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"Is this the real life" by Mark Blake

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c.jory · Member since
MercurialFreddie wrote:

Hi !

Just finished reading "Is this the real life" by Mark Blake. Although I've heard that it is generally well-received book by Queen fans there are few things which in my opinion are controversial.


Secondly and this is important question concerning Freddie, which I'd like you to address. In the section concerning years 1977-1986 Mark Blake through others' eyes, especially Freddie's school friends depicts the singer as a person who is blatantly egoistic, full of himself, a diva prancing around. This is the most harsh image of him that I've seen in a non-conflict situation. Can anyone clarify if Freddie really was like that at the time ?


I agree with what you said about most of this book. I stopped reading most of the way through.
However I interpreted the college years assessment of Freddie a little different. I got the impression that although he did prance around and maybe was a little overbearing in his ideas for people's bands, (plus maybe slightly annoying with his singing during a conversation and air-guitaring with art equipment) that they ultimately found him endearing. Having read Rose Rose's book about her relationship during this time, he does also have a similar personality in that.
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c.jory · Member since
Also the author uses too many interviews with a guy called Mark Malden who I've encountered online. He's a mental case, completely deluded (with a history of violence) and because of this, I have a hard time believing some of the comments he's made in the book.
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ggo1 · Member since
I enjoyed the book. Didn't think it painted Fred badly at all. A few instances of him blanking old acquaintences but also a few instances of him apologising afterwards. There was a lot of stuff in there, particularly about the pre Queen days that I hadnt seen before. Once the book got to the1980s I don't think there was anything new in it, but worth reading for the early stuff. Like all books of this type it's other people's recollections and maybe the band would remember things differently but Blake did manage to talk, however briefly, to a number of peripheral figures from the band's early days that when put together gives a really good overview of the early years.
Like all books of this type, take everything with a pinch of salt, peoples memories fade over time, but it's well written and I don't think it treats the band badly at all. If you are someone who thinks the band members are all faultless angels then you'll find some things in it that you won't like, but there's plenty you will as well.