Sheena (dazeerae) reviewed The Private John Lennon: The Untold Story from His Sister on + 55 more book reviews
So much of what has been said about John Lennon's childhood is patently false. It's been said that John was raised by an aunt after his mom died. FALSE. He was 17 when his mother was killed and he'd been living with his aunt for years. It's been written that his mom didn't want to or was unable to care for him. FALSE. She was a loving mother who desperately wanted to keep him, but she was forced by disapproving parents and controlling sisters into giving John to her sister Mimi, as well as give up an illegitimate infant daughter for adoption. John's father, Alfred "Alfie" Lennon's job kept him away for months - even years - at a time. Julia's unwillingness to stay in a lonely marriage resulted in affairs which were particularly shocking during the 1940s-50s. She eventually set up house with her partner, Bobby Dykins, and gave birth to their two daughters Julia and Jackie. When John discovered that his mother and family were living nearby, he began to visit frequently. It was during these visits that John's mother taught him how to play the banjo, spurring his interest in music.
Just as John was reconnecting with his mother, she was tragically killed by a speeding motorist as she crossed the street. Her daughters' grieving father was unable to care for his children. As a result, the girls were shuffled between their mother's family members who refused to recognize them as true family since they were born out of wedlock, despite the fact that their mother had been with the girls' father for years. They were not told of their mother's death for weeks, and when they were finally told they were forced to mourn privately. The girls were treated as a problem that had to be dealt with, rather than being loved as grieving children whose life had been turned upside down.
There is so much more to say about this book, including Yoko's treatment of John's sisters, but this review is already so long. If you are a Lennon fan, you'll enjoy getting one more piece to the puzzle of his life. Some of the book drags, but mostly the tale helps lay the foundation of how John became a troubled and ultimately tragic icon.
Just as John was reconnecting with his mother, she was tragically killed by a speeding motorist as she crossed the street. Her daughters' grieving father was unable to care for his children. As a result, the girls were shuffled between their mother's family members who refused to recognize them as true family since they were born out of wedlock, despite the fact that their mother had been with the girls' father for years. They were not told of their mother's death for weeks, and when they were finally told they were forced to mourn privately. The girls were treated as a problem that had to be dealt with, rather than being loved as grieving children whose life had been turned upside down.
There is so much more to say about this book, including Yoko's treatment of John's sisters, but this review is already so long. If you are a Lennon fan, you'll enjoy getting one more piece to the puzzle of his life. Some of the book drags, but mostly the tale helps lay the foundation of how John became a troubled and ultimately tragic icon.
