Gordon Burn se zabýval tématy moderní slávy, zaniklé celebrity a života skrze optiku médií. Jeho literární díla, ať už fiktivní nebo non-fiction, často zkoumala temnější stránky lidské povahy, zejména v kontextech sportu a skutečných zločinů. S oblibou se zaměřoval na osudy notoricky známých osobností a ikon, analyzoval jejich vzestupy i pády a vliv mediálního obrazu na jejich životy. Jeho styl je charakteristický pronikavým vhledem do psychologie a společnosti.
It seemed the case of the notorious Yorkshire Ripper was finally closed when
Peter Sutcliffe was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1981. But in the early
1980s, Gordon Burn spent three years living in Sutcliffe's home town of
Bingley, researching his life.
The protagonist grapples with his role as a reporter covering a string of horrific murders and sex crimes. As he delves deeper into the stories, he begins to question whether he is merely an observer or if he is entangled in a more complex web of cause and effect, leading him to confront unsettling truths about his own involvement.
Duncan Edwards played his first game for Manchester United at the age of
fifteen and Walter Winterbottom, then England manager, called him 'the spirit
of British football'. Then in February 1958 came Munich. Half a decade later
George Best represented United reborn. 'El Beatle' of the European Cup in '68
and European Player of the Year;
In this controversial and seminal work of reportage, Gordon Burn reveals the strange inner dynamic of Fred and Rosemary West's relationship. Based on meticulous research, this dark history is told in a powerful, compelling narrative. With a new introduction by Benjamin Myers.
In one corner was Barry Hearn and his Romford Mafia - Davis, Taylor and
Griffiths - and in the other were the bad boys - Higgins, White and Knowles -
threatening the game's good name, and its earning potential.
In a forensic dissection of Britain's souring landscape Gordon Burn tells the tale of Ray Cruddas, a light entertainer effecting a semi-dignified retreat from his fading career, who returns to the unnamed northern town of his youth.'Burn carves a tale of mutual dependence between two also-rans - Ray, once a successful Geordie comedian, and Jackie, an almost made-it boxer . . . It is a book about ageing, about the long haul between what you hoped your life might be and the acceptance of what it is - and about the loneliness of men.' Anna Raeburn, Jewish Chronicle
Damien Hirst is a highly controversial and influential artist, known for redefining modern art through provocative works and exhibitions. His installations, featuring a shark and animals preserved in formaldehyde, have made him a household name. In this candid autobiography, presented as a series of conversations, Hirst shares his unpredictable and often humorous insights on topics ranging from art and celebrity to sex. These intimate discussions are complemented by artwork from various stages of his career, all selected by Hirst himself.
The book offers a glimpse into his upbringing in working-class northern England, his youthful escapades in pubs, and his contemplations on life, death, and the nature of fame in the art world. Hirst, a Turner Prize winner and a key figure in the Young British Artists movement, has garnered both acclaim and controversy throughout his career. His influence extends beyond art, impacting architects, designers, and the fashion industry. Engaging and well-illustrated, this autobiography is a significant event in the art world, promising to spark both debate and admiration.