I just finished reading the book, and apart from a couple of tid-bits, it wasn't anything I didn't know - and I didn't find it imposingly negative.

I think the negative slant comes from clearing up much of Prince's self-made mythology regarding events such as The Black Album and his first marriage.

This book did nothing to change or influence my view that Prince has issues with self-esteem, intimacy with colleagues and friends, control of his environment, and his simplistic, almost misogynistic views on, and treatment of, women.

I do have to say that I didn't find it as tabloid-esque as reported here by some, but I thought the back-cover blurb about the chest pains and wine incident was degrading of the book in general, and made it appear sleazy, an opinion I do not hold of the book after reading it.

A theme in the book was his choice of women, and it's clear to see that there is a physical resemblance between Mani - Mayte - Sheila - Cat - Apollonia - Vanity et all - but, you know, I like strong, well-built masculine men with blue eyes - I don't think that's a case in point.

I did find his penchant for young girls, especially he got older, to be a little off-putting - both Anna Garcia and Mayte being under-age when he first started being involved with them, although the book is clear to stress that sexual relations did not begin until they were 18 (although Anna Garcia arriving in MPLS on her 18th birthday raises some issues about tact if nothing else).

Over all, I thought the book was as indepth as it could be in only approx. 200 pages - and much of the information was a whirlwind tour through that of previously published information in DMSR.

My feelings about Prince's post 1987 production haven't been influenced much by the book, I already consider his 90s output to be vastly inferior in terms of artistic development.

I think a lot of fans have been immediately defensive about the book, without reason in my opinion -

I can't find much to contest in the book, and found it enjoyable, if dis-heartening to read, simply due to the overwhleming feeling amongst those interviewed, such as Alan Leeds and Marylou Badeaux that his vast talent, along with his artistic development and promise through 1977-87 was squanded on a series of ever more short-sighted and self-destructive (personally and career-wise) moves.

I guess we will see where the next chapter begins at 7:00pm tonight!

VelvetSplash said:

I think the book is pretty bad .Most of the quotes have been used before ,many from the Uptown books.I wont defend some of Prince's decisions over the years , however the entire "Fall" section fails to take into account the various changes the industry has gone thru.

And are we really supposed to take this whole "Anna Fantastic" thing seriously? I mean , I really dont care who Prince sleeps with but this whole portion sounds like a "Divinity" type episode.

I dont understand why some can't get over the fact that Wendy & Lisa are gone .Prince is Prince and always will be.I enjoyed thier work with him but they did not make him who he is.

I think the book does deal with industry changes - the emergence of rap in mainstream pop in the late 80s/early 90s (which is nothing compared to now!) - and the industry exec changes.

It also deals with Prince's handling of both of these.

I think Prince's "downfall" has been more due to his own bad decisions than the industry changing - other artists have changed with the times.

I think a lot of the time, he has cut off his nose to spite his face.