Name: Richard Dawson's review of A Better Me by Gary Barlow
Item: A Better Me
Rating: 2
Author: Richard Dawson

Gary Barlow

'This is the book I wished I'd had to turn to.' Gary Barlow Gary Barlow is one of the most successful British musicians and songwriters of all time, but fifteen years ago, as he himself admits, he hit rock bottom - he was out of shape, out of work, depressed. Food for him had become an addiction, a means not only of comfort but almost of self-medication as he grappled with the cruel twists of fate of musical stardom. In 2003, as he struggled with the disappointment of an underperforming solo career alongside the tireless media taunts; Gary turned to food. Relentlessly. In the space of nine years he had been on 20 diets in the hopes of a resolution to all his woes. After asking the doctor what the 'cure' for obesity was, it sunk in that he was the only one who could take control of his health. Gary describes this realisation and the task that lay ahead - 'it was like being at the foot of a massive mountain'. So how did he go from an obese, out-of-work and depressed pop icon, to a superstar of music and TV and an accomplished musical songwriter and producer who is full of vitality, fitter, happier and more successful than ever before. What happened? In his extraordinarily honest memoir A Better Me, Gary tells of his journey back to professional success and mental and physical health. From reforming Take That to critical and commercial acclaim and reigniting his own legendary songwriting career; to overcoming his weight problems and crippling obsession with food; to TV judging panel stardom on The X Factor and Let It Shine and at last finding balance in both his personal and professional life. A Better Me is a remarkably frank memoir of Gary's life as he battled with weight, stress, fitness and depression, and staged one of the most thrilling professional comebacks in years. In his warm, witty and authentic voice, he recounts his story with compelling insight, captivating honesty and a human side that people rarely see. Here is one of the UK's most beloved pop stars open, honest and raw and as we've never seen him before.

The Official Autobiography

A Better Me

Richard Dawson

My main issue with ‘A Better Me’ is that Gary himself admitted that it originally started as a fitness book, including exercises and even recipes. Since the initial conception it evolved into a memoir, but it is quite clear which sections were intended for its original iteration.

Sections on the death of his father, his depression and overeating, and the loss of his daughter are interesting, but are then followed with tedious accounts of the various diets he has tried and his opinions on the various trainers he has had over the past few years. 

What was also disappointing is that if you are a Barlow fan and have already read his first autobiography ‘My Take’, some of the stories are repeated with no further examination or information. 

It took me less than 24 hours to read 'A Better Me' because there is nothing of weight in this book, easily digestible like one of Gary’s newfound diets. I really enjoyed ‘My Take’, but I will not be returning to this one.

Richard Dawson &
A Better Me by Gary Barlow

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Richard Dawson &A Better Me by Gary Barlow

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Richard Dawson &
A Better Me by Gary Barlow