Review: Me & U2: their music, my life
@U2,
September 06, 2009
By: Lisa Zeitlinger
Many books have been written about U2. We have heard the story of their music and their lives from people in the music business and even the band members themselves. Your choices are endless.
I would like to tell you a little bit about a different kind of U2 book. It is called Me & U2: their music, my life written by one of our very own @U2 forum members, Cathal McCarron.
What makes Cathal's book different is the subject. This book is about Cathal's life, not U2's. His love for U2 and their music is woven into each chapter. Each phase of his life serves as a stage, while U2's releases and performances provide the musical score to each act of the play. We learn a lot about U2's music and Cathal's love for the band throughout the book.
Cathal starts in the early years in Derry, Northern Ireland. As one of seven children, he paints a wonderful picture of what it was like to be a part of a large Irish family in the late '70s / early '80s. His group of best friends called "muckers" is especially humorous. What stands out to me is Cathal's descriptions of what life was like in Northern Ireland during "The Troubles." The reader can feel the impact these events had on him and those around him during the time U2 was starting out as a new band.
When he touches on memories of his mother, the author allows himself to express the emotions of past times and present memories. It's a very touching part of the book, reminiscent of Bono's memories of his own mother, which play a large role in U2's music.
Cathal continues to take us on a journey where he goes to university in Wales and then on to London where he takes a job as a teacher. U2's music continues to play an important role throughout these chapters, though the pace slows in the later section. Some more editing would smooth out rough spots.
Me & U2 ends right where we are now: in the middle of U2's 360 Tour. Cathal has taken time off from teaching to promote his book as he travels the world following his (our) band!
As U2 fans, we are indeed very privileged. We all love a band that is known for their great music as much as being wonderful men who truly love their fans. U2 fans are a unique group as well. Their music brings us together, but it is the kindness and generosity of the people themselves that touch each others' lives. It is a community of friendships that endure well beyond the albums and tours. Cathal is one of those special fans. We are fortunate that he decided to share his unique story. Reflecting on our own lives, I am quite sure U2 would play a large part in our own stories.
For the U2 fan who has read everything under the sun about the band, Me & U2: their music, my life takes a common subject and allows us to explore it from an uncommon view. Whether this book connects with you may depend on whether you connect with Cathal. If you are open to meeting a new friend, it's very possible you could find one within these pages.
If you would like to meet Cathal and purchase a copy of his book, he'll be at the U2 Conference in Durham, North Carolina,
October 2-4, 2009. You can learn more about the book at meandu2.net.
© @U2/Zeitlinger, 2009.
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