Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink by Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello's long-awaited memoir, Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink, delivers precisely what its title suggests: a beautifully wrought and deeply personal exploration of a life steeped in music, tinged with the ephemeral nature of fame. Far from a predictable rock star autobiography, this book, lauded by Nick Hornby as "fantastic" and the Sunday Times as "beautifully written," offers a truly remarkable insight into one of rock and roll's most enduring and distinctive voices.

Born Declan Patrick MacManus, Costello's musical heritage runs deep, from a trumpet-playing grandfather on the White Star Line to a jazz musician father who found success as a radio dance band vocalist. He followed this lineage with a fierce determination, taking the popular music world by storm before reaching his mid-twenties. Costello continues to build one of the most intriguing and extensive songbooks of our time, his performances ranging from a humble cardboard guitar in his childhood home to commanding the world's greatest concert halls in diverse and captivating company.

Unfaithful Music avoids the well-trodden path of rock memoir clichés. Instead, Costello reflects with characteristic wit and intelligence on how his near four-decade career has endured through a blend of fortunate happenstance and shrewd artistic instinct, punctuated by the occasional surreal episode of pop stardom. Written with the same inimitable touch that defines his lyrics, and enriched by a wealth of personal images, the book offers a uniquely Costello-esque perspective on his unlikely and often comical ascent to international acclaim.

Crucially, Costello delves into the previously uncharted emotional landscapes that underpin some of his best-known songs, offering a profound connection to his creative process. He shares engaging stories and astute observations about his renowned collaborators and co-conspirators, while also pausing to consider the less glamorous aspects of notoriety. Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink stands poised to become a classic: an idiosyncratic and deeply resonant memoir from a singular artist. It's a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page, much like one of Costello's unforgettable melodies.