'Feel', the biography of Robbie Williams by Chris Heath, has just been published. In researching and writing 'Feel', Heath spent nearly two years working with Robbie Williams.
But, is this a biography? I have to admit to being confused. Looking through newswires and sites, I noticed that some refer to the book as a biography and others as an autobiography.
So I decided to look at the Amazon site and I found:
Feel: Robbie Williams ~ Chris Heath — (Hardcover - September 1, 2004)
and
Robbie Williams ~ Robbie Williams, Chris Heath — (Paperback - June 2, 2005).
Leaving to one side intuition, the logical conclusion is that there are two books - one is a hardback biography by Chris Heath, and the other is a paperback autobiography written by Robbie Williams in association with Chris Heath.
Those with more energy than me, might investigate further or perhaps just ring the publishers for clarification (who knows I might try this myself), but, whatever, it does raise critical questions about the respective values of biographies and autobiographies.
If I was writing an autobiography, even though I can be annoyingly self-deprecating at times, I can assure you that the book would put me in a positive light. Similarly, if my brother was to write a biography of me then I think and certainly hope that I'd come out well from that too. And I'd also think that if I had an authorised biography where the writer had access to my diaries and papers that the book would not be too damning.
On that last point I might be wrong:
In an article in The Guardian (31 August 2002), JDF Jones poses this question: "What is he[the biographer] to do if he discovers that it [the truth]is anathema to the family that commissioned him?". Jones continues: "Is he to abandon the book - the thought occured to me more than once - since he certainly cannot suppress or delete the facts he had unearthed?"
Article comments
1 - annie
Hi...bit of a strange request any chance you could fix it for me to take robbie out for a coffee??
from one lovely 30yr old...im great its very cheeky but hey if you dont ask you dont get....
2 - Lesley Larkin
I work for Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council located in Greater Manchester & recently Robbie Williams had some publicity in our local newspaper. I work for the Councillors and would like to put my home town of Dukinfield on the map. I am writing in the hope of finding an email address of anyone would who kindly pass the information on to Robbie Williams. Its quite a sad story, which actually ruined someones wedding, & I would like some comments from Robbie regarding the issue as it concerns his song Angels.
3 - Jo
Please could you let me know how to email Robbie direct (or at least through his 'people' please?
Thanks,
Joanne
4 - loftas
I am writting to because we are expecting a baby girl. My baby girl really loves your wounderfully music. What ever you sing it will move about in my wifes stomuch. Even when you are on the radio our baby will almost dance to his music.
Love you
Kate and Alek
5 - Nia Wind
On my back i´m leaving you.
feeling it monday morning...
feeling for morning thruth...
The book was written, so this must be enough.
Or?
NW
6 - kay prince
enjoy your music, very honest, moving and brave. well done