Long Hard Road Out Of Hell
Did you know that Marilyn Manson had also written his autobiography? That's right !!! It is entitled "Long Hard Road Out Of Hell" ("Mémoires de l'Enfer" in French).
Below are listed some opinions of fans on the subject...
One doesn't usually think of rock stars as insightful, but, against all odds, glam-trash superstar Marilyn Manson has written a book that is actually an intelligent look at growing up. This autobiographical bildungsroman brings out the creepiest aspects of childhood, conveying the terror and fascination that young Marilyn (then called Brian) felt when looking through his grandfather's pornography, getting his first French kiss, and being taunted by the girls he wanted to "date." Manson has the benefit of having grown up as an outcast and loser and then having become a star without forgetting what he went through. This gives him an incredibly broad perspective, which he brings to bear on his ordinary life in order to convey the more potent and frightening moments that shaped him into the pale-skinned weirdo that the Christian Right loves to hate. Best of all, Manson is shockingly honest, and portrays himself as occasionally stupid, self-centered, over-sensitive, ignoble, and, mostly, highly fallible and human. It's a long way from the auto-hagiographies that other stars have written, and it's easily one of the best reads in celebrity bio.
A reader from Illinois
Anyone who enjoys something interesting should read this book. I chose it because I wanted to read something completely out of the ordinary in comparison to my own thoughts and beliefs. It's a book that makes the reader think, and helps a person feel a certain appreciation for the things we have in life. It helps us realize how lucky some of us really are growing up as children even though we complain about our parents being so "mean" and "cruel". I wouldn't recommend this book to the extremely weak of heart, or stomach for that matter. Nor would I suggest this to someone who is highly religious in their beliefs. I also might throw out the extremely depressed, since I'm not quite sure how they would interpret this reading. I make it sound as if a lot of people should not partake in this autobiography, but those are really just a small part of the population. I think if a person wants a well written, extremely in-depth, and ultimately entertaining novel, then they should consider The Long Hard Road out of Hell.
They way the book is set up is rather complex. The story's order is simple, starting with Brian Warner (Marilyn Manson) as a young boy and following his life as grows and experiences. The book follows that pattern nicely, so the reader is never confused as to what time in Warner's life we are in. There are also quotes placed throughout the text. Mainly they are seen before the start of a new chapter. Within the chapters, Warner has inserted what he calls "circles" which divide up the text. For example a chapter could be broken into three; circle one, circle two and circle three. As we enter Brian's teenage years, he then begins including examples of writings he composed at the time, letters he sent to magazine's along with paper's he had submitted, things like that. He uses them to give the reader more insight into his thoughts, letting us enjoy, or be repulsed by, his works. Approximately halfway through the book, Brian Warner (now calling himself Marilyn Manson) briefly loses the autobiographical format letting us enjoy an interview between him and a magazine reporter. Once this has finished, he then cuts back to the telling of his autobiography. Overall it's really an engaging format, changing the text up periodically and keeping the reader interested, and most importantly, reading.
As far as faults or problems this book has, there aren't too many. The language could be a problem for some, along with graphic sexual and violent encounters. Mansons also discusses Satanism a few times, but none of these are really problems with the book, but ultimately with the reader. If you can chew it, then I recommend you swallow it and not miss out on a great literary experience.
I picked up this book expecting exactly what I saw on the cover, Marilyn Manson. It made me think and it made me cringe, but it also made me laugh. A very in-depth, well written book, perfect for a man such as Manson. The Long Hard Road out of Hell shouldn't be ignored.
Opinion of a reader from Lyon (France)
This book is a must-have for any Manson fan and perfectly appropriate for people curious to know more about the guy (just like me). In this book you can listen to Manson's confidences, rumors being excluded. It is a very extreme initiative voyage, very well written and entertaining. One can appreciate the character, understand what has been his life till today. Understand the group's and his music's evolutions. This book doesn't take into account all the ridiculous story concerning Manson, while bringing us anecdotes much more interesting and serious. It's a real pleasure to read this book. However, fragile souls beware !!
