Richard

Title: Richard
Author: Ben Myers
Published: 2010 by Picador
Genre: Fictional biography
Pages: 392 + bibliography and such




Yeah. Again, within the year. I don't know, I just got an urge to re-read it sometime December.


Richard is Myers' take on what could have happened to Richey Edwards, the fourth member of the Manic Street Preachers, when he disappeared on the 1st of February 1995. It's purely fictional, based on the few more or less certain sightings of Edwards that were made within two weeks or so after his disappearance. It's touching and haunting and painful to read, but it's written beautifully and it's just so real to so many people.


The Manics came out with a new album last year. The song As Holy as the Soil (That Buries Your Skin) just breaks my fucking heart.





   Because you know fine well that love is just another philosophical construct - one based on sexual desire, insecurity and a deep-rooted fear of lifelong loneliness. Therefore to fall 'in love' is denying what you already know. And in denying what you know, you are somehow selling yourself out. And besides, there is no 'right person' out there for you. You're too boring and jealous and self-obsessed. 
   Maybe you're right.
   Your ideal woman would be a mirror. A mirror with a brain, but no mouth.
   That's not true. I've always got on with women better than men.
   You just can't commit to one.
   Right.
   Because you're fucked in the head.
   Right.
   And you're talking to yourself right now.
   Right.