John

Really not sure about this.

Loads of name dropping, some of it feels made up or spun!

Just doesn't feel right.

In places there is a sense of the book having been written simply to make money.

She was married at one time to a very talented person, cashing in on that connection feels a bit creepy. Half way through I felt like throwing the book across the room, not for any other reason than it made me cringe.

John (6/6 people found this helpful)

This is an extremely readable and highly insightful look at John Lennons life from one of the few people who was actually there to witness the highs and lows. Cynthia comes across as someone with integrity and honesty and her stories seem almost painfully true at times. I guess, any story is told with a degree of bias but this doesn't seem excessive and she paints a good picture of the various sides to his character and relationships. You get a clear insight into the early days of the Beatles, his relationship with Cynthia and some idea of the dynamics in his relationship with Yoko. It is so easy to read that you'll fly through it in no time at all and will be gripped throughout. An immensely enjoyable read and highly recommended.

An Excellent Read! (7/7 people found this helpful)

Over the years there have been so many books written about John Lennon, mostly by people who did'nt really know the real person.Once you've read one you've read them all. This is one of the downsides of flogging the dead. I am a big fan of John Lennon and have read much about him and his life. The thing that attracted me to this particular book is that it is written by the one person who for ten years knew Lennon better than anybody. From the first page i was drawn into the book and read it very quickly. I really enjoyed the early chapters when John and Cynthia first met, through to the early beatle days.Cynthia tells us of her memories of john and what he was like as a REAL PERSON, not just a beatle or a musical genius.Cynthia comes across as a very genuine person and a loving mother to Jullian. If you want to find out about the real John Lennon then there is not a better book out there.

such a sad and enlightening story and without a single doubt well worth the read (2/2 people found this helpful)

Having not been alive during the beatlemania and knowing very little about the band I love so much this book was a heaven sent. I did not put it down from the moment it came through my door. By the time I had finished I was extremly grateful to Cynthia for writing her tale as it cleared so many things about John that had been smothered in rumour and I learnt so much about the man I admire. Although some of it is hard to read as she reveals the less well known often disparaging side of John, but she writes with such strength of character and I have nothing but admiration for her. I feel such sadness that we will never hear John's side of the story, and as probably predicted Cynthia's story may well be in some parts one sided. But we must understand that in any situation a divorce is hard but what she went through with Julian in those circumstances is admirable to say the least. But, without a doubt this is an amzing read for any John Lennon fan and as one of the younger ones I may say that is a great way to finmd out more.

A very satisfying account (15/15 people found this helpful)

How much do we really know about the real person behind the celebrities we admire and in some cases hero-worship? The truth is, very little. What is more our view of these individuals has often been distorted by the media who have an interest in emphasising the purient without ever considering the character of the people they place on a pedestal or pillory, in the pursuit of creating sales.

Cynthia Lennon has provided us with an honest, sympathetic and respectful appraisal of her role as wife to John and mother of his first son, Julian. She does this with fairness to all concerned and without blame or bitterness.

There are perhaps only a few individuals who can fairly claim to know the real John Lennon and you feel as you read this book that Cynthia Lennon is one of them. Of course, it would be great to read a book by Paul McCartney about the life and times of the Beatles. Howver, I doubt such a book would reach the same depth in describing John Lennon as a person, as Cynthia Lennon has achieved here.

Cynthia Lennon's style is very easy to read and you find yourself drawn into the extended and complicated family life of Lennon and the Beatles. Her explanation of the role of Yoko Ono in the break up of her mariage and the Beatles does little to dispel the image of a stalker intent on capturing her prize. Is this unfair? Read the book and decide for yourself. However, it is much to the credit and credibility of the account that again, Ms Lennon, explains the events without censure or condemnation.

I'm no expert on Lennon biographies. In fact, I have avoided ever reading them because I have a cynical view that most are exercises in wealth creation for the writer with very little consideration for preserving truth and historical accuracy.

I am left with the feeling that this is as close as you are going to get to a truthful, honest and accurate account of John Lennon. It is a marvellous read, a significant contribution to the subject and very highly recommended.

Cynthia Lennon

Reader Reviews:

Hmmmmm (1/1 people found this helpful)

John (6/6 people found this helpful)

An Excellent Read! (7/7 people found this helpful)

such a sad and enlightening story and without a single doubt well worth the read (2/2 people found this helpful)

A very satisfying account (15/15 people found this helpful)

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