Book: Madonna Like An Icon by Lucy O'Brien

It is no secret that I am a huge Madonna fan so when this book came out recently I was the first to grab a copy. There have been a fair few biographies written on her Madgesty over the years and none of them are really outstanding, but that's because the authors have to rely on a friend of a friend of a friend who once knew Madonna's hairdresser, or the billions of newsprint that's been used writing about her Megastardom lifestyle. These books have either been on the negative side or too far on the positive, but Lucy O'Brien seems to have hit the right balance, portraying Madonna as good, bad, beautiful and ugly. This is only fair, as let's face it, Madonna is a bit of a madam sometimes! The story starts off normal enough in downtown Michigan where the author begins the trail of Madonna. It goes through each stage of her life with lots of interviews from people who have worked with her (Niki Harris her back up singer and (now ex)friend, various producers and songwriters etc.) but there is no imput from anyone really close to Madonna. I don't think I have learnt anything new about her from this book, but I did feel myself cringing on occasion when the author highlighted some of Madonna's moments when she was rude, bad mannered and sourfaced. Madonna is a tough cookie when it comes to work and she does not suffer fools gladly so beware the person who gets on the wrong side of her. But, on the other hand she works hard, is professional and she is extremely intelligent. A few insights in the book from people that have worked or stayed with Madonna mentioned that she is a voracious reader and knows more then anyone gives her credit for. What the general public forget is that she not only sings the songs, but she writes or co writes them and in many cases co produces them as well. All her studio buddys say she takes on the full role in making a Madonna record, she is not writer and producer in name only. The author highlights Madonna's creativity and energy which she uses to the full in her amazing stage shows. Like me, Lucy O'Brien was at Wembley during the Confessions Tour, and like me she was knocked breathless by it. Overall this is a good book for a fan and an excellent book for a general reader with an interest in the lives of the rich and famous. There were a few niggles with some of the facts, but I enjoyed it. The author has done her homework and she has done Madonna proud with this book, but, in the end it is a biography only. Biographies have to rely on what is available and what is available is not always correct. I still do not know the real Madonna. The only person who can tell us about her is Madonna herself.
Score Board: 10/10. A good solid resume of Madonna's life. Recommended