Customer Reviews

My Take

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In spite of the numerous typographical errors (which normally drive me up the wall), I really, really enjoyed this book. Of course I'm biased, I wouldn't be spending £10 on his autobiography if I wasn't a Gary Barlow fan, but that aside, I think any Take That fan would find 'My Take' incredibly insightful, even if Gary isn't their favourite. It's very interesting to read about what Take That mania was like for the band and how it was to be on the receiving end of the madness as opposed to being the fan. Gary is very candid about how domineering he was as the "leader" and how possessive he was over his songs that he didn't want to share writing credits with any of the other boys. There are times when you feel bad for the other guys in the band who always felt like second best to the "talented singer-songwriter, Gary" and times when you feel bad for Gary as he learned (the hard way) that hogging the song writing spotlight also meant that all the pressure and responsibility rested on him. He also writes openly about how it was to be a member of one of the most successful boy-bands of the time and of how they had different girls every night and couldn't be bothered to learn their names. Some people have said that they liked Gary less after having read this book but I feel the exact opposite. I like Gary even more now that I did before reading this book. I appreciate his honesty and the fact that he tells it like it is whether it makes him look bad or not. It also makes you understand him better. He goes from being Britain's golden boy of song writing to being the butt of all Robbie's jokes. I highly recommend `My Take' to any Take That fan. The price may be a tad bit steep for a tiny paperback book, but it is chock-full of interesting tid-bits about their songs and videos and even their 2006 comeback - its well worth it!

I am a huge Take That fan (not into Gary in particular, more of a Mark girl myself) so I would have bought this regardless of whether it was good.
Though knowing how well Gary articulates himself in interviews I am not surprised that this book is very well written.
I was surprised by how honest he writes - there are more than a few passages that don't make him look too good. (which ends up making him all the more likeable)
I really enjoyed the book.

It doesn't cover everything that you have always wanted to know about Take That, sometimes I was left groaning, because I wanted to know more details about something particular. But considering how big of a time span this book has to cover there just isn't time for everything I guess. It tells Gary's story up until before the reunion with Robbie (which happened after the book was published) I recommend to everyone to watch the "For The Record" documentary and also "Look back but don't Stare".

The book is well written, funny at times, honest - and leaves you wishing every member of TT would write their version of it, so there'd be a POV version for each of them.