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 Changing Times
Christmas 2005
Men Speak
By Francesca Cassini
This book is unusual in so many ways – it is certainly the most frank book I’ve ever read and disarming in its delivery. “MEN Speak the Unspeakable” is the blunt transcript of Mickey and Ed’s taped conversations about life, which took place over a 14 month period. I laughed out loud; I cried; I was bored and sometimes I felt embarrassed by their discussion and I grew. What touched me most was the honesty – not just the honesty of their feelings being published, but the honesty between them. They really shared themselves, they let everything hang out and by the end of the book you know these two guys probably better than you know your friends. There isn’t a subject they don’t jump into; growing up, discrimination, toilet habits, discovering sexuality, parenting, fears, foibles, obsessive compulsive disorders and many other treasures. Now I know so much more about men than I ever expected to know.
How often have you wanted to be a fly on the wall and really hear what other people think? “MEN Speak the Unspeakable” is just that – your chance to be a fly on the wall listening to two men who won’t pull the wool over your eyes or pretend (for long anyway) that they’re something they’re not. It could have been easy for them as they talked into their Dictaphone to become entertainers, wise men or attention seekers, but you soon realise this is the real nitty-gritty of who they are, and who they become through the process. It’s brave.
This is not a book for the faint-hearted – the language is close to the bone and the personal exploration takes you deep into the hearts and souls of Mickey and Ed. ‘No Hiding Place’ could be another apt title. “MEN Speak the Unspeakable” is now up for the Plain English Award as well as the MIND Award.
If you fancy seeing Mickey and Ed read from their book and help support the Everyman Campaign, pop along to Jackson’s Lane Community Centre, 269 Archway Road, London N6 (Highgate tube) on Tuesday 13th December 2005, 7.30pm-9.30pm – take your friends and donate generously.