Serge Gainsbourg: A Fistful Of Gitanes [Paperback]

Sylvie Simmons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2002

In this, the first English biography to capture Gainsbourg in all his contradiction and gleeful outrageousness, Simmons tells the fascinating story of the Gallic star. Drawing on hours of new interviews with his intimates-among them Jane Birkin, Sly & Robbie, Marianne Faithfull, and celebrated producer Philippe Lerichomme-Simmons describes in crackling prose the scope of Gainsbourg's achievement while doing full justice to his complicated emotional life. Simmons's work will stand as the definitive take on a dizzying genius.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinating tale of a complex man whose music endures and legend still grows." -- Time Out UK

About the Author

Sylvie Simmons is one of the best-known names in rock journalism. Her books include the short story collection Too Weird For Ziggy, the Neil Young biography Reflections In Broken Glass, and A Fistful Of Gitanes, which Leonard Cohen described as "wonderful" and JG Ballard made his book of the year. Born and raised in London, she currently lives in San Francisco.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (September 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306811839
• ISBN-13: 978-0306811838
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Initials S.G., October 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Serge Gainsbourg: A Fistful Of Gitanes (Paperback)

If you can't read French and are interested in learning more about Serge Gainsbourg, by all means pick this up instead of Alan Clayson's "View From The Exterior". The simple reason being, Clayson can't write. "Exterior" is an unbearable read due to Clayson's self-satasfied pretentiousness. Simmons offers nothing of the kind. If anything, it's like reading an elaborate magazine article. No surprize, Simmons is a rock journalist. But where Clayson was more concerned with voicing his far-from-humble opinions, Simmons gets down to the business of Serge Gainsbourg. The good, the bad & the ugly.

Though only a 139 pages in length, FISTFUL OF GIGANTES is an honest, concise and informative document of a very complex personality. Interviews with the likes of Jane Birkin and those in the know, neither demonize nor deify. Simmons' style is informal to say the least, but she never let's it get in the way of her subject. In fact, it's far more intimate than many biographies I've read. What makes this so readable is the author's obvious curiousty for her subject. Her bare bones approach allows Gainsborg, rather than the author to be the sensationalist. So, if you failed all your French classes or never had the oppurtunity of being an exchange student, let FISTFUL OF GITANTES's act as your interpreter. She even translates the song titles for you. My only reservation is that it was over far too soon. As they say, "time flies"...

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Ms. Simmons!, December 12, 2001

By 

Maria (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serge Gainsbourg: A Fistful of Gitanes (Paperback)

Must-read biography of one of the most fascinating men in 20th century music. I've not read the Clayson biography, but after reading A Fistful of Gitanes, I don't have any need to read another Gainsbourg biography (in English at least)! The writing is interesting and draws you in. Also many insights from interviews with Jane Birkin (Gainsbourg's ex-wife).

Also recommended are Evgenie Sokolov and Gilles Verlant's biography of Gainsbourg (in French).

*thumbs way way up!*

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well done, December 21, 2008

By 

Reggie "Reggie" (Downingtown, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Serge Gainsbourg: A Fistful Of Gitanes (Paperback)

This was a wonderful book on Serge. The photographs were great, too. I liked that the book was clearly written and included tons of names and places so I could do further research.