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The John Lennon Letters Audiobook
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(4.03) - 212 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A lifetime of letters, collected for the first time, from the legendary musician and songwriter.
John Lennon was one of the greatest songwriters the world has ever known, creator of "Help!", "Come Together", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Imagine", and dozens more. But it was in his correspondences that he let his personality and poetry flow unguarded. Now, gathered for the first time in book form, are his letters to family, friends, strangers, and lovers from every point in his life. Funny, informative, wise, poetic, and sometimes heartbreaking, his letters illuminate a never-before-seen intimate side of the private genius.
This groundbreaking collection of almost 300 letters and postcards has been edited and annotated by Hunter Davies, whose authorized biography The Beatles (1968) was published to great acclaim. With unparalleled knowledge of Lennon and his contemporaries, Davies reads between the lines of the artist's words, contextualizing them in Lennon's life and using them to reveal the man himself.
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"Woody Allen wrote a short comic piece once called "The Metterling Lists." Part of the joke of it was that it was the collected grocery lists of a great man. I was reminded of this as I finished "The John Lennon Letters" (edited by Hunter Davies). I was tempted-- briefly-- to pick at this book for its inconsequential notes and letters and for not living up to my expectations. I was hoping to find great correspondence between Lennon and other famous artists, and more love letters to Yoko. Instead it is full of postcards, memos to servants, a few short notes to fans, etc., literally ending with Lennon's grocery lists. And, of course, one already knows the windup is going to be sad. BUT I am such a huge fan of the man that, in the end, I was won over by the book, for its humility, for its fun and for its beauty (its physical beauty, hats off to the publisher Little, Brown.) You might have to be a Lennon worshiper to fully appreciate this collection, in toto, but, if you are, the rewards are similar to listening to the entire 5 CD set, "The Lennon Anthology.""
— Corey (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“I read it from cover to cover and will probably give it as a Christmas present.”
— Guardian (London) -
“The triumph of these 200 or so letters is that they are not just about John and Mimi, or John and The Beatles, or John and Yoko. They are all of that, but within the framework editor Hunter Davies gives them, they’re also about a time and place, and Lennon’s role within it.”
— Independent (London) -
“This is a significant piece of work, and a definitive addition to Lennon’s history that will assist historians for generations to come.”
— Examiner -
“Hunter has done a sensitive and scrupulous job collecting and annotating Lennon’s letters, and the book is beautifully designed.”
— Vanity Fair
The John Lennon Letters Listener Reviews
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" Interesting, personal, filled with doodles to friends, fans, family. Amazing insight into Lennon's informal writings and musings, and a fun read. (I love the Beatles, and anything Beatles. This was a hefty book, but a good one.) "
— Sonya, 2/19/2014 -
" This is a massive book full of letters, postcards and lists that Lennon wrote to friends, family, fans and his fellow Beatles. Through these letters we gain insight into Lennon's personality, a lot of which has been documented before. We see firsthand his wit, his brilliance, his soft side as well his snarky side. It's no secret that Lennon had a nasty side and his ability to deliver a stinging almost cruel verbal lashing is on full display here. The letters are broken down by the period of his life and respected Beatle biographer Hunter Davies provides some valuable insight. That said this book is really geared toward the serious Lennon fan. "
— Sheryl, 1/16/2014 -
" I love reading anything John wrote, so I really loved this book! "
— Melissa, 1/12/2014 -
" the life of John Lennon is ever so fascinating and this book was wonderful. it really allowed the reader to see into what was happening in the life of John Lennon "
— Jamie, 1/12/2014 -
" Delightful heap of ephemera with a good bit about the autograph market on the side. Happy Chrimbo, Beatles geeks! "
— Autumn, 12/29/2013 -
" While not a big John Lennon fan, I enjoyed this pseudo history of the Beatle's through his words. "
— Roseann, 12/27/2013 -
" The book arrived yesterday and started reading intro by Hunter Davies but got lots of reading to do so till be a dip in and out book, but looking forward to it all the same "
— Paul, 12/20/2013 -
" Nit a bad book but more like going to a museum than a book to 'read'. You would have to be a die hard fan to work your way through this comprehensive collection of any and ALL writing by John Lennon "
— Su, 12/11/2013 -
" I enjoyed this book. I love that pieces of John were found everywhere. I enjoyed seeing his handwriting and illustrations on his letters. For such a grandiose image....he really seemed down to earth in his correspondence. "
— Cyn, 11/20/2013 -
" Fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the book was put together. "
— Jessica, 8/6/2013 -
" John wrote to Ringo more than to any other Beatle! (or at least there are more extant postcards). But only Paul rates long poison letters. "
— Grace, 4/13/2013 -
" Need some time to formulate my thoughts...will get back. "
— Lauren, 2/26/2013 -
" Excellent collection of as much of John Lennon's letters and postcards from his childhood through his death. Gives you a much broader sense of him as a person (son, nephew, cousin, husband, musician, author, friend, father). "
— Jennifer, 12/26/2012 -
" Fascinating look into the life of this talented and most interesting fellow. "
— Taryn, 11/17/2012 -
" I enjoyed getting to know a new side of John Lennon. "
— Lisa, 10/27/2012
About John Lennon
John Lennon (1940–1980) was born in Liverpool, England. A singer, songwriter, and musician, he was one of the cofounders of The Beatles, one of the most successful bands in music history. In 1969, Lennon left the Beatles and began a recording partnership with his wife, Yoko Ono. The title track of his album Imagine was eventually named the third all-time best song by Rolling Stone.
About the Narrators
Hunter Davies, formerly an editor for the Sunday Times (London), is a prolific British author, journalist, and broadcaster. His many books include the only authorized biography of the Beatles and The Glory Game, widely regarded as one of the best books ever written about football. He lives in London.
Christopher Eccleston is an English actor who is known for his extensive television work, most notably portraying the Ninth Doctor in Doctor Who. He was trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and has received two RTS Awards for Best Actor.
Allan Corduner, Earphones Award–winning narrator, is a voice, film, and theater actor who has worked in London’s West End and on Broadway. He starred as Sir Arthur Sullivan in Mike Leigh’s Topsy Turvy. Other films include Moonlight Mile, The Green Zone, and Yentl. He has also appeared in several BBC Radio 4 plays, including The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui and Insignificance. His narration includes The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and Garth Nix’s Keys to the Kingdom series.