Touching from a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division
by Deborah Curtis
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Book Summary Information
Author: Deborah CurtisEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-10-04
ISBN: 0571239560
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Book Reviews of Touching from a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division
Book Review: Great quick read with enough details of Ian's Life w/& without Joy Division
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a must READ !! Very powerful and very sad...
Deborah Curtis tells it like it was to be married to Ian Curtis, his life as she saw him, and his band Joy Division. The best thing about this book, is that Debbie includes all of Ian's lyrics (made to to real song, to complete unreleased songs, to notes, and poems. The book is a short read, but it is very well written. If you haven't seen the movie 'CONTROL (2007)'...which is based on this book; Ian Curtis (frontman of Joy Division), his life (on stage and off), his band Joy Division (with it's rise to FAME to nothing), and of course Ian's tragic SUICIDE the night before they were to embark on their U.S. tour in 1980. Read the book and get the movie...in either order.
The best handbook to both the movie and Debbie's book, is the DVD Documentary called "Joy Division - The True Story of the Meteoric Rise & Fall of 1 of the most Influential Bands of out time". It goes hand and hand with the book, and then drills down in detail from all of the band member's of Joy Division regarding Ian's suicide; his influence on the band, his battle with epilepsy (& the effects on everyone's life), and how 4 guys that could barely play or sing turn into 3 great musicians and a song writer that has ended up in the top 10 songwriter's of all time...
I promise you will be amazed how many Joy Division songs you know...mostly because so many bands and artists have covered them.
As their manager, Rob Gretton, said when they met the 4 young kids from Macclesfield..."I am a [...] believer in Joy Division !!"
"Touching from a Distance" is a beautifully sad, true story of a young man that was surrounded by love, and ultimately killed by it...and those around him suffered as a result of his love and his fight with both Epilepsy; as well as, his mental illnesses (bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, mania).
An almost unbelievable TRUE story of a Rock Band, their troubled Frontman (Ian), and their rise to stardom in just 2 albums...and at the same time, their FALL...
Only a very brave woman, could have wrote this book. Deborah Curtis become an author (and a great writer), due to circumstance (the death of her 23-yr old husband...Ian Curtis), rather than ambitious intentions. Hat's off to ya Deborah Curtis !!
I give the book; as well as, the Movie, and the DVD Documentary, a 10 !!
Go out and buy all 3 at once. I read and watched all 3 in less than a day. Since then, I have re-read the book twice, and watched the 2 DVDs many times over (bc I keep showing them to friends and fans of true, raw, almost LOST music...)
Some stories truly are more SAD, than what Movies or Fiction Books can come up with.
"Walk with me, take my hand and See !! "
Frontman
WHITE DOVE RED
September 29th, 2009
Summary of Touching from a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division
This is the only in-depth biographical account of the legendary lead singer of Joy Division, written by his widow. Revered by his peers and idolised by his fans, Ian Curtis left behind a legacy rich in artistic genius. But although mesmerising on stage, in his private life he was introverted and had desperate mood swings. In "Touching from a Distance" his widow pieces together why - despite his impending international fame and young family - Curtis took his own life on 18 May 1980. Regarded as the essential book on the essential icon of the post-punk era, "Touching from a Distance" includes a full set of Curtis' lyrics, discography and gig list.Music Books
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