In His Own Write [Hardcover]

John Lennon (Author), Yoko Ono (Introduction)

Book Description

Release date: October 10, 2000

About The Awful

I was bored on the 9th of Octover 1940 when, I believe, the Nasties were still booming us led by Madolf Heatlump (who only had one). Anyway they didn't get me. I attended to varicous schools in Liddypol. And still didn't pass -- much to my Aunties supplies. As a member of the most publified Beatles my (P, G, and R's) records might seem funnier to some of you than this book, but as far as I'm conceived this correction of short writty is the most wonderfoul larf I've every ready.

God help and breed you all.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“In His Own Write features the same sort of surreal turns of phrase that insinuated themselves into late-period Beatles classics such as ‘Come Together’ and ‘Strawberry Fields Forever.’”

—San Francisco Chronicle

“Worth the attention of anyone who fears for the impoverishment of the English language and the British imagination.”

—The Times Literary Supplement

“[Features] a wit and love of words that recall[s] Joyce and fanciful drawings some compare to Thurber.”

—Hartford Courant (Connecticut)

“A quirky, funny collection of stories, poems and drawings.”

—The New York Times

“Lunatic humor. . . Zany, offbeat, and illustrated by his grotesque and spidery pen. It jolts the reader into gusts of laughter.”

—The Guardian

“Fascinating. . . It goes down like pure whimsy and then back-kicks like a sick mule.”

—The Sunday Times

“Bewitching.”

—USA Today

“Lennon's marvelously clever In His Own Write was the surprise literary sensation of 1964....you get Lennon's biting humor and brilliant puns: Lewis Carroll as rock star.”

—Tampa Tribune

About the Author

Best known as singer-songwriter for the legendary Beatles, John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England. In 1969, Lennon married Yoko Ono and the two formed the Plastic Ono Band. Lennon was killed by a deranged fan outside his apartment building in New York on December 8, 1980.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684868075
• ISBN-13: 978-0684868073
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.5 x 7.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Pop Culture > Beatles
  • #73 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Songwriting

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Subtle Genius, In His Own Write... November 28, 2010

By 4-Legged Defender TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

Commemorating what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday, this reissue of his two forays into writing circa 1964 and '65 are a great way to celebrate the genius and memory of one of history's most celebrated men of the 20th century. Having both books in one edition is a definite plus (I still have an original 'In His Own Write' since I was a kid, but somewhere lost the second volume), and revisiting his writings that would later become the template for lyrics to such psychedelic classics as 'I Am The Walrus', 'Strawberry Fiends Forever', 'All You Need Is Love', 'Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite', 'Happiness Is A Warm Gun', 'Come Together' and other songs is a treat above all. Think Lewis Carroll as a rocker on acid in the 60's and you'll have a feel for these works. It's alternately witty, daft, funny, sarcastic, prosaic, confusing, oblique and brilliant. The drawings are a lark as well. If you didn't grow up with the Beatles, you probably won't find much pleasure in these pages, but if you did, it's like returning to OZ to see the Wizard. Long Live Lennon.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Disturbing, humorously chilling, ultimately brilliant! November 30, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I first read, or tried to read, "In His Own Write" when I was 14, at boarding school in England. Tears rolled down my cheeks! It was impossible to read the stories out loud to any hapless listener without collapsing into hysteria. The book was already out of print then, 1973. An instant collector's item! Greatly coveted! Years later I came across paperbacks of both books, sadly, in the wake of JL's tragic death. They took pride of place in my library. I lost them, or somebody stole them, a few years ago and I miss them more than any other book that's similarly walked from my home, now in the USA. I cannot recommend these works highly enough to anyone who appreciates offbeat humour. 5 stars really aren't enough for material SO brilliant and SO unique. The man and his work were, quite simply, pure genius.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, not just because it's John Lennon February 16, 2007

By Ethan Ballard

Format:Hardcover

Don't let these other reviewers scare you. You don't need to worship John Lennon to enjoy this book. Even if you don't like the Beatles, it is really great reading. In particluar, I think the poem 'Deaf Ted, Danoota, and Me' shows real talent.