Book review: UNKNOWN PLEASURES (Inside Joy Division) by Peter Hook

In my opinion, whatever may be missing from the books “Touching from a Distance” and “Joy Division and the making of Unknown Pleasures” (and let’s even count “24-Hour Party People”), you will find right here… in sheer abundance!… I mean, really! You’ll understand what I’m raving about once you read it! So, what are you waiting for? You will surely thank me, I guarantee it! :p

Hooky did an excellent job on this and, to be honest, I didn't even expect it! I seriously didn't know he could be 'this good!'-- such raw storytelling, full of wit and humor, so much so that it made me want to finish the book in one sitting! (and, oh man, if only I could!). I swear, it was such a struggle to put the book down!, and this doesn't happen often!

He tried his best to talk about everything he could manage to remember from those very early days, sometimes to the point of  embarrassing himself!- hilariously too!… and I particularly like the fact that when he’s not sure of how some events happened, he would simply say so... and that is just fine (I have selective memory myself, so I'm not surprised, LOL!).

Ok, so the first few pages had me breaking into fits of laughter – Hooky, the then young and mischievous charmer!... later on unleashing his antics to his poor victims Barney and Steve, and the rest of the gang!... but I won't ruin the story for you here, so I will just say that there are so many cracking incidents throughout the book, that I can absolutely assure you, you'll never get bored! Simply put, this is one of the best books I've ever read in my entire life! Not exaggerating!

Anyway, as suggested by Hooky here, you should listen to the particular albums while reading his own personal accounts re: “The making of Unknown Pleasures"… and “Closer” too. It would certainly elicit a more poignant feeling and would give you a much deeper understanding of the songs (not only about the lyrics per se, but also for the sequencing and musical instruments used). Makes sense.

Suffice it for me to say, I have been utterly hooked... and you shall be too.

Book: Touching from a Distance

 

I think every Ian Curtis/Joy Division fan out there would be thrilled with this book! It features a list of Joy Division gigs, discography, exclusive photos, complete song lyrics and other unfinished writings. 

I feel obliged to thank Debbie (and applaud her) for having the strength to write about it all-- the ups and downs of their relationship since the beginning-- the happiness, the pain, the betrayal. It must have been really difficult for her looking back. I think she tried her best to be honest about everything that transpired- even about the way Annik Honore (the “other woman”) really meant to Ian. She did not dare deny that Annik was able to see through Ian’s lyrics and what was going on inside his troubled soul. Too bad no one took her concerns seriously. It could have saved Ian, for all we know...

As an ardent Joy Division fan, I was absolutely fascinated reading through pages and pages of how Ian was as a child, as a teen, as a husband, and as a father… I totally enjoyed the read, picturing every moment- even those miserably disturbing bits. It’s fair to say that Debbie and Ian had the typical on-and-off couple’s quarrels between them. That’s pretty normal any way I look at it-- the jealousy, the possessiveness, even the ridiculous temper tantrums. But just like watching the film “Control”- when Annik eventually stepped in, it kinda broke my heart. My admiration and respect for Ian diminished dramatically. I was sickeningly torn!

There’s a part of me that somehow feels sorry for him for getting stuck in a marriage while being in love with another woman- and yet another part of me was loathing how he could cheat and lie to his wife. It’s a total plethora of contradicting emotions. Why does shit like this happen to people all the time, huh? (Ok, not all the time, but close! Such a shame how life plays its ugly tricks sometimes. Love… will tear us apart?)

I just can’t help but wonder what really triggered him to take his own life at that exact point in time. To think that Joy Division was already starting to climb up to its peak- he had fantasized and worked hard for it (and so did his band mates and the whole Factory team admittedly) and things were starting to fall into place. So, then, why? Was he really that depressed and in extreme agony of his epileptic condition that he just couldn’t take it anymore? Was he worried and too embarrassed of having frequent fits while performing onstage? Was it the guilt eating up on him for cheating on his wife?- or was he really so in love with Annik so much that he’d rather die than lose her? (I was under the impression that she was going away and leaving him at that time)... or perhaps, perhaps it was simply his ultimate majestic plan? Did he really want to die young and be remembered as one of the most legendary personae in the music history- just like his heroes (i.e. Jim Morrison, James Dean)- beloved, dead and gone. Just the way we remember him now… just the way Debbie somehow thinks so? That moment was bound to come. Maybe...

Barney says it was the pills.

It’s really hard to fathom, but I guess we simply have to accept that it has all ended- the way it did. Whatever his reasons… all we could do now is keep loving the music... In our hearts and minds, let him continue to live…


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On another note, I would personally recommend to read the book- “24-Hour Party People” (Tony Wilson) before or after reading this one. They are like 2 pieces of the puzzle that must be glued together. You’ll know what I’m saying when you get there…

*Sep '13 update: Peter Hook's "Unknown Pleasures- Inside Joy Division" is just as awesome as this book- but deals more on Peter and the band's escapades than just Ian. 5-stars. I will be writing about it soon when I get the time :p

Book: JOY DIVISION and the making of Unknown Pleasures

To be honest, I’m not even sure if this is worth reading! Personally, I'm not very happy with the content. It does give an interesting overview to “Warsaw” and the gigs and various tracks released under this band name prior to evolving into the mighty Joy Division. Each track from the UP album is indeed discussed to a considerable extent... but well, to my dismay, it’s all purely based on speculations by the author (although most are quite valid if you'd ponder on it, but... speculations just the same).

I was hoping to read first-hand revelations from the guys themselves- Barney and Hooky in particular!, but yeah, what a letdown!... The book also dwells lightly on the Joy Division-The Fall rivalry from those days although Marc Riley's comments are, um, fair enough, if I must say.

The brains behind Factory Records (incl. Mr. Manchester himself- bless his soul) are profoundly mentioned and given credit in this book, but then again, no direct comments from the concerned peeps whatsoever. So, you won't get the feeling that you are getting the facts at all- that's the annoying part (to me, at least, grrrr!).

Other bands are also mentioned here and there and it's notable that Joy Division was closely knitted with Buzzcocks (another one of my favorite bands, yay!) and in fact played numerous gigs in support of the band. Great guys!

The book also touches minimally on Ian's struggle with epilepsy, marital difficulties, and yes- of Annik Honore. No, don't get too eager, coz really it's devoid of any details, heh!

I would rate this 3 1/2 stars (er, ok, make that 4stars just coz it's freakin' Joy Division anyway!!!).