Bono, Neil and the way the cookie crumbled - a book review.

I was Bono’s Doppelganger

by Neil McCormic

(Penguin, $22.95)

5 *****Stars

Neil McCormick should have been bigger than Bono. After all they grew up in the same neighbourhood, went to the same school and started playing in a band at about the same time. If you are asking “Neil McCormick... who?” don’t worry, you are not alone. But if you want an answer to that question, then there is no better place to start than this 325 page thesis of how it came to pass that two ordinary fellows could diverge so widely in their shared ambition for superstardom.

I was Bono’s Doppelganger or I killed Bono as it’s known in some countries is a thoroughly enjoyable romp through the mind of a sardonic self-assured megalomaniac, who despite his best efforts and self-evident prodigious talent can’t seem to score a break as the entire God-fearing universe, spear-headed by God’s right hand man, Bono, conspire to bury him in anonymity.

Seriously though, the man is not only an insightful music critic, he is a wounded lyricist and a writer of such candour that he makes you squirm in sympathy. And for those of you who are U2 fans, this book provides hilarious and at times quite damning insight into the mega-group’s antics, short comings and humble beginnings.

But, for Neil McCormick’s sake, don’t read it just because you want to know the dirt about U2, read it because it is worthy, worthy, worthy!

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