sex, alcohol, organic carrot juice, some music

Moby can write - this memoir felt workshopped the right way - but what's somewhat missing here is the heart of Moby's music. What makes him tick musically? What was the inspiration behind his music (though Moby does wax nostalgic about hardcore), but I was left wanting to learn a lot more. Where inspiration comes from.

His descriptions of lower Manhattan as a hell hole in the early nineties are untrue. Maybe it didn't resemble white-bread Connecticut where he hailed from, but every block he seems to describe as a rat-infested crack den. C'mon Moby. Stop the exaggerating. Those of us who lived there (and I lived on the same block as Moby on East 10th Street), view it much differently. But it's his book.

It is unfortunate that he dwells on his sexual escapades, making up for in his late 20s/early 30s what he couldn't do in his teens and early 20s. Kind of a yuck factor. Wish he had kept it all to himself. Didn't know I'd have to file this memoir next to Pamela des Barres'.

Moby is a very good reader of his work, which is why I kept listening. There is a dispassionate quality to his oration which matches the tone of the narrative. And he describes the disappointment of empty or nearly empty rooms very well - the listener is there with him. These scenes were exemplary.

Just wish I didn't have to be with him every time he got laid.

7 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Such a great listen

I hated finishing this book what a super well written and interesting book... Get it its awesome!

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Moby awkwardly talks about himself having sex too much

I just wanted him to stop talking about how he had sex. They weren't interesting sex stories nor meaningful to him...they were just simply repetitive anecdotes that he had had sex. Really strange.

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Just ok

I thought my life was humdrum. Moby's life is actually pretty boring. I related to his life struggle as an alcoholic. I am a fan of your music. But I expected a much more exciting book

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

get his other book. this book is so boring

the over descriptions of every single little thing reads like an 8 year old in school writing a report about adjectives. his other book was so fun to read. what happened?

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Not Just For Moby Fans

I bought this book because I heard a reading of it beforehand, and Moby's voice is really seductive while reading. I mean that he could read you a bedtime story. What I heard was the prologue, I could already tell there was a strong literary feel to it, which I found somewhat surprising for a musician, but perhaps not surprising for the brooding musician who wrote songs titled "When It's Cold I'd Like to Die" and "Why Does My Heart (Feel So Bad)." I think the turned out to be as sentimental and at times exceedingly hopeful and inspiring, as I had first thought. First, as someone who often listens to audiobooks while I sleep, I think this would be a great book for 'sound therapy', or whatever you'd like to call it, because Moby reads the entire book in an undertone and is considerate about making too much noise even when he has to change inflection. But the book also tells a story about gritty and depraved life in the 80s and 90s, 'old world New York'; a lost time that has given way to the McDonaldization/Disneyfication of, at least, the touristy part of New York which happened over the last 20 years. There's ugliness but comfort to this memoir, like a gray cloudy day. I'm not sure how else to describe it, unless you've ever gotten a glimpse of dirt post-modern city life. People familiar with Moby in the era post 2010 will be surprised to hear that this book is not at all political, unless you're one of those people who gets upset by the mere mention of veganism or existentialism. But the book remains stoic in mentioning these, describing that Moby did/does believe in these things, but doesn't push the "why" of it. The story doesn't technically go anywhere; it's just a memoir. There are a lot of great stories within, and I did cry on several emotional parts, or became elated by just the beautiful descriptions of things, times, and places that Moby sometimes uses. So, for a memoir, it's very good. I would recommend listening to the demos of Porcelain (the book) on Spotify or wherever else it's available. If you enjoy that, you'll probably enjoy the whole book.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Loved it!

I was a big fan of Moby as a teen in the early 90s. i loved the accounts of his life growing up and through that time. Very well written. Some of his analogies had me cracking up.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Moby and Body shaming--

What made the experience of listening to Porcelain the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the stories... Enjoyed the performance of it all until Chapter 28--when he describes business class as being for 'fat business people'. I have a weight issue. I have admired Moby's music for its harmony, serenity and energy. I met him years ago, when I was excessively thin, when he owned TEANY and he was he extremely polite, in fact he signed a mug that I purchased for someone as a gift. The man exuded such peace that 30 minutes later when I saw a couple of huge guys getting ready to beat each other up on the street I interceded and got them to calm down...it was my way of paying it forward. I was caught up in his stories and was immediately taken out of them by his unthinking judgement. Of course, he goes on to mention 'fat' again--mocking the man for impending health issues only to qualify himself as a 'dick'. Well-- yeah, yeah you are.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Porcelain?

o i think the above is it!

Have you listened to any of Moby’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

sucks ass, showing a very mean-spirited person....

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

please see above

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Very engaging, had to get the second book

I love memoirs, and especially musician memoirs. My favorites are Miles Davis', Kenny Aronoff's, and the dozens of Beatles and Stones books I've read. Oksay, my favorite Beatles book is probably Tune In, but they're all great.

I'm mostly a jazz and rock guy but Extreme Ways made me obsessed. I love this song from the Bourne soundtrack so much. I found out it was Moby, and then decided to check out his book.

My favorite part of all these music or artist books is usually that point where their mindset subtly shifts from "darn, will I make it?" to...well, one of success. I always try to identify this point in their writing and I love feeling that shift.

This book really gives you a struggling artist, who grew up with not a lot of money etc, and all the successes and disappointments that culminate to a steady climb on a ladder, or along a road and well it's just a thrill to watch.

There's a lot about gear and music, sometimes very detailed which I love, but I was surprised to find the details of his personal life very engaging. I really found the writing interesting.

Moby has a great sense of humor and the many escapades and funny stories are laced with a charming self deprecation which makes it all work.

I just finished it and immediately ordered the second one...

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Honest and intimate

Moby speaks openly about his failures, triumphs, and failures again. Candid yet charming, and not a tell-all about all the people he knows and how famous he is. Can't wait for part two.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile