Product Description

This is the b format edition of the critically acclaimed biography. Cloaked in mystique, Joy Division's extraordinary vocalist Ian Curtis tragically took his own life in 1980, leaving just two haunting albums an a depleted band that would famously evolve into New Order. In this in-depth biography of the late singer, the authors have gained exclusive access to Ian Curtis's family and many others close to him. Mick Middles was the first journalist to interview Joy Division for the music press and formed a close association with the band that continues to this day.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #63915 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 322 pages

Customer Reviews

Very interesting but not perfect
This is a valuable addition to the literature on Ian Curtis and Joy Division, giving a voice to family members, friends and colleagues who have not previously told their side of the story. Their memories shed more light on Ian as a person and as a performer, although the book also confirms the enigmatic nature of its central character. While some of Ian's motivations and pressures are revealed, other parts of the book seem to brush past him instead of stopping to explore.

The book would benefit from some tighter editing, and the numerous typographical errors are irritating and distracting. Despite its flaws, there is plenty of detail here for a Joy Division fan to enjoy. It's not the best book you'll ever read, but it's one you must have!

Scatology is just a part of it
There are some thoughtful and thorough reviews already on here that you don't usually get, even for Jane Austen, and I agree with much of what is said. In the book there are several stories about the band's proclivity for scatalogically minded japes that are a bit boring (disapointing even), but that's one way to have fun. There is much that is truly fascinating, including the effect of Ian's epilepsy on his life, the sheer hard work involved in being an indy band way back then, and the role of Martin Hannett in creating the sound that will live for ever. Most of all, Ian comes across as a thoroughly nice bloke, with his heart on his albeit guarded sleeve, and with higher values that truly transcended the situation he found himself in. I found that important, even though as a total fan I don't need any confirmation. But here was someone to admire, for his artistic purity, not just some chancer who got lucky by hitting the zeitgeist. Why else do we respond to his music (or lyrics anyway) as we do, now as much as then, if he had not tapped into some deep truths about all our conditions? This book helps explain some of that, better than the equally reccomendable Deborah Curtis book (that is good partly because it has all the lyrics in it). Buy and read. This will take you straight back to all the recordings, with new ears.

Don't walk away....in silence
Mick Middles and Lindsay Read's book about the life and work of Ian Curtis brings fresh insights and angles on a story that has already been told in a number of ways by Middles himself, Deborah Curtis and thousands of journalists, commentators and scholars. They manage to bring a freshness, an authenticity and real compassion to the telling, which is a remarkable achievement.
Most of all the book conveys an almost tangible sense of who Ian Curtis was and what motivated him, what haunted him and his work with Joy Division.
The sections on his more private life are handled with due care and attention and the passages on the creative partnership between JD and the genius Martin Hannett are exceptionally truthful and detailed.

The truth can be viewed from many angles.
It is also beautifully packaged, contains a wealth of detail and is obviously a labour of love, research and scholarship.