James Dean: The Mutant King by David Dalton - BOOK REVIEW

Book Review #1

James Dean: The Mutant King by David Dalton

 So, the first James Dean book I ever read due to the scarcity of books written about the forever young Mr Dean. I bought the book online so I had no idea albeit a few small jpeg images of the size, the feel or the ease of page turning. The front of the book has an eye- catching, 100%  flattering image of Mr Dean in a black and white striped jumper. A favourite among us James Dean lovers. The book itself is paperback (I personally prefer paperback as it is more versatile, easier to lug around than hardback for us on the go readers). As a book lover I dislike having to bend the pages of books, so I was delighted that the pages were easy to turn and the text didn’t trail off into the spine, and there was no need for unnecessary folding of the book at each chapter.

On reading the book I had nothing to compare it to being it my first, therefore I was able to go in with fresh eyes and only a ‘limited amount’ of knowledge of Mr Dean. I say limited, I thought I knew all there was about Dean before I read this book! On the adjacent page before every chapter starts there is an extract from a poem or a book, for example a poem extract from James Whitcomb Riley, whom Dean valued. Each extract I found to be knowingly or unknowingly related to Dean in some way. The little extracts I really did adore, it made me feel a little more connected to Dean and his thoughts.

Before the chapter starts there is a miniature summary of what is to expect in the ensuing chapter, which again I thought was a lovely touch. There are pictures throughout the entire book, not just the middle, this I find saves you a lot of work flicking back and forth of the pages and adding potential damage to the book. The one and only one criticism I had about the book was the quality of some of the images. All images are in black and white which to me is no big deal, but some of the images have a blurry like quality and if like me you enjoy seeing Mr Dean at his full potential in sharp HD then it can be a bit of a frustration.

Thus far I was pleased aesthetically and kinetically; bar a few images. When I started reading I went into full James Dean mode, entirely absorbed and I was ever so delighted. Credit to the author David Dalton and the research that he conducted as it was ever so in depth. Through reading the book I found out things about Mr Dean I didn’t know before. Research aside, the way that it was written was extra thrilling. It didn’t just skim the surface, it wasn’t like many biographies which are just facts after facts written on paper it was like a story, it had emotion and passion and you feel involved. It has interviews/ quotes from co-stars, directors he worked with and intimate friends of his. You feel as though you know Dean from his mental state to the tiny dirt specks under his fingernails.

To me this book has been beautifully written with a lot of thought and effort, you gain a real insight to Jimmy’s life from the day he was born, his relationship with his father, his coming to term with his mother’s death, his school years, the starting of his career to the day he passed. If anything Jimmy’s personality really shines through!

 Recommend to every and any James Dean admirer, I guarantee if you only liked him a little bit before after reading the book you will either come to love him, wanted to of been able to marry him, mother him or be his best friend .

RRP - £6.95

Online price - £4-£6

(my book was around £5.80)