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: Well-written, but he's not out yet...
Summary: 4 Stars
Brian Warner (a.k.a. Marilyn Manson) saw more abuse, rejection, and misery in his childhood than most of us do in a lifetime. He was rejected not only by the people who were supposed to love him the most (i.e., his parents and grandparents), but also by his teachers and classmates. As he describes in disgusting detail, one of his grandfathers was a closet cross-dresser who liked to masturbate to bestiality and fetish pornography, and his grandmother would punish him and his cousin by making them kneel on a broomstick for up to an hour. He was molested by a neighbor and emotionally neglected by his parents. His efforts at fitting in at his Christian school were met with scolding and condemnation by his teachers. And this was only the beginning...
In his high school and early college years he began experimenting with hallucinogenic drugs, the occult, and sadomasochism. He realized (if not at the time, at least when he wrote the book) that something was wrong with what he was doing, but rather than get help, he perpetuated the same sorts of things that had been done to him. As the fame of Marilyn Manson grew, so did the level of violence, destruction, and perversity inherent in his actions. He and his friends physically, mentally, and/or sexually abused various people, including fans at their own concerts and even each other (chapters 8, 12 and 13 are particularly relevant here).
Rather than being allowed to continue the abuse, he should be arrested and brought up on charges of assault and battery, attempted murder, hate crimes, illegal drug use, vandalism, and even "lesser" crimes like creating a public health hazard (e.g. filling a piñata with entrails and placing a bat on the stage, knowing what his fans would do with it). Since he exhibits strong symptoms of both narcissism and borderline personality disorder (e.g., self-mutilation, erratic and dangerous behavior, feelings of self-hate, disregard for the well-being of others, an inability to tolerate weakness or faults in others, etc.), part of his sentence should including spending a few years in intensive psychotherapy. I'm assuming, of course, that the statute of limitations on these cases has not run out. Either way, the bottom line is that Warner should be held accountable for and made to make reparations for the damage he's done to his victims.
In reading the book I tried hard to find something redeeming in how Warner's life is now versus what it was in the earlier days of Marilyn Manson, and there do seem to be a few hopeful points. He seems to be using drugs a lot less, which is a good start, and apparently he's not acting out in destructive ways as much as he used to. I was particularly hopeful in reading the last paragraph on page 242 and the next on page 243 where he writes things like, "As the drugs drained out of my system, humanity-tears, love, hate, self-respect, guilt-was rushing back to me...My apathy to the world had become a desire to save it." On the other hand, nowhere in the book does Warner express remorse for all his wrongdoing. Where's the regret for having perpetuated and even magnified the type of abuse he experienced as a child? Where's the evidence of a desire to help those who've been abused and neglected realize that they are valuable human beings worthy of being loved by others?
People who know and accept themselves are able to admit when they're wrong, and they take responsibility for their actions. Unfortunately, The Long Road Out of Hell shows far too little evidence of this being true of Marilyn Manson-at least not yet. My hope is that someday Brian Warner and others who've been abused will realize that what they experienced growing up wasn't their fault, and that they are worth being cared about; that being beaten isn't a demonstration of love, and that being humiliated isn't the same thing as being appreciated by another. I also hope that instead of perpetuating the cycle, they'll have the courage to get the help they need from people who will truly care about them. Only then will they have begun to traverse the 'long road out of hell'.
Book Review: Philosophy or Perversions?
Summary: 4 Stars
I read this at the genesis of my "Manson Phase" in 1999. But then I read it again a year later and I got more out of it because I knew a lot more than I did during my initial phase of 'worshipping' Marilyn Manson.Marilyn Manson is a very intelligent person, perhaps one of the most articulate people in show business. Some of the stuff he says in this book have become personal quotes, not so much now, but back then yes. It's very philisophical, but some of it was also perverse. I can understand the drug problems, and the tensions amongst his band mates, and his school and everyone else who may have oppressed him, but his sexual explorations and innuendos were somewhat uncalled for. I am not criticizing Manson or his lifestyle. I always believed that whatever decisions you have made add some piece to the puzzle of your existence that completely makes up who you are and who you will be for the rest of your life. But if I wanted to read about sex, I'd read Penthouse.
I absolutely loved how he made one full page of all the rumours that were spread about him, and his response in his journal about all of those rumours, such as the removing his two ribs so he can perform the Monica Lewinsky Treatment on himself, and how he was on the Wonder Years, the animal sacrifices and all of the rumours that he was gonna commit suicide at a show. To me that was a stroke of genius.
I may not be his biggest fan now, but after reading this, I began to understand Manson more than your average ignorant or open minded person would. I still respect him for sticking to his guns and not caring about what others think. But what kinda pisses me off is that whether he is onstage (great live performer by the way!), or offstage, he is still Marilyn Manson. There was no sense of Brian Warner whatsoever, and sometimes his persona is dehumanizing to his caliber. He hides behind stage makeup and mutilated tattered clothing, which is deemed pronographic by some. Of courtse it's supposed to add to his 'mystique' but when you're writing an autobiography, or a hagiography so personal as this one, you kind of have to step out of yourself for it. Even in some interviews. Take for example, Maynard James Keenan from Tool/Perfect Circle. When he's on stage he's Maynard, a God, an enigma, a shaman of sorts. But when he's offstage, doing interviews and whatnot, he's a simple man from Ohio with a candid and articulate personality, and someone who seems to be comfortable in his own skin, something Manson obviously isn't. Keenan offstage doesn't need his onstage antics or persona to float him or to make him completely unbelievable to his fans.
Overall, I recommend reading this book word by word without any biast about his music, or any rumours you may have heard from the Christian Right or any people who hate it. You're guaranteed at least some reaction, and probably a more intellectual reaction to Manson. Even some Manson haters liked this book, and agreed that he has a certain amount of intelligence.
Book Review: Marilyn Manson Review
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Book Review: Everything you wanted to know -- and more...
Summary: 4 Stars
This book should have been a bigger best seller than it was. It has all the elements of the hottest fictional books going -- and it claims to be reality! You see the sexual weirdnesses of Manson's grandfather, the war damage of his father, and his mother's odd rat saving techniques. This is definitely not the typical family next door. From there we move on to ever sicker things as the band takes shape and sex and all kinds of drugs take center stage most nights. But through all the sensationalistic features, there also runs the portrait of an American superstar. Someone most of "middle America" loves to hate. Manson takes no pains to cover the warts on his personality. Nor does he "airbrush" over the personality quirks and flaws of his friends and bandmates. Although, in some cases, it becomes abundantly clear that the book is unfair in it's portrayal of some people because Manson doesn't bother to hide his hatred and contempt for them at all. That biased view is typical of any memoir, though, and shouldn't put you off of reading the book.This book does serve to tell you what Manson is about and what he thinks -- his ideology comes through clearly. (to summarize grossly -- think for yourself and be an individual) It also gives some insight into the minds of the Christian Right and serves up a slice of it's battle against popular music. But most of all this book is a chronicle of one man's growth and transformation -- one which may not be complete, but is still fascinating to watch unfold. "Long Hard Road Out of Hell" makes Manson something the media has managed to hide from us all -- a human being.
Though in the end, we are left asking...how much of this is true? I would hazard a guess that most of it is true. Noone portrayed in the book has had a problem with what was said (excepting the former guitarist who is not portrayed in a pleasant light -- probably mostly unjustly so). I would also guess that there are some untruths in the book. Some stories sound a little too strange. But, let's not forget that this is a man who plays roles for the public; bursting onto the scene as the Antichrist and morphing into a futuristic, yet retro, "Mechanical Animal" for the masses.
Overall, I have to give the book a high rating for it's ability to entertain. Whether it's gospel truth or not, this book delivers more fun reading than any cheesy, sexy, thrilling bestselling novel can. Whether or not you like or care about Marilyn Manson as a man or as a band, you will be horrified, repulsed and yet drawn to the story as it unfolds. It's the rubbernecking effect in action! This is a must read for anyone who studies pop culture or loves modern music. Get it and be scared, saddened, amazed and educated!
Book Review: From Canton, Ohio, to Rock and Roll Stardom
Summary: 3 Stars
Marilyn Manson is one of rock music's most controversial figures. His mannerisms, his beliefs, and the things he sings about are bound to stir up strong emotional feelings from different people. If you've ever wondered about the life experiences that created the modern- day Marilyn Manson, then this is the book for you.
Manson was born Brian Warner in Canton, Ohio, and his early years were spent doing typical boyish things. But the one experience Manson points out in this book that forever changed his life in a negative way was his attendance at Heritage Christian School. This "educational" private institution was run by staunch protestant fundamentalists and the administrators of the school were very strict, very brainwashing, and very intolerant. They told kids like young Brian Warner that, because he was a member of the Episcopal faith, he had no chance to get to heaven. This extremism led Warner to rebel, and he was never the same afterward.
Manson talks about all sorts of other personal life experiences that had an important impact on his life. A neighbor guy once tried to molest him and he and his cousin discovered one day that their grandfather had a secret stash of adult films and women's clothing. These experiences, and the constant demonization of sex at his school, led Manson to become obsessed with topics like sex and religion, and they are mentioned continuously in this book.
Besides his past (which keeps coming back to haunt him), Manson also spends time talking about his life as a rock and roller. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails is one of Manson's close confidants (the two had a falling out, but I think they are back to being friends again) and he has had personal relationships with other people and with plenty of women. He talks about living in Florida and the process that led to the formation of his band, showing the reader the long, hard road that must be plowed to reach the heights of the music world.
One thing I didn't like too much about this book was the drawings of the human body and the diagrams that identify the parts. Not because they are nasty or anything like that, but because I didn't think they added much to the book. Also, at some points, I found the writing to be a little creepy. Manson talks very bluntly about sex, drugs, religion, etc., so you need to be prepared to hear some outspoken language. Some will find it shocking, while others will find it weird but also fascinating.
Marilyn Manson is an unusual fellow for certain. But he is also an intelligent guy who offers some interesting perspectives on life. Many will not agree with everything he says, but some of his philosophical views will get you to think and re-think how you stand on these topics of controversy.