Amazing story definitely listen !!

What a great book so honest and so clear, Gary is a legend I urge you to listen to his new album it is a wonderful collection of incredible song’s like no other today. He is a unique talent, much respect!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Nothing missing

A little too long for me but interesting and very open a must for fans

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Surprisingly emotional in places

Always enjoyed listening to Gary Numan’s music so I was keen to listen to this autobiography. I couldn’t stop listening to it.

Gary made a great stab at reading the book but he’s a singer not an actor so on the odd occasion that was obvious. Nonetheless I’d much rather hear an audiobook read by the author so good job.

As for the content I loved it: it tells the story of Gary’s meteoric rise to fame and his equally quick plummet and rise again. His family life is much revealed and unlike the robotic characters he portrays in his shows, he comes across as a charming, loving devoted husband and father. It would be amazing to hear Gemma’s version of the same story - from her perspective. Just a thought.

On occasion I was moved to tears. I could hear Gary’s voice cracking when he had to tell about his child’s birth and more poignantly, his mum’s passing. I’m sure I cried with him!

This man deserves to be where he is and I’m sure the imminent Intruder album is going to smash it. I very much hope so.

This book was very much worth the wait. Loved it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Still Gary after all these years...

To be fair, I was a fairly hardcore Numanoid until his Dance album lost me in 1981 and I've collected all of his Beggars Banquet material on CD over the last 2 decades.

He was always an interesting character and if anything this book expands upon that quite widely. I remember lots of the negative press that dogged his early career and always suspected there was a strong campaign by the UK media to stunt his success, but was shocked to hear of the efforts of the BBC - who, ironically, launched him in to the public consciousness via the John Peel show in the first place - to deny him the exposure other artists were able to take for granted.

His failed audition for a certain band who were eventually politically and artistically at the other end of the scale was a surprise (I've got all of their stuff too, for balance). No names, no pack drill: get the book and find out for yourselves!

His family's repeated health issues - especially those of his wife Gemma - are covered in depth, as are the couple's struggles to start a family. In the end they were successful but the way Gary tells it really involves the listener.

Finally I'm glad he agreed with something I've always said since October 1979: he really should have released Metal as a single instead of Complex!

Thanks for providing all the memories, stories, triumphs and disasters, Gary - and congratulations on your rise to the top once more.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

It's a story of two halves.

Ok, so Gary is a songwriter and musician, not an author. The book's prose is fairly simply constructed, but if (like me) you've been a Numanoid since 1978 (when I was 6), this is essential listening for you.
It's made all the better, in my opinion, by Gary reading it, and since he was there, it adds credibility.
It's written from the heart, he comes across as genuine and open in the dialogue and it's fascinating to hear the origins of all the pop culture that I have adored about both Tubeway Army and Gary himself since I first heard him on a Peel session (we had no TV in 1978, radio was my world).
If you're looking for a book that helps you to connect with Gary in a real way, this is the one.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

Told with real passion

Well done Mr Numan amazing biography told with feeling. A must hear story. Well done

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

A great listen for all Numanoids.

Great listen for all Numanoids. Nice to hear the story from Gary himself. What a varied life.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

fabulous

having been a life long numan it was wonderful to listen loved it filled the gaps on the things, I thought I knew

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Not just for the fans

Like most who will listen to this autobiography I have been a Numan fan for all of his career. Having said that I was slightly sceptical about this book as I am about most autobiographies but I was pleasantly surprised. Numan's honesty about his mistakes and flaws is refreshing and his willingness to discuss his mental health issues and those of his wife, even in this day and age, is commendable. He seems to have suffered many set backs, some self inflicted and some inflicted on him and the fact he is still making great music after 40 years is testament to his self belief and the belief of his fans. If you are a fan, then I recommend listening to each album as it's mentioned as the added context is fascinating. If not then it's still a great autobiography and even though you might not like his music, you might end up understanding where it comes from.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent

Being a fan of Gary Numan for 40 years this was a fantastic insight into the man himself. Really enjoyed it!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!