Member Reviews
Autobiographic, Sinéad O'Connor: The Last Interview and Other Conversations (2024) by Melville House is a collection of her interviews between 1987 and 2021. The famous pop singer with the shorn hair and doc martin boots, was a Grammy Award winning artist, creator of diverse music genre albums and human rights advocate and activist. Best known for her huge 1990 hit single 'Nothing Compares to You', Sinéad’s life was not without controversary, raising her children on her own and struggling with the demons of mental health. Her death at fifty-six years of age, was preceded by her eldest son’s tragic death just over a year earlier. This book is an interesting prism into the life of Sinéad O'Connor through the years, with various magazines and journalists (a list of them is provided in the appendix) discussing a variety of topics regarding Sinéad’s own worldview. An inspirational read, as Sinéad reveals in her own words, her story, life, music, views and why she did what she did. A must-read book with five stars rating, that provides a valuable insight into Sinéad O'Connor, an incredible if troubled soul. With thanks to Melville House Publishing for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.
"Sinead O'Connor: The Last Interview and Other Conversations"
Thanks to NetGalley and Melville House for permission to read this work prior to its publication date.
I read O'Connor's memoir earlier this year and found it deeply affecting. The interviews compiled in this work are no different. The only controversial thing about Sinead O'Connor is that she said what she believed in consistently throughout her career without compromising herself. In a world of politicians saying things and spinning them, fake apologies from influencers and all around BS being spewed from every direction, it means so much to be a person that is true to your beliefs and true to your word. This is an inspirational read and I just wish it had pictures of Sinead, as she was as gorgeous as she was truthful.
Unfortunately I couldn't review this book because it was in a pdf format and that doesn't work well on my e-reader.
If you're a fan, this book is for you! It was a quick read, and shared a variety of interviews from the artist. I really enjoyed it!
Completely mistitled, this is a collection of 9 mostly interesting and insightful interviews from across her career. I have no idea if her last interview was on The View but I hope not. (And the cover is awful!)
I’ve always loved Sinead O’Connor, but I’ve never read any interviews. It was so interesting hearing what she had to say about events and her career.
I give the book 4.5 stars. I received a free ebook in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. I am a gen x er. I remember growing up with SineayO Connor. I really liked the artist. Yes, I remember some of the controversy's.
I finished the book in less than 2 days. It is very easy to read. The book is full of her interviews. A lot of the interviews are written as dialogue.
The interviews are so interesting. She was a head of her time. The book is a compilation of the interviews. It feels strange reviewing the book.
Sinead talks about mental health, feminism, gratitude, motherhood, religion, reproductive rights, beauty, and more. Sinead wasn't like other celebrities. She was tough and fragile.
I am very thankful to Netgalley and the author of this book. Now, I really want to read more on Sinead o Connor.
Sinéad O'Connor: The Last Interview and Other Conversations is a compelling collection that chronicles the life, career, and enduring legacy of one of music's most provocative and fearless voices. Curated by Melville House, this volume spans decades of interviews, offering readers a rare glimpse into the mind of Sinéad O'Connor—a woman whose artistry was as bold as her public persona.
The collection begins with O'Connor as a fresh-faced teenager on the cusp of stardom, showcasing her early passion for music and her unapologetic attitude toward fame. These interviews are a fascinating contrast to the latter part of the book, where O'Connor's reflections become more introspective, focusing on her spirituality, her role as a mother, and her lifelong battle with the public's perception of her. One of the collection's highlights is the opening essay by Kristin Hersh, which recounts a chance meeting between the two artists in 2005. This essay sets the tone for a book that is both intimate and deeply human, capturing the complexities of O'Connor's personality.
The interviews selected for this collection are a testament to O'Connor's ever-evolving narrative. Her infamous 1992 appearance on Saturday Night Live, where she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II, is dissected from various angles, revealing the motivations behind her protest and the subsequent fallout. Yet, as readers journey through the years, they witness a shift in O'Connor's focus—from the fierce defiance of her early years to the profound spirituality that defined her later life. The contrast between these phases is striking and highlights the multifaceted nature of her identity.
Its raw and unfiltered approach makes Sinéad O'Connor: The Last Interview and Other Conversations particularly powerful. O'Connor's unwavering and authentic voice comes through clearly in each conversation. This collection is not merely a retrospective but a celebration of an artist who dared to speak her truth, no matter the cost. It is a must-read for fans of O'Connor, offering a richer understanding of her life and the legacy she leaves behind.
This is an evocative tribute to a woman who redefined what it meant to be an artist and an activist. While it may not be comfortable reading at times—reflecting the turbulence of O'Connor's life—it is a vital record of her journey. For those who admired her music and her courage, Sinéad O'Connor: The Last Interview and Other Conversations is an essential addition to their collection.
In Sinéad O’Connor: The Last Interview, we are offered a compact but in depth aggregation of interviews with O’Connor spanning different eras of her life and work. All of the obvious topics are covered: the SNL protest, her hair, her spirituality. The interviews range from 1986-2021 and O’Connor contradicts herself from one to the other, as is her right. Her earlier interviews are more intense and career-focused, while the ones nearing the end of her life have her discussing her connection to God (always God, never religion) and detail her life as a mother. These are my favorite as they show a tenderness to O’Connor that wasn’t really usually afforded her in mainstream media. As a fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this collection, especially the opening essay by Kristin Hersh, detailing a night in 2005 where she and O’Connor were brought together at some event they didn’t seem to want to be at and “chatted like women on a bus.” I have to admit I hated that the book ends with an interview Sinéad did on The View. I understand it was necessary due to chronology but think it makes the collection end on a dud note. Sinéad O’Connor: The Last Interview and Other Conversations is brimming with thoughtful and sometimes rambling insights that the inclusion of a daytime talk show interview felt like a disservice to her legacy. The hosts are respectful and compassionate but don’t offer much other than surface level commentary and questions. The interviews by Deirdre Mulrooney, Nicholas Jennings, Jody Denberg, and Bob Guuccione, Jr., offer a more deep, warm, and introspective look at such a staunchly independent and iconoclastic artist.
Series of interviews with Sinead in chronological order. Interesting, and heart-breaking. What a talent! Thank you to # NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.
As a fan of Sinead O'Connor's music ever since her first album dropped, I was heartbroken to hear that she passed away so young. It's so awesome that the Last Interview series chose to put together a book of her interviews. That said, if you've followed Sinead O'Connor at all over the many years, even vaguely, you know that she's not always coming across as the most stable or sympathetic person and that definitely is the case in these interviews, unfortunately. But that's one-hundred percent her so I appreciate that they didn't try to edit anything and turn her into someone else. It's an interesting read, although uncomfortable at times.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review the ARC of this book.
Sinéad O'Connor: The Last Interview and Other Conversations by Melville House.
A gripping compilation of interviews spans years and years of her life, hows the mind and mindset of this outstanding artist. Her haunted soul, the tragic circunstances of her death and abova all else, the love for her music and her son.
A gripping raw and gritty read.