by discotechno » Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:51 pm
I posted my views on this book the other day on Enya's site, and joined up here to share my views, for what they're worth, with Moya's fans.
Firstly, in relation to the original topic - does she share too much? No, not at all. She made a decision not to present a safe, sanitized version of her life which creates this poignant contrast between her life before meeting Tim and afterwards. There is also an implicit suggestion in the 'earlier' half of her life that perhaps there was a good deal more sex and drugs than she was really prepared to state in her biography. This is understandable - and Moya is entitled to secrets - baring her soul too much in such a public way, might have serious psychological implications - not just for herself but also her young family. She was beyond brave in writing this book.
She has been more honest than a lot people who have written biographies - and the reader is grateful for this frankness. We don't think less of her for sharing her life - Moya comes out on trumps - with her dignity perfectly intact.
I read 'The Other Side of the Rainbow' (Moya's biography) over the weekend and have to state on here that, for me, this is the best 'rock biography' I've ever read - and I've read quite a few, including Elvis, Abba, John Lennon etc.
I didn't buy the book as a Clannad or Moya fan but saw it as an alternative source for information about Enya, Nicky, Roma etc. It turns out there are few references to the 'Enya' trio here, but this did not stop me turning the pages of what can only be described as a 'vice like' grip on the narrative. It's an easy read, and I felt compelled to read it over two days.
Moya's story is nothing short of enlightening and instructive. Bravely and courageously (honesty and courage are qualities lacking in so many biographies - particularly of the 'rock' variety) she holds up her life to close scrutiny. Looking into the glass darkly we see the spectre of loneliness and despair hang over a woman who had (before marriage to Tim Jarvis): a large and close knit family, two wonderful supportive parents, chart success with Clannad, a BAFTA, an Emmy, many 'showbiz' friends; and yet for all the 'surface' trappings of success i.e the cocaine&champagne lifestyle, Moya felt profoundly bereft, isolated and sad - though the word depression is never used in the book. The reader can palpably imagine suicidal thoughts (if not an attempt), and we're left in no doubt about Moya's perceived sense of failure in all aspects of her life - even in the creative/songwriting department. It was interesting to note that her solo career only began after her second marriage to Tim; who comes across vividly as a pillar of support. And if anyone has given up on the idea of finding true love and personal happiness, then Moya's story offers real hope.
This is less a 'fairy tale' and more a tale of 'The Prodigal Daughter' who experiences true personal happiness after rediscovering her religious/spiritual and family roots. She doesn't preach or try to proselytize once in the book (too down to earth and realistic for that) but the reader is left in no doubt that faith and religious practice can turn someone's life around. Moya's life really was a vale of tears, and around the time she took up prayer and religious practice she was introduced to her husband Tim and went on to start a family at the relatively late age of 40 after experiencing a proper white wedding after her first disastrous marriage.
Her life up to this point could be summed by the phrase a 'beautiful paradox' - even Tim (then a photographer with the NME) doesn't seem to be her perfect match when we're first introduced to him - but never have I read a love story more convincing than Moya's and I was deeply touched reading about their honeymoon in India, where they went to discover the grave of Tim's father. Moya is such a fine specimen of humanity - deeply touched by the suffering of others.
She is warm, honest, and not remotely glib or superficial about her life - she wears her heart on her sleeve and the reader's life is enriched for reading this fascinating 'folk chic' story which is ultimately about the human condition and how everyone is touched by loneliness and deep rooted fears at some time or other. It may not be considered a work of high literary merit but as personal accounts go this is nothing short of rivetting - if it wasn't I wouldn't have read it so quickly.
The other readers of this book on Amazon have given it 5 stars - and that it truly deserves. Before I read this book I was expecting not to like Moya at all (suspecting, wrongly I guess, that she may not have been too sweet on kid sister Enya during their Clannad days) or at the very least expecting to read an insipid account of a faded early 80' 'pop star' (which it certainly isn't). Speaking of sibling rivalry, or lack there of, it was lovely to see the picture of Enya and Moya singing into the same mic at Leon's wedding!
If you're experiencing any unhappiness in your own life - I can't recommend this book highly enough.
For me personally, it has been hugely uplifting and mood enhancing during these cold, dark winter days.
God Bless Moya for sharing the darkness and the light in her life with her readers!
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