The Long Hard Road Out of Hell by Marilyn Manson, Neil Strauss
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Book Reviews of The Long Hard Road Out of Hell
Book Review: A very long hard road
Summary: 5 Stars
After Marilyn Manson's Antichrist Superstar record was released and his Dead to the World Tour came to a close. A large amount of people probably looked onto him as a dumb shock rocker and nothing more. This was his reaction to that. A book that a Manson fan or hater could indulge themselves into before they can decide to rag on him or not; to see the world through his eyes. I picked this up after becoming addicted to his music, and I must say this only draws me to him even more. If you plan to get his Antichrist Superstar record or anything prior to that, then this is a great companion. I bought this sometime soon after purchasing Antichrist, and I must say it certainly puts more things into perspective. It definitely helps if you want to understand the meanings behind the songs as well as the man and band themselves. I could not put this book down, I spent all the free time I had reading it (which is not much) and read it in 9 days. I have read it a second time since then, something I rarely ever do with books and yes, I do plan to read it a third time. Heck I lost it and bought it again it was so good.
One thing that I found to be interesting is that because it was written during the antichrist Superstar Era, it has 16 chapters or sections, where as the record also had 16 songs. Both are also divided up into 3 parts. There are too many parts here to select as my favorite. And as many other people have said, there are also a handful of parts that may "stick to your ribs". So that's a warning to squeamish people, or maybe that was the point in the first place. The Long Hard Road out of Hell chronicles Manson's Birth, (which is quite funny to see him as a kid in the pictures with KISS style face paint) up until 1997 during his Dead to the world tour. If you ever had any questions about Manson they will most likely be answered in this book. It will also put aside all those silly dirty rumors you have heard about him.
It leaves us off in 1997, it covers the albums Portrait of an American Family, Smells Like Children and Antichrist Superstar. It's been roughly 8 years and 5 albums since then and I feel a sequel is in order. I feel Manson did try and continue his work as an Author with the Holy wood Novel, but he felt it would be way too censored and thus never released it. If he were to make another autobiography, there might be too much time needed to fill in. Awe well, enough with my ramblings. If you are still not convinced to buy this masterpiece, then read some more reviews, and then come back to mine and see what you think. I hoped this helped either way.
Book Review: This man knows his Hell
Summary: 5 Stars
You wouldn't think a middle aged Southern conservative housewife like me would be caught dead reading something like this. The cover alone should scare me away. And the first word of the first chapter is one I wasn't allowed to say as a child. But with that first word Manson reveals immediately what his entire book portrays - Hell. The story mates his life with Dante's Inferno; even the chapters are structured as the divisions and circles of Dante's hell. This was a stroke of genius and makes for a fascinating read. Manson's life parallels Dante's journey through hell, and, like in the Inferno, it begins with pain and steadily becomes much worse. In the Inferno however, the protagonist with whom we identify is Dante, who is not one of the punished. We must guess at the psychic torment of the damned through Dante's conversations with them. Manson takes us on the same journey but as one of the condemned. He takes us inside his head to see firsthand the progressive blackening and relentless decay of his soul.But that is only one of the many levels on which this book operates. It is also the story of a man's struggle to come to terms with his own nature when that nature is something the world perceives as evil and he suspects they may be right. He has amazing self awareness, and the rare ability to articulate his inner battles in powerful, captivating ways. The book is riveting, for he is laying bare his soul for all to see, and he knows it is ugly.
But by the end of the book, after he has sunk to the dark bottom of the pit, there is a glimmer of hope. He gains the sense that there may be some beauty hidden under all the self-loathing and screw ups that are his existence. Like Dante, Manson finally confronts Satan himself, and discovers the exit from hell.
But if you are not up to all this psychological and metaphysical stuff, you can just enjoy the book on its surface. Wicked, outrageous, and at times hilarious, it is fast paced and full of action, but not for the prudish or squeamish. Be prepared for something that is probably worse than triple X and is quite disturbing. I have never heard Marilyn Manson's music and I'm not real sure I want to, as "heavy metal" just isn't my thing, but I stumbled upon this book quite by accident and must say it is one of the most entertaining reads I've ever had. I highly recommend it for anyone who has an interest in infernal literature, typically written by the righteous, as this is an equally compelling point of view from the debased sinner. The violence and shock rivals John Bunyan, but from the opposite side!
Book Review: the only way out.......
Summary: 5 Stars
of a typical Marilyn Manson love him or hate him frame of mind is through this book. Marilyn Manson was quite the controversial person back when his autobiography, "The Long Hard Road Out of Hell" published by ReganBooks, came out. He is most commonly known for his musical works, which helped to spawn the controversy over him. Obviously I recommend this book to any of Manson's fans that have not already read it. I also recommend this book to anyone who is the least bit curious about Manson, and to the people who slandered him before and after the book was released. Manson uses an interesting writing technique for this book, which is based on the idea of lumping together like ideas rather than to just portray everything in chronological order. Now that is not to say that the book does not progress in order, because it does to a degree. This actually is a good style because it does not leave the reader bored since he uses attention getters at the beginning of each chapter to keep the reader interested. The plot of this autobiography develops as Manson grows older. The book begins during his childhood, then progresses to the early stages of his band, and finally finishes with a personal growing experience at the end. The biggest problem with this book in my opinion is that Manson goes into a little to much detail on some grotesque issues. His description of his grandfather's pornography and masturbation in the basement is a prime example. Another small problem is that Manson goes into detail about experiences on drugs, which to some people might promote drug use. I would have to say this book is the best autobiography I have read to date. It is hard to put down because Manson always leaves you wanting to know what happens next. I personally got a better understanding of what stemmed Manson's hatred of religion. He made me understand whatmade him the person he is today by explaining what made him become this way by giving his reactions to events, rather than just telling the reader about events that happened. He always put a personal spin on issues he discusses, making it easier to understand his point of view. He is very detailed on what he says, and is careful to leave nothing out, making it so that the reader has a full understanding of what he means. As the famous quote says, "The only way out is through." Manson does indeed travel through Hell throughout this autobiography.Book Review: READ b4 u judge
Summary: 5 Stars
i rather enjoyed & could relate to MM in this book as he spoke of growing up around certain oddities that are not of the norm~When i hear people hate on him & call him names.
Im a fan of his music~I simply tell people~Try reading his book the crap he went thru,Even when he made his own WILD choices it made him a beautiful person.Its a wonder he isnt what people think they know of him.As he had to step in S**T more times than he wanted~But hes a kool dude.
His talent i belive is from the diversity of what hes seen in life.That really when you go thru crap like his/mine & many others out in this world.While some people can only point fingers and call names~The rest of us "GET IT" Becuz we had NO CHOICE!But this can be a good thing as it leads to a gift of an open mind set.
As an artist this makes him one hell of a musician other wise seen as a shock rocker.Each generation has one that stands out.
I dont think he set out to be intimidating OR weird as most say about him,Hes as regular as any one else~Probably more so becuase he is a survivor of filth & when you grow up hard you learn from it.
It shows in his music loud & clear as he sees beyond what average unnormal people can see.I saw this as i grew up worse than he did.
I like he had my wild years and now that im older i can see like him.Beyond what others can see.As most people that had the good fortune of a loving home & had a childhood of structure & love.These are the narrow minds that cant see outside the box.
This is why i tell people if you want to know about him READ HIS BOOK!!!Before you spit a forked tongue at him!
This was my 1st read of his & its a keeper.
Its a shame in the region of america i live in.He is banned from playing because he is stereo typed by such small minds.Cheating the unsung fans of his music & art.The book gave me a look into what others dont know.
MM is brilliant & talented his life story is beyond fascinating as he was lead to dirty waters...BUT DID NOT DROWN in divesified BS he had to walk around or reinvent CLARITY which lends to his intelligence of what others do not grasp.
Book Review: My Personal Jesus
Summary: 5 Stars
Like most people back in the 90's, the first time I had heard of Manson was when the cover of "Sweet Dreams" had come out. I remember thinking "Oh, that's a cool take on it", but not much else. Then I had seen the Michael Moore doc. "Bowling for Columbine" where Manson (who was, at the time, being blamed as an influence on the boys who had committed the massacre) was asked what he would had said to the killers. His response was "I would had said nothing. I would had listened." Right there, I knew the man was a freakin' genius! Later interviews and Politically Incorrect appearences confirmed it. Manson is deep, insightful, and completely unafraid to speak the truth. He is a voice which we need so desperately in these times in which everyone who doesn't live the "American Dream" (you know, being born into an upperclass white Protestant Republican family) feel like they have to walk on egg shells. I honestly hope that he stops doing drugs because this world would be a much more conventional and dull place without him.
Musically, it's a matter of taste. I love much of his work. His cover of "Personal Jesus" floored me. Understand, I love Depeche Mode so much that if Dave needed a kidney he could give me a ring anytime. It feels like blasphemy to admit that I listen to Manson's version much more but I do (every Sunday if for nothing else but to upset the Jesus freak neighbours who put church fliers in our mailbox). His music has a deliciously demonic flair to it with a catchy rock edge that most Goth type music lacks, but the real draw is Manson himself. Like the other Marilyn (Monroe), Manson's personna has always outshone his work. In short, he is one of those few individuals who is famous for being interesting rather than for selling records or films and it is very insightful to read exactly how he developed from being Brian the outcast to becoming Manson the God of the Underworld. This is a great AutoBio and something to inspire the sardonic outcast in us all.