Marianne Faithfull (1946–2025)

This book reads much like diary- remembrances of friends and events, as though Ms. Faithfull is reconstructing the puzzle of her life. She holds nothing back- neither the joys of her relationships nor the guilt she seems to carry, observing what can only be seen in clearly in the mirror of hindsight. She writes as though she is telling her story for posterity, a letter to her inner child,. One hopes that writing this book has been cathartic, as Ms. Faithfull writes honestly, facing her show more imperfect humanity in a way most of us never will. show less

Being the memoirs of the famed rock singer and composer, who is unfortunately remembered more for being Mick Jagger's muse and lover than her own solo recordings of the eighties and nineties, which enjoyed considerable popularity and were very justly critically acclaimed. As a tell-all this is decent if one doesn't mind a certain peculiar mixture of self-pity and spleen--a mixture also prominent in her songs, so presumably fans of her music won't object to it here. The book is even better, show more though, when it sticks to her own creative processes and moves away from the Stones metier. show less

A casual stroll through Faithfull's life, vague on dates and strong on recollected impressions during random episodes involving famous people, and replete with literary allusions and italicized phrases _en francais_ to impress readers with her reading and culture.

Of course I wanted to read this for the gossip. I liked how Faithfull wrote about herself in a wry, sometimes regretful, but honest manner. My favourite aspect of the book is the quote from Anita Pallenberg on the back cover: "Marianne has always been cruel -- particularly to herself. This is a delightful book."