The Long Hard Road Out of Hell

I’ve been a fan of Manson since I was young. I saw him live in Houston when I was 14. I actually read this book in middle school (which I had absolutely no business doing) but obviously can’t remember anything as I couldn’t comprehend it at such a young age. I’m 23 now and finished this book in a day. I knew going in that it would be, as his entire life and career has been, controversial. There were definitely a few moments that left me repulsed and kind of shifted my thoughts towards him. However, it has been proven that this book is HIGHLY exaggerated and most of the outrageous stories and statements are not true. Manson is incredibly intelligent and articulate and most of this read was very interesting, philosophical, and informative. It showcases not only the highs, but the very lows of his personal life and the beginning of his career. It was occasionally humorous, almost always dark, and featured many different types of art, poems, and even interviews. It was one of his short stories that actually bothered me the most. I would love for him to write another book, as no doubt this was published through the lens of his drug addicted youth where a lot of mistakes were made, but again, a lot has been fabricated. Not to say he didn’t screw up his life later down the line either, but it seems currently, in 2024, he has sobered up and is doing much better. I actually adore his most recent single. I’d love to read more from him. The one thing I didn’t enjoy was how abruptly this book ended. I definitely preferred the first half discussing his childhood into college and meeting the spooky kids versus the vile recollections of his time spent on two tours, with Trent Reznor, and finishing with the procrastinated release of Antichrist superstar. Overall, a fantastic read with just a few very questionable scenes that were no doubt exaggerated or falsified. His touring with Reznor was fueled by heavy drug use, accompanying his already immoral character but that was just simply my least favorite section. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it.

Marilyn Manson will always remind me of that deep well of imaginative, fantastical nonsense that is the collective mind of christian fundamentalists. As someone born in the early 90's, he was the guy the older kids were warned about by the well-meaning-if-zealously-nonsensical spokespeople of my various local congregations. Warnings that filtered down to us. He sacrifices animals onstage Made a pact with the devil Worst of all; he is a homosexual Presumably all stuff they said about Black Sabbath in the 70's and Motley Crue in the 80's. Gun's and Roses in the early 90's. Sinatra in the 50's. And it will probably never end Anyways, now for the review: Brian Werner (birth name) was born and raised in a small town in Ohio. It seems like from an early age his life was filled with the disgusting and obscene. Central to this book are themes of unbleonging, anti-social anger, social disgust, filth, and the character of Werner's grandfather; an off-putting, strange old man with perverse, obscene habits indulged in from his filthy basement. The story arch is not really a personal one, despite the tital, because Manson barely changes his personality beyond the 3rd chapter, but really it is the story of his rising from a hated freak on a local level, to a hated freak on the international stage. The book is vulgar, as you'd expect, but if i'm reading a rock star's biography its just what i would expect. What did put me off was how gross everything was. Piss, blood and vomit make an appearance every few pages. A girl smokes old ground up bones from a bong. Manson picks up a broken beer bottle and cuts his chest open. Werner's grandfather jacks off unknowingly in front of his 13 year old grandkid. Manson himself is not a pretty sight to see. This man is obsessed with filth. Manson is profoundly arrogant, like most people who enter being hated and self-hating are, and this book is filled with his various judgments and insights. Christians do not come off well; neither do Americans. Moralizers come off immoral. Manson is hyper sensitive to such hypocrisy. The most prominant celeb featured in Trent Reznor, who signed Manson and was there for his mainstream breakout. Traci Lords and Jemma Jameson both make appearences, as well as Courtney Love, and Connan O'Brian. But most of the chacters are personal friends, acquaintances, enemies. And as you'll notice from the heading, Neil Strauss was "involved" with the writing, making the prose superb. Overall, an excellent rock bio, excellent peice of writing, and fascinating story. His unique story makes this a worthwhile read even to those who would never listen to his industrial garbage-pop.

The best book for those who love Mr. Manson. Like I do!

I am not a fan of Marilyn Manson, nor do I subscribe to his preferred lifestyle and beliefs. However, I came across this book on recommendation by a trusted friend. The cover alone almost scared me away. Regardless, I pushed on and only a few pages in, I couldn't put the book down. It was not only one of the BEST rock star biographies that I have ever read but one of the BEST books I've read PERIOD (and I read a lot of books). Intelligent, heartbreaking, inspiring, and overall entertaining. A must read!

Very entertaining & dark

Read it only if u know what rock is about

Brilliant from start to finish , most people are quick to judge that which they don’t know . To those people pick this book up , an intriguing read and compelling insight to the enigma and person that is Marilyn Manson .