I am biased when I say this book is a five. I enjoy the music of Queen. I do not have a lot of knowledge about them (I know Freddie Mercury is a stage name, he was born in Zanzibar, he was flamboyant, he had a talent that few have been able to copy), but I do consider myself a fan. Therefore, when
Queen: The Unauthorized Biography (Band Records 4) by Soledad Romero Marino is an introduction to Freddie Mercury and the career Queen without all the “drama” of what they went through. This long picture book would be great for a music classroom setting. It could also work for the adult who likes the band if you need a quirky, different gift.
It is the art of Laura Castello that might surprise you. It is hard to explain, the cover does not do it justice. It has the details needed, the text painted onto some of them, on the side or someplace to highlight a comment or fact that is needed. The colors might not be what is expected for a band as bold as they were, or at least, their lead singer was; but it is perfectly paired with the text. They are images to enjoy on their own and along with the story.
And while I am not a fan of these bands, included in the series are Depeche Mode, Ramones and Metallica. If they are as half as good as Queen then they would be worth the read. The use of an introduction to the world of the band is a good way to learn about them without getting bogged down in details you might not want.
For all ages, but not for the very young who do not have the attention span for a long read.
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