted to read it. And at the same time, I share your and Doxa's belief that Keith appears to be a more substantial and intelligent person than his caricature (naturally; a caricature is a caricature) lets on.

That non-fans and casual fans are reading this book and are surprised by the depth that comes through is sort of touching. That may be vindicating for Keith.

I've often commented [on IORR and in my life] how people rarely listen to what Keith was saying in interviews throughout the years where he was slurring or meandering or trailing off before his thought was neatly sewn up--because it they had listened to what he was saying, heard how he thinks, and not just giggled at his slurring, they would have realized what an exceptionally bright man he is. People laughingly accuse him, and write him off, in those interviews as spewing unintelligible nonsense, but I've always thought either they're not that attuned to music, or he's speaking over their heads---and instead of realizing they don't understand him and he is making sense, they call it gibberish and he's a stoned clown.

Anyway....so this book---which I am greatly looking forward to---will allow non-fans and casual fans at least to see beyond the stoned clown character.

Perhaps in another 20 years he'll write another memoir---when the swashbuckling caricature doesn't serve him anymore, and he's more ok with expressing himself in a more authentic voice. That voice, tho, is one of a thoughtful sensitive introvert who's experienced a lot of pain, and a lot of loss. And who's been on the run from that most of his life. Which book would be harder to write? which book would he rewarded more for? would be received better? The one he just wrote.

As for another, more reflective, more "honest" book about who he is and has been...he's not ready to go there yet...maybe never will be, but I think he will. I'd love to help him write that book someday maybe cuz my Mom was a shrink and some of that rubbed off on me...

- swiss

You hit the nail on the head, swiss.

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Doxa

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gypsy18
I wanted people who dismissed Keith as an ignorant junkie to finally get to read how witty, intellectual and well-read he truly is. Sadly, this book doesn't demonstrate that. In my opinion, it shows what a spoiled brat he truly is.
He's been very lucky and very fortunate, but doesn't seem to realize it.

The biggest problem for me is that I think - or I used to think - that Keith is smarter guy than what this book represents. I dont know. Maybe I've been wrong all the way...

But what bothers me is that for many - for example, to be seen in the reviews of non-Stones fans - the book gives smarter picture of Keith than they thought - Keith's public image is something similar to Ozzy Osbournes in smartwise (analogy to Keith's own 'wisdom': if one gives an idiotic picture of oneself, then one is finally thought to be as idiotic as the image is - the junkie non-coherent drunken pirate model has its consequences).

- Doxa

110 % agree with you. That's exactly what I used to babble to non-Keith-fans before the book came out: "wait till you read the book and see how smart & well-read he actually is".

But even the voracious reading habit doesn't ring true after reading "Life": if Keith truly loves literature, shouldn't there be at least some references to books he has read & loved? Instead, we just see him posing in a luxurious library, where the books seem more like (luxurious) pieces of furniture.

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Bliss
Yes, it's true. He goes on at great length about friendship and solidarity, but his betrayals of Mick and Brian are breathtaking.

It has been written many times that Mick and Keith never discussed their issues, eg, Mick's affair with Anita, but instead they handled it 'the English way', ie, burying it under the carpet.

I wonder if he ever had a confrontation with Brian. It's very low to slag off the dead, as they can't defend themselves. Mick is said to be 'furious and hurt' by Keith's insults in the book. As I've said, I personally could not get past a friend writing about me as he has written about Mick, but then again, I wouldn't solve issues in 'the English way'. It's possible Keith has tried to discuss things with Mick and Mick has just frozen him out and this is just his way of reclaiming some power. But it's a 'scorched earth' method; everyone loses.

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melillo
is the painting the ceiling story in the book?

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gypsy18

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NICOS
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gypsy18
I love Keith, but not like I did before the book.

Think I skip the whole book

No! Don't do that. I know how much you like Anita, and Keith talks about her throughout the entire book. Keith is obviously still smitten with her and fascinated by her beauty, her intellect, the fact that he could never have her in the way he has Patti as the reliable wife.He says beautiful things about Patti, but they don't compare to what he says about Anita.

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NICOS

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gypsy18

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NICOS
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gypsy18
I love Keith, but not like I did before the book.

Think I skip the whole book

No! Don't do that. I know how much you like Anita, and Keith talks about her throughout the entire book. Keith is obviously still smitten with her and fascinated by her beauty, her intellect, the fact that he could never have her in the way he has Patti as the reliable wife.He says beautiful things about Patti, but they don't compare to what he says about Anita.

Thanks Gypsy18, Yeah your probably right, I think I can't ignore Keith's book especially if me old girlfriend Anita is involved ........and she is

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elunsi
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Exactly. Especially me with my limited english. I found that very arrogant, this "joy of friendship" quote. The joy of friendship with Keith? He talks so much about betrayal and loyalty but he did the same betrayal and he is not loyal at all. Sleeping with Marianne two times, or belittleing Mick now.

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TrulyMicks

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elunsi
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Exactly. Especially me with my limited english. I found that very arrogant, this "joy of friendship" quote. The joy of friendship with Keith? He talks so much about betrayal and loyalty but he did the same betrayal and he is not loyal at all. Sleeping with Marianne two times, or belittleing Mick now.

The "Joy of Friendship" jumped out at me also and made my eyes roll. Keith calls out faults of others so freely, but he is unable to acknowledge his own faults. I don't know about the sleeping around, but he's been belittling Mick for decades, not just now. I would think it would be hard for Mick to have a close friendship with him since he has tried to ridicule him and put him down for so long. Keith and Anita used to and Keith has ever since.

And, what is Keith's idea of a joyous friendhsip anyway? Sitting around drinking and laughing at his one liners? I think it's telling that Keith's new BFF seems to be Johnny Depp....someone who worships him and most likely smothers him with flattery.