Book Reviews
Hold the front page! This is what the papers say. If you’ve come across anything else, please let us know. Apologies for the lack of radio interview sound bytes – coming soon!
The Big Issue
January 2005
Off the shelf
Mickey Elias & Ed Seeker
In response to confusion about being male in the 21st century, Mickey Elias and Ed Seeker set out to reveal their not-very-attractive inner selves in “MEN Speak the Unspeakable”.
What do you hope to achieve?
Ed: I want people to be able to chat about all their secrets, as if it was a normal everyday conversation.
Are men more confused than women about their role in society?
Mickey: Yes. Who are our positive male role models? Does anyone know what roles we’re supposed to play? No – because ‘all men are… bastards, bullies, wimps, unavailable, Mummy’s boys, victims, abusers, or…’ Think of one positive term people use. Does anyone like men? Do we like us? That’s where the book came from. We needed to turn into men. We didn’t know how.
Which sentence from the book most encapsulates the project?
Mickey: ‘I have balls, rather than Elastoplast’.
The book is for over 18’s only – was that on the advice of your lawyers, or a ploy to sell more?
Mickey: On the advice of our lawyers. If you’re happy being in control of your life the way it is now, fine. But if it’s time to ‘grow into the bigger life’, maybe you need to read the book.