For those outside the UK who don't know who Will Young is, this book isn't for you. He is a singer and actor who won Britain's first Pop Idol competition in 2001, which turned into American Idol for the US. After that, he wrote a book about the experience called Anything Is Possible.
He has had five number one albums, with almost all his singles hitting number one, and sold millions of records. His debut single alone was the fastest selling in UK history and the best selling debut of the decade.
In Funny Peculiar, Will talks about his horrible school days, and going to an arts college before auditioning for and winning Idol. At 22, he was suddenly being offered West-End musicals and touring with a number one record. Stories after that include cutting records and doing publicity, dealing with fame and coming out. Ten years ago he came out as a gay man when it wasn't accepted or cool to do so. Bonus points for that. With cartoon illustrations throughout, it's extremely light reading - there is not a lot there (and I am a fan). I was in England when he won, and found stories about fellow singers Darius and Gareth Gates interesting - even Lee Ryan (whose self titled cd is one of my all time favourites, he should have made it big). Over the 15 years since, Will has been nominated for 12 BRIT awards and acted in movies and on the stage (nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in Cabaret, 2013). The book does peter out into stories about holiday travel and going to parties at the Beckham's, so this is not a keeper, but he is a well-rounded and talented performer.
Of little interest if you are not a fan - it was too light for me and I am the market for this book. Still, I admire his career, and I continue to buy his cd's, and this did little to change that one way or the other.
2012 / Hardcover / 277 pages
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