Book Review One: Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell

I have just spent a week with one of the worlds most powerful men. Unsurprisingly, my week has not been spent on a yacht, drinking champagne and being wooed by a millionaire. I have spent a week reading Tom Bowers Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell. Coincidentally (or was it?), the semi-finals of the latest series of Britains Got Talent were about to begin. After the books arrival, Simon Cowell became my world. The book travelled with me to work and moved as I did between the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen I could not put it down. In the evenings, the television went on and I devoured two more hours of his presence. By the end of the week, Ashley and Pudsey, the amazing dancing dog act, were crowned the winners. Simon announced confidently, my lifes work is complete. This book certainly gave me an insight into the work of this powerful man. And I doubt highly that his unique form of world domination is nearing completion. After the revelations in the tabloid of numerous affairs with various high-profile women, I watched as many reviled and condemned the man who has come to define and dominate the celebrity world around us. Having always had a weakness for a. a good page turner and b. juicy gossip, it may have taken me about 12 seconds after noticing the first headline before my phone was on, I was logged onto Amazon and my Simon (I saw him first, Walliams!) was winging his way to me on next day delivery. The shocking headlines prepared me for what I thought would be a gossip-filled, celebrity bible of how music was created and over-seen by a self-confessed God of showbiz. And yes, many names were dropped, massive fees were reeled off and endless relationships dissected and then discarded. The book also, however, charts a very human story. Cowells misspent youth and uncertainty about the future is a relatable truth for those just leaving education and finding their paths. His subsequent fall into a business, in which he very much starts from the bottom, creates a true underdog story. When he emerges victorious, his journey becomes an almost Shakespearean depiction of a wheel of fortune, turning purely on chance and circumstance. The heros fatal flaws are clear (the vanity, the arguable greed, the wrath for those that previously ridiculed him) but make Simon all the more human and all the more sympathetic. As well as charting Cowells life and career, this book has particular importance for readers of my generation. Growing up, I was never a fan of the cool or edgy music. School friends would trawl the internet and social networks looking for new and interesting bands and dub themselves new and interesting by default. Whether from an inherent laziness or lack of discipline that the young Cowell and I seem to share, I simply laid back and the let the mainstream wash over me. As a result, this book also charts the story of my youth though the two mediums that have had an undeniable influence on how I have developed as a person. From the novelty acts of the Teletubbies and Zig and Zag to the world phenomenon that is Westlife, Simon Cowell is responsible for the soundtrack to my world. From Pop Idol to The X Factor his influence has never faltered; my tickets to see One Direction have been booked one year in advance. I have often been mocked for

my position as Cowells target audience a cheesy, young, female, slightly hysterical pop fan but reading this book has reaffirmed my love for all things Cowell. The downside to this book is actually not to do with my Simon but with Mr Bower. Occasionally, a smug and judgemental narrative voice interrupts what could have been a truly authentic portrait of a successful and complicated man. I was particularly unimpressed by a liberal use of irrelevant and condescending adjectives (Paul McKennawho was accompanied by Sam, an attractive English woman (!!)), that struck me as being somewhere between cheesy tabloid patter and chauvinism. In addition, for someone craving a sentimental story of Simons life and love, there were frequently too many initialisms and anachronisms, too many tedious explanations of business negotiations not enough heart. Even relationships are described as having a you scratch my back, Ill scratch yours quality in the more economic, rather than sexual, connotation. It may be that Mr Bower has painted an accurate portrait of a heartless, money-orientated business mogul. But I cannot, will not, believe that of my Simon. Sweet Revenge may be the title, but I believe Mr Bower fails in an attempt to paint Simon Cowell as one thirsty to attack his attackers. Instead, a truly human figure emerges from the gossip and criticism that has surrounded all of us at one point in our lives, although obviously not on the same scale. Simon appears hard-working, head-strong, determined, insecure, uncertain, powerful and flawed. There is something authentic and relatable in him, that perhaps he wouldnt like to admit. The book may have been a point of embarrassment for Simon, but his ability to laugh at himself during one of his most high profile weeks has been admirable. Now that BGT is finished for another year the longedfor dog act crowned is Simons work complete? If those looming Xs in this weeks Heat magazine are any indicationnot a chance.