Rather than write my normal column this time, I am going to reprint a post I sent today to ABBAMAIL, the internet mailing list about Bright Lights, Dark Shadows. Once you have the book yourself, you can make up your own mind - my mind is in hospital for a checkup at the moment. Things will never be the same! "Hello, Hello! I'd like to ask that the people that get their books first (ie. if you order from Dymocks on-line) to consider submitting a detailed review of Bright Lights, Dark Shadows once you have read it. Let's read a bit more than 'it was really good'. Some indepth analysis would be much appreciated. We have some good writers/reviewers out there. In the last week I have been half way through writing posts to ABBAMAIL about the book and then deleted them. Both times I've been in a particular frame of mind caused by the book which would have meant a rather crazed commentary. I don't think I'm the best person to do an indepth review. I can only say that since I began reading the book I've experienced about every emotion there is. It started out with tears then went to depression and anger, back to tears, some happiness and then more depression, some joy and pride and then a feeling of sheer hopelessness. A total rollercoaster of emotions. Bright Lights Dark Shadows has pushed about every emotional button I have. I am wondering if this is just me or whether it will be the same for other long term fans. We're talking about a significant part of my life - some 27 years of being an ABBA fan. How can I not buy into this stuff emotionally? There is so much in there that I didn't know, so much I couldn't have ever imagined. I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about all things ABBA. Not so, not so. I knew nothing. Perhaps what I meant was that I was pretty comfortable in my view of the ABBA world, had come to terms with things in my own way. Now everything is thrown upside down. The comfort zone is gone. There's a scene and the end of the movie 'Torch Song Trilogy' where the lead character sits on a chair, alone, hugging some momentos of the people most important in his life. It is an image that came to my mind whilst reading the book. I feel like grabbing some ABBA records, pictures and merchandise and just hiding in my room looking at them for a while. BLDS just kind of makes every other thing written about ABBA instantly redundant. I suppose one thing that makes me feed good is that, no matter what happens in the future, there will always be this permanent document about the real history of ABBA. Finally, the real book about ABBA. I guess sleep deprivation doesn't help. I try to go to bed early and put the book down at a reasonable hour but I can't. Just one more page, just one more chapter, just one more 'oh fuck!!!!!'. Next thing I know it's 2am and I have to be up for work in a few hours. I'll get you for this Carl Magnus Palm!!!!!" Graeme At My Desk Feedback:
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