Simply, a memoir of Sting's early years leading up to his time with the Police.

The main reason I picked up Sting's memoir was to do research on the inside of the music business; what it's like to get started and how the band works together, etc. I also enjoy Sting's music, though I'm not a diehard fan.


         He did a good job in portraying the beginnings of his career and does reference a few technical details, but not so many that it overwhelms a reader not interested in that aspect.


         As for the writing ... it is apparent that there wasn't major editing interfering with his own words. I would guess there was very little to no editing, by the mechanical errors I found. The memoir seems to be typical Sting: humorous in places, intelligence pervading throughout, and often very dry.


         After an incredible start that pulled me in, the book changed my opinion as I read, back and forth between "nice humor," "good self-expression," and "okay, get to the point." He tends to ramble and slow the story too often, but he does reveal much about himself in a curious cross between self-deprecation and pretentiousness. His working class background is portrayed well, and he does show some growth throughout as he learns about relationships and life from childhood through becoming an adult. However, I think it lacked as much growth as I think he should have had. It leaves the reader hoping he's still growing as a person.


         "Broken Music" is not what I would call great literature, though I think it could have been much better with more attention to editing and cutting, but it's worth a read for Sting fans and those interested in the struggles of a beginning musician.

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Created Sep 02, 2004 at 5:47pm • Submit your own review...