DERYCK WHIBLEY – WALKING DISASTER: MY LIFE THROUGH HEAVEN AND HELL
GALLERY BOOKS
BOOK REVIEW BY JOHN PORTER
It was something of a surprise when now-former Sum 41 band leader Deryck Whibley announced he was picking up the pen to write his life story, but that’s not the last or the biggest surprise that Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell reveals over its easily-read 250 pages.
It’s a warts-and-all account of his trials and tribulations, and while some of the more salacious reveals have been picked up and blown up by every media source available, digging deeper reveals an interesting, engaging read. Even from explaining his childhood and upbringing, some stories are hilarious, some sad, and some outright shocking, while Whibley is as frank as it gets. His entertaining writing style seems to perfectly match his public persona for the last 20 years – honest, shooting from the lip, and where possible, adding humour. That keeps the reader engaged throughout and builds up goodwill from them as well – which ends up being much-needed, given that some pretty dark topics, from coercive abuse to drug addiction, are covered.
In the hands of some authors this could become a much too heavy read, but Whibley navigates it skilfully, if not necessarily deftly. By the time we reach the end of his story, it feels as though we’ve been on the journey with him, and it’s one of pathos, sadness, and fun, and leaves the reader with a strangely uplifting message. As musician memoirs go, this is one of the most honest and engaging out there.
ISBN-10: 166804501X
ISBN-13: 978-1668045015
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