Debbie: Dreaming the Beatles—the Love Story of one Band and the Whole World (a literary criticism) by Rob Sheffield is the book that Gini and I chose to read and review this month. Our opinions differ greatly. I bookmarked and underlined so many passages my book looks as if it were on a battlefield.
Perhaps I am reviewing on emotion only and got caught up in all the lore I am now privy to. This book is so interesting to me. I loved it and all the thought-provoking information it provides me. I followed my husband around for days reading passages out loud so he, too, could ponder the life and after-life of the Beatles: “…the Beatles were the very first self-contained rock and roll band.”
I love wandering ideas about all sorts of things, and while that annoys Gini in the context of this book, it gives me food for thought - and think I did - about all things Beatles!
For instance, Sheffield has a whole chapter dedicated to “The Scream”. Have you ever thought about this: the Beatlemania girls remain the most famous screamers in history, even more than the teens who screamed for Elvis, the Bobbysoxers who swooned for Frank, or the Directioners who shrieked for Harry. Who would not want to contemplate a statement like that? That is dinner conversation at my house. Sheffield goes on with the chapter to support his statement and in subsequent chapters he brings much more to the table: “The Importance of Being Ringo, Beatles or Stones”, as well as, “Paul is a Concept by which we measure our own pain.” Titillating conversation all.
Granted, it is an opinion piece, but I like English 102 and nodding along with the instructor. One review states that Sheffield is writing for Beatles fanatics. Oh, my gosh! Am I a Beatles fanatic? The truth is, the scream was my first introduction to the Beatles. I watched along with a babysitter when I was seven years old and observed as she screamed along with the television. I have been intrigued for over 50 years now.
I found Sheffield’s writing appealing and easy to follow. He opened an outlet for my Beatle fascination - finally someone to ponder with. Dinner conversation for days! Do I have an open mind when it comes to disagreeing with any part this book? Probably not. But let me invite you to dinner - we’ll talk.
Gini: When I started the book I could not stop checking the bottom my iPhone to see how many pages remained. With choppy sentences, wandering ideas, and references that made little sense, I felt negative about reading it and then writing a positive note (for Debbie’s sake). Then suddenly, things clicked. Descriptions improved, songs became clearer, the Fab Four came to life, and I gained new knowledge. I remember seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, amazed at their music their antics, and astonished at this fresh and wild music creativity.
I read, then searched iTunes to play specific songs, reflected on Sheffield’s viewpoint, then forged on.
About a third through, however, I became exhausted. Repetitiveness and worship of the group, I questioned his background research and objectivity. As I plunged on, I started to feel that I was back in English 210 where the instructor’s interpretations counted and the rest of us were fools for not nodding in agreement. Now, had the author been manager Brian Epstein or producer George Martin, both of whom had ready access to practices and productions and had intimate relationships with the “lads” (how ostentatious!), credence to his analyses would have increased. The author reveals terrific speculation, but he discounts any other insight.
Near the end Sheffield writes, “Listening to music – it takes time. Human bodies respond to music over time in different ways, and that’s where the surprises are.” I absolutely agree – not only is there a bodily response, but mental and cognitive reactions, too, based on age, state of mind, and life’s experiences.
This suggests that my personal connections are equally as valuable as those of any other listener (including Sheffield). So yes, read this book – or scan the chapters which are handily listed by song title – and definitely think about your Beatle encounters. Even in 2022, their albums sell more than any other artists. With limited playing years and decades between then and now, this is impressive.
