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  #76  
Old 30-01-2019, 02:42
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Delayed? Last minute legal checks? Editing seems to have gone out the window these days so maybe...Forever delayed??

I did some sleuthing around the site at silly a.m. trying to work out what name she had posted under ....could’ve just saved it till less silly a.m.

Her posts do seem in hindsight to be a lot of fact checking/source searching for her book and some serious spite towards the remaining members of the band who were his friends from childhood....something which seems to have slipped past her. It seems reasonable to assume that none of the band were asked if they would like to be interviewed for the book? Which suggests she didn’t approach the book with the objectivity , open-mindedness and curiosity you would expect a biographer to have

I was disappointed to come across her posts here because The Times review had really whetted my appetite. Drawing on the Wales Online piece Rachel Edwards has not just provided a foreword she’s provided access to Richey’s personal archive and of course their family history. Also, drawing on that piece, access to many people Richey knew but are not maybe known of outside his circle and interestingly who wouldn’t speak without Rachel’s approval. Sometimes, according to the author, without being alongside Rachel when they were interviewed. It is an interesting juxtaposition of writing a biography when your subject is no longer around but their immediate family and friends are. A biographer wants and needs access to those who were closest and likely their permission to see any private papers and materials but it’s a difficult position because you can blind your objectivity if you feel beholden or if you become close friends...maybe more if you become friends? I don’t mean the writer is necessarily manipulated/controlled but I think she may have lost her objectivity in that closeness. She should of course have listened to Rachel Edward’s opinions on the band, distinguishing as well maybe between her feelings about ‘the band’ as possibly being distinct from the individuals within it but kept her own opinions out...it’s not your story you’re telling...Focus on the book as biography and exploration of what may have happened . Maybe it needed a more experienced writer/journalist?
Maybe Rachel felt she needed a friend to write it. You can see it’s hard though as it gives over your control. I can see why she’d be so fiercely controlling over who has access to his archives, who they get to talk to, wanting her brother’s memory to be reflected in the book but a writer can’t do that if they get too close. The portrait risks still being seen through a glass darkly albeit a different glass so to clumsily speak

I wouldn’t link her views on the band to those of SHR as expressed here on the forum. The Times review said Rachel Edward’s anger at the band was hard to understand but in the few interviews she’s given she’s never expressed her unease with them in any way that reflects the postings on here by SHR....again tie yourself too closely to someone’s (Rachel’s) corner doesn’t mean you get the green card to trample over people’s feelings. This is where the loss of objectivity comes in again I feel.
Drawing from what she clearly has said Rachel Edwards wanted the book to tell her brother’s full story and not the one of tragic rock star and to maybe lay out his archive in front of fresh eyes. (I wonder if she ever feels anger or feels able to say so? I think I would and not feeling able to say so would have all kinds of effects ....none good). To re-visit and see if there are missed clues, to get some discussion going because not knowing is unbearable clearly. Therefore the writer slagging the band is a distraction because as seen here that ends up being the story instead of looking again at what may have happened

I don’t think the title referring to Richey Manic or the cover is a problem in my wee umble. The picture on the jacket I’ve seen is just of his face and not the wounded chest and as for ‘Richey Manic’ – the cover is the rock star – you read the book to find the man....I like that. Here’s the image now read on for it to be contradicted

I will still read it (take one for the teamin spite of realising the perspective will be skewered. I’m hoping there will be some insight into the police procedure at the time. If ‘procedure’ is the right word. I remember an interview with Rachel Edwards talking about the police searching the family home not long after he’d been reported missing and her impression that in the immediate aftermath there seemed the belief that it was all a ‘stunt’ the family were in on for publicity for the band (You can see why she’s had it with the rock star image... and why that may have felt more hindrance than help)
Also hoping for more insight into the handling of his case with regards to his mental state and what if any help was available to him prior to his disappearance. I know obviously that he went into hospital following what this book appears to finally confirm to be a suicide attempt but it didn’t seem to provide much help nor support....I’m not sure a great deal has changed over the years but to me it seemed to be the fact that he was vulnerable and in need of help, like many others I’m sure, that got overlooked in the story of his disappearance and maybe took too much of the attention away from the shoddy state of mental health services and of the police response. Maybe some wider context would be interesting into how approaches have changed if they have changed over the years since but I don't think this is the book to explore that

I’m hoping the book will further explore the few facts that are known regarding the few months and days prior to his disappearance though they seem few and tentative. The ‘Vivian’ mystery seems insubstantial unless the book can explain how they know she existed – hotel reception could have confirmed if so we have a good fact – how the hell anyone knows what was said in the room between them? Unless of course that’s from a police statement at the time. Another good fact. What seems ridiculous might make more sense in the book.
The postman on the bridge is another of those...just enough there to be credible but lacking in detail you can independently verify. He says he did report it to the nightwatchman but has no idea if it was logged/followed up on. If it was the early hours of Feb 1st it would fit but again why didn’t he call the police once the press attention followed 2 weeks on? Would night security not have done anything? It was a known suicide spot? What would happen in a similar situation today? He can’t have jumped that night though as it doesn’t fit with the evidence from his car so...just one of those if only someone could have spoken to him maybe things would have panned out differently but
The kibbutz idea doesn’t sound that way out. He may have played with such an idea. He seemed to be looking to a future in his last interview and aspects of the kibbutz would surely have chimed with his political views but where’s the evidence? And he would have needed his passport. The notion of one of the writers popping in for a haircut and the hairdresser saying ‘Course he’s joined a kibbutz!’ makes me suspect I’ll need vodka

I worry they’ll have thrown every theory into the book and it will be so tangled the only discussion that will bob up will be more crackpot theories rather than anything sensible emerging. If it just left you with a better understanding of the issues concerning missing people and their families that would be something especially around mental health support and other available support and the practical procedures for families left behind

Silly a.m. again...
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  #77  
Old 30-01-2019, 07:08
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I’m going to hazard a guess that Leon Noakes is the ghost writer for all this...
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  #78  
Old 30-01-2019, 13:59
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I’m going to read it. Mostly for the apparent archival content and perhaps some new pictures.
Reading through this thread though has left a sour taste in my mouth about giving SHR my money after finding out she’s the one behind the book...
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  #79  
Old 30-01-2019, 15:07
Bryter Layter Bryter Layter is offline
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Richeysite/Vivian: thanks so much for confirming it was you as well as sending the email request you had from them. I find it hilarious that she mentions the run around you’ve gotten from others seeking info on Richey and then goes and does the same herself. Lol!

Anway, so sorry to hear about your illness. Very glad to hear you’re on the mend though. x

Raven: one of the authors, Leon Noakes, confirmed on FB that the book was delayed because they had to take a portion of the book out. He’s downplaying it saying that it’s a minor change, but are the publishers going to scrap all those books that have already been printed because of a minor revision? Sounds suspect to me.

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Originally Posted by Routine Builder View Post
I’m going to hazard a guess that Leon Noakes is the ghost writer for all this...
Lol! Probably.

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Originally Posted by Chriss View Post
I’m going to read it. Mostly for the apparent archival content and perhaps some new pictures.
Reading through this thread though has left a sour taste in my mouth about giving SHR my money after finding out she’s the one behind the book...
Same for me on both accounts.
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  #80  
Old 30-01-2019, 15:50
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Totally agree.

I totally understand if people hate what I'm about to write but this has really got to me. I won't read this book. Over the past two days I've become increasingly pissed off with what's been publicised and written. I know I've not read the book but from what has been written via Wales Online and The Sunday Times there doesn't seem to be much new evidence of anything. I get that Rachel is still grieving and frustrated and angry. God knows we all would be but it's her decision again to produce a book that just reinforces the "stereotypical" tortured rock star image of Richey. If she want to reclaim her brother this is not the way to do it. Too many people will simply focus on the sensational stuff-the anorexia, the drinking, the cutting and self harm, the psychological and mental health issues and then the way the book appears to push the idea that he was obsessive about disappearing. The front cover even seems to have been chosen to show the eternal "rock-star" image. If she'd wanted to reclaim him as her brother she should have used a different image.
That said, what has got to me most has been the issue she seems to have with James, Sean and Nicky. The Times article states she is angry with the band and it's hardly hidden. What the hell has she got to be angry with them for? They have acted with dignity and love from the moment Richey left. They still don't know the truth and have suffered just as much. Perhaps she should have considered that. They've clearly not been involved in this and you can't imagine them issuing any kind of reply or statement. It will inevitably hurt them for all sorts of reasons. It's been an incredibly tough 18 months for the boys and Nicky particularly, I wonder if Rachel ever considered that when she was involved in this and particularly with the press articles surrounding the book release? Mourning for a loved one brings back all those feelings of loss you've experienced before, I feel for Nicky so much. It must feel like a smack in the face.
I hate exploitative journalism and this feels so much like that. The release date coincides with Richey's disappearance, the press focussing on the mythology, which Rachel claims to want to avoid, the cover photo, publicly expressing anger at the band and raising the issue that Richey didn't like them or get on with them before his disappearance.... I could go on.
Wherever and however he is, I hope he's found peace. If he is out there living a quiet, happy life this won't help him either. Let things be, rakeing over details, myths and whatever's won't help anyone; least of all Rachel. Some things need to be left well alone; this is one of them.

I couldn’t agree more, spot on mate.

Personally, I’ve always hoped that Richey is dead because if he’s still alive then he’s spent all these years putting his family and friends through the hell of not knowing, which makes him a selfish bastard. That won’t be a popular opinion around here, I know...
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Last edited by Mr Richey; 30-01-2019 at 16:01.
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  #81  
Old 30-01-2019, 16:14
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Originally Posted by Bryter Layter View Post
Raven: one of the authors, Leon Noakes, confirmed on FB that the book was delayed because they had to take a portion of the book out. He’s downplaying it saying that it’s a minor change, but are the publishers going to scrap all those books that have already been printed because of a minor revision? Sounds suspect to me.

.
Those redacted pages in full:
"And then Richey came up with a one state solution to the Middle East process but James Dean Bradfield, who is an idiot, laughed at him. But Richey showed him he was wrong because he was the best! Look, there's a squiggle in a Nursery textbook Richey had that clearly shows his genius that was untouched and everyone who disagrees with me is stupid! They just ARE!" (Continues for pages and pages)

And Richeysite, very sorry to hear of your ailments. Hope you have many years left and things get under control for you.
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  #82  
Old 30-01-2019, 18:12
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Those redacted pages in full:
"And then Richey came up with a one state solution to the Middle East process but James Dean Bradfield, who is an idiot, laughed at him..."

"...and arranged a Mossad hit on Richey. The end."

There, I thought that might be more in keeping with the grudge SHR seems to have against JDB in particular.
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  #83  
Old 30-01-2019, 18:13
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No idea of the validity of this (so don’t shoot the messenger if it’s bollocks), but if true it could explain why the book has been delayed: https://twitter.com/LauMorgan/status...084973569?s=20
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  #84  
Old 30-01-2019, 18:35
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(I also didn't reply because I've been battling a serious disease since last Spring and I was living in a nursing home when he wrote. I think fighting for my life is more important than Richey or talking to media about him.)
I hope your health improves, all the best.

I have nothing much to add about the book, I just find the whole thing sad really, for everyone, in numerous ways.
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Last edited by Porco; 31-01-2019 at 15:46.
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  #85  
Old 30-01-2019, 19:08
Bryter Layter Bryter Layter is offline
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Originally Posted by Abstract Unknown Girl View Post
No idea of the validity of this (so don’t shoot the messenger if it’s bollocks), but if true it could explain why the book has been delayed: https://twitter.com/LauMorgan/status...084973569?s=20
Regardless of its accuracy, it sounds plausible and I respect them for doing that.

Thanks for posting!

Aaron, you’re hilarious! Ha!
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  #86  
Old 30-01-2019, 19:26
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No idea of the validity of this (so don’t shoot the messenger if it’s bollocks), but if true it could explain why the book has been delayed: https://twitter.com/LauMorgan/status...084973569?s=20

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  #87  
Old 30-01-2019, 19:52
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No idea of the validity of this (so don’t shoot the messenger if it’s bollocks), but if true it could explain why the book has been delayed: https://twitter.com/LauMorgan/status...084973569?s=20
Definitely not buying this then .. I'll go to one of the bigger bookshops .. find a chair read it cover to cover then put it back
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  #88  
Old 30-01-2019, 20:24
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A B is a fail now isn't it? It's all about how many A*s you can get
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  #89  
Old 30-01-2019, 21:45
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What did the tweet say? It's been deleted.
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  #90  
Old 30-01-2019, 21:50
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Originally Posted by Bryter Layter View Post
Raven: one of the authors, Leon Noakes, confirmed on FB that the book was delayed because they had to take a portion of the book out. He’s downplaying it saying that it’s a minor change, but are the publishers going to scrap all those books that have already been printed because of a minor revision? Sounds suspect to me.
It's more common than you'd think. They've cut back so much on editing it's not unusual to see biographies delayed at the last minute. It might well be a small portion but no doubt that small portion may otherwise have landed them in the courts. I don't think the book had been distributed beyond reviewers as yet which may account for the small fortnight only delay. I don't think she has much experience. Nor the ghost Leon Noakes It's a shame as I'm sure there are good music journalists out there who would have been interested in taking this project on and offered Rachel a more experienced pair of hands

It will be a shame if all this ends up hurting those closest to Richey, Rachel and the remaining band members, more than it helps

(The tweet referred to band and court allegedly...can I get away with that? I put in allegedly I don't believe it was true which is why it's vamooshed. Interestingly the book's own website Withdrawn Traces has ironically had all trace withdrawn which did make me giggle)
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"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more," - Byron

'I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.' (from Sea Fever - John Masefield)


"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all" - Emily Dickinson

Last edited by raven; 30-01-2019 at 21:54.
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