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A review by deadhighwaybooks
A Perfect Union of Contrary Things by Maynard James Keenan
5.0
As a longtime fan of Maynard, I bought this book the day it was released, just like any other musical endeavor he’s done. I don’t always love every single thing he does, but I keep an open mind before listening or now reading, because with this man you honestly never know what to expect, and that is amazing in my eyes.
I’m here to give a fair rating of this book coming from an open mind, not a closed one like most of these reviewers seem to have.
This is a biography of the man, the myth, the legend, as we know it, Maynard. Opening this book for the second time, after getting half through it, I finally finished it. I didn’t expect anything from it. I honestly believe that this was written beautifully. From the first words printed on the page up until the last, I had a vivid picture painted in words of this mans life. It isn’t terribly detailed in day to day life like some other biographies do, but just keeps the work flowing enough to turn the page and wonder what way the subject will turn next. If you think about it, this is true Maynard fashion. In certain parts of this work, specifically when the author(s) wrote about a child in the back of a car watching his father grow smaller and smaller wondering “why”, I did tear up a bit. Another part as the book ends of a rather emotional 50th birthday celebration in tribute with people that helped shape his life, I could feel the love of the people celebrating. This book has this effect, if you open your mind and let it.
All throughout the book explains several life paths taken by Maynard, which also do explain how Tool ideas come to life. The military experience of lie, cheat, and steal shall not be tolerated (ring a bell?), how a certain earthquake creating disarray in his home and thinking about “fault lines and LA slipping into the Pacific” (also ringing any bells?), seeing the bill hicks connection with a certain song in mind...these are all Tool connections.
If you’re an overly crazed fan looking for answers, don’t bother reading this. You won’t get what you’re looking for. If you’re an open minded individual that has a curiosity about the subject, Maynard, do yourself a favor and pick this up. Give it a chance.
I’m here to give a fair rating of this book coming from an open mind, not a closed one like most of these reviewers seem to have.
This is a biography of the man, the myth, the legend, as we know it, Maynard. Opening this book for the second time, after getting half through it, I finally finished it. I didn’t expect anything from it. I honestly believe that this was written beautifully. From the first words printed on the page up until the last, I had a vivid picture painted in words of this mans life. It isn’t terribly detailed in day to day life like some other biographies do, but just keeps the work flowing enough to turn the page and wonder what way the subject will turn next. If you think about it, this is true Maynard fashion. In certain parts of this work, specifically when the author(s) wrote about a child in the back of a car watching his father grow smaller and smaller wondering “why”, I did tear up a bit. Another part as the book ends of a rather emotional 50th birthday celebration in tribute with people that helped shape his life, I could feel the love of the people celebrating. This book has this effect, if you open your mind and let it.
All throughout the book explains several life paths taken by Maynard, which also do explain how Tool ideas come to life. The military experience of lie, cheat, and steal shall not be tolerated (ring a bell?), how a certain earthquake creating disarray in his home and thinking about “fault lines and LA slipping into the Pacific” (also ringing any bells?), seeing the bill hicks connection with a certain song in mind...these are all Tool connections.
If you’re an overly crazed fan looking for answers, don’t bother reading this. You won’t get what you’re looking for. If you’re an open minded individual that has a curiosity about the subject, Maynard, do yourself a favor and pick this up. Give it a chance.