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Withdrawn Traces: Searching for the Truth about Richey Manic
From despair, to where? On 1 February 1995, Richey Edwards, guitarist of the Manic Street Preachers, went missing at the age of 27. On the eve of a promotional trip to America, he vanished from his London hotel room, his car later discovered near the Severn Bridge, a notorious suicide spot. Over two decades later, Richey’s disappearance remains one of the most moving, mysterious and unresolved episodes in recent pop culture history. For those with a basic grasp of the facts, Richey's suicide seems obvious and undeniable. However, a closer investigation of his actions in the weeks and months before his disappearance just don’t add up, and until now few have dared to ask the important questions. Withdrawn Traces is the first book written with the co-operation of the Edwards family, testimony from Richey’s closest friends and unprecedented and exclusive access to Richey’s personal archive.
In a compelling real-time narrative, the authors examine fresh evidence, uncover overlooked details, profile Richey's state of mind, and brings us closer than ever before to the truth.
In a compelling real-time narrative, the authors examine fresh evidence, uncover overlooked details, profile Richey's state of mind, and brings us closer than ever before to the truth.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published January 31, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 16, 2019
An odd one
Compelling, but also flawed. Necessarily inconclusive, interesting, but blighted by frustrating errors (eg. ‘Margaret on the Guillotine’ attributed to The Smiths not Morrissey, some lyrics / titles signalled for deeper meaning re Richey’s perspective were actually (based on other sources) written / suggested by a Nicky (‘man kills everything’, ‘Poetry of Death’) which don’t give the reader faith in the accuracy of other assertions. Some tenuous speculation is generated, and some aspects contradict the bands stated version of events, but it’s an interesting - if occasionally unreliable - side to the story of Richey... And good to read of the work that Rachel Edwards has done re missing persons, in light of what sounds like a pretty woeful police investigation.
Compelling, but also flawed. Necessarily inconclusive, interesting, but blighted by frustrating errors (eg. ‘Margaret on the Guillotine’ attributed to The Smiths not Morrissey, some lyrics / titles signalled for deeper meaning re Richey’s perspective were actually (based on other sources) written / suggested by a Nicky (‘man kills everything’, ‘Poetry of Death’) which don’t give the reader faith in the accuracy of other assertions. Some tenuous speculation is generated, and some aspects contradict the bands stated version of events, but it’s an interesting - if occasionally unreliable - side to the story of Richey... And good to read of the work that Rachel Edwards has done re missing persons, in light of what sounds like a pretty woeful police investigation.
May 3, 2020
disappointed by this.
like, really disappointed by this. especially as rachel has contributed to it, and in my opinion, I feel she has been let down by these writers.
let's get the redeeming things out of the way first.
-highlights the sheer incompetence and appalling callousness of the police in missing person cases.
-brings new light on richey and moves away from the 'last gang in town' manics story and focuses on his uni life and other friends. some interesting things to learn.
-by having rachel involved there is very good reason to believe things when it comes to richey's personal life (unfortunately, the lives of his friends, not so much)
-hopefully, it will get the case moving again. it does a lot to highlight loose threads, the state of richey's mind/possible undiagnosed aspergers/history of interest in reclusivity and self-imposed exile.
- documents from richey's archive. some are more interesting than others.
now, the problems:
for a book that claims to search for the truth, there are several mistakes, half-truths, cherry picked out of context statements, over analysed lyrics, and third hand referencing. are these writers sun journalists?
this book has an agenda. it reads like internet conspiracy theory (and on checking online, it has fed some conspiracy theorist types online who think THE ~~ILLLUMINATI~~ kidnapped Richey, jesus help me) the writers of this book even reference a book that posits the argument that kurt cobain's death was actually a murder staged as suicide. by analysing and investigating richey's lyrics, some serious mental gymnastics are made here (their thoughts on revol made me laugh out loud, and not in a good way).
I worry for people in vulnerable or quietly desperate positions who become involved with paranoiac conspiracy types. they always turn on those who have had to suffer the most and point the finger, saying MAYBE IT WAS YOU ALL ALONG.
it is not a fair portrayal of the remaining band members, at all. seems to forget that JDB, NW, SM were humans with their own personal issues both before, during, and most definitely, after richey vanished. all the while richey is shown to be a delicate little flower who was too pure for this world. 25 years that band have been keeping his name and identity in the public consciousness, they will never fill that gap on the stage, and up until he was declared presumed dead, they continued to send all royalties etc directly to him, all whilst having the harsh light of the British media constantly on them about his whereabouts/mental health. these writers want people to think the band were grateful he left, instead of being adults and trying to carry on with life the only way they could. WTF.
unwitting testimony of this book: richey was an emotionally manipulative person and selfish beyond belief - preferring to maintain some ideal of artistic and historical integrity whilst it nearly pulled down three of his friend's careers and tore at the hearts of his friends and families.
the one thing that is certainly 4 REAL, is that poor family having to suffer all this time.
I hope they get some sort of closure. i honestly do. it's really not fair what the Edwards family have gone through. my heart goes out to them.
like, really disappointed by this. especially as rachel has contributed to it, and in my opinion, I feel she has been let down by these writers.
let's get the redeeming things out of the way first.
-highlights the sheer incompetence and appalling callousness of the police in missing person cases.
-brings new light on richey and moves away from the 'last gang in town' manics story and focuses on his uni life and other friends. some interesting things to learn.
-by having rachel involved there is very good reason to believe things when it comes to richey's personal life (unfortunately, the lives of his friends, not so much)
-hopefully, it will get the case moving again. it does a lot to highlight loose threads, the state of richey's mind/possible undiagnosed aspergers/history of interest in reclusivity and self-imposed exile.
- documents from richey's archive. some are more interesting than others.
now, the problems:
for a book that claims to search for the truth, there are several mistakes, half-truths, cherry picked out of context statements, over analysed lyrics, and third hand referencing. are these writers sun journalists?
this book has an agenda. it reads like internet conspiracy theory (and on checking online, it has fed some conspiracy theorist types online who think THE ~~ILLLUMINATI~~ kidnapped Richey, jesus help me) the writers of this book even reference a book that posits the argument that kurt cobain's death was actually a murder staged as suicide. by analysing and investigating richey's lyrics, some serious mental gymnastics are made here (their thoughts on revol made me laugh out loud, and not in a good way).
I worry for people in vulnerable or quietly desperate positions who become involved with paranoiac conspiracy types. they always turn on those who have had to suffer the most and point the finger, saying MAYBE IT WAS YOU ALL ALONG.
it is not a fair portrayal of the remaining band members, at all. seems to forget that JDB, NW, SM were humans with their own personal issues both before, during, and most definitely, after richey vanished. all the while richey is shown to be a delicate little flower who was too pure for this world. 25 years that band have been keeping his name and identity in the public consciousness, they will never fill that gap on the stage, and up until he was declared presumed dead, they continued to send all royalties etc directly to him, all whilst having the harsh light of the British media constantly on them about his whereabouts/mental health. these writers want people to think the band were grateful he left, instead of being adults and trying to carry on with life the only way they could. WTF.
unwitting testimony of this book: richey was an emotionally manipulative person and selfish beyond belief - preferring to maintain some ideal of artistic and historical integrity whilst it nearly pulled down three of his friend's careers and tore at the hearts of his friends and families.
the one thing that is certainly 4 REAL, is that poor family having to suffer all this time.
I hope they get some sort of closure. i honestly do. it's really not fair what the Edwards family have gone through. my heart goes out to them.
September 19, 2023
i cannot believe this book literally the only bits worth reading are the archival aspects + the chapter on police incompetence, everything else is wild conjecture, bad faith, and conspiracy theories
October 4, 2020
What can I say? I'm just obsessed with Richey's disappearance, and I grow so frustrated that I can't learn anything new about it, which is because there is no more to know. I can only imagine how awful it must be for his loved ones. The pain of his sister is evident throughout this book.
May 2, 2019
The Manics are one of my all time favourite bands. This has left me no further on my feelings about what happened to Richey but wherever he is, whatever happened, I just hope that he's ok
January 24, 2020
In the wake of Kurt Cobain's suicide and my desperate cloying to finish college and get the hell away from the area I grew up in, I became a little bit obsessed (albeit momentarily) with the Manic Street Preachers album, 'The Holy Bible' and its sheer despair, melancholy and glorious melodies of angst, pain and political strife. I didn't understand the poetry or the literary references but I loved the military look they adopted and in particular when they appeared on Top of the Pops, looking like they were about to go to war.
I even saw them twice that year, both managing to see them with and without Richey Edwards in the matter of a couple of months. A unique an enviable position that I imagine most fans at the time (and since) would feel quite envious of.
I remember the whole disappearance quite differently than when I heard about Kurt's death. There, there was a sense of finality (even if at the same time no sense of closure, even today) but with the news of Richey is was more of ambivalence and quite honestly, despite the obvious seriousness and sadness, there was a sense of that he would eventually turn up, even that it may be something orchestrated for publicity means. It was certainly all very confusing though.
And unfortunately it still is, even after reading this excellent book. Because it really doesn't answer any questions. In fact, it only throws up more. More scenarios, more reasons, more possibilities that don't end with what is inevitably his death. Sure, there is more insight and clarity about the days and weeks leading up to the event but still there is confusion and bewilderment. Sheer bafflement as to what happened.
Written with the blessing of the Edwards family and Richey's sister, the sheer unheard of access to this seemingly mythical figure is quite astonishing and we get to deep dive into the guitarist's personal archive of notebooks, letters and diaries. And for that alone, it's a Manics fan's wet dream, this book is. So enjoy, indulge and celebrate the life of Richey Edwards, despite all the query and ambiguity.
"So damn easy to cave in, man kills everything"
I even saw them twice that year, both managing to see them with and without Richey Edwards in the matter of a couple of months. A unique an enviable position that I imagine most fans at the time (and since) would feel quite envious of.
I remember the whole disappearance quite differently than when I heard about Kurt's death. There, there was a sense of finality (even if at the same time no sense of closure, even today) but with the news of Richey is was more of ambivalence and quite honestly, despite the obvious seriousness and sadness, there was a sense of that he would eventually turn up, even that it may be something orchestrated for publicity means. It was certainly all very confusing though.
And unfortunately it still is, even after reading this excellent book. Because it really doesn't answer any questions. In fact, it only throws up more. More scenarios, more reasons, more possibilities that don't end with what is inevitably his death. Sure, there is more insight and clarity about the days and weeks leading up to the event but still there is confusion and bewilderment. Sheer bafflement as to what happened.
Written with the blessing of the Edwards family and Richey's sister, the sheer unheard of access to this seemingly mythical figure is quite astonishing and we get to deep dive into the guitarist's personal archive of notebooks, letters and diaries. And for that alone, it's a Manics fan's wet dream, this book is. So enjoy, indulge and celebrate the life of Richey Edwards, despite all the query and ambiguity.
"So damn easy to cave in, man kills everything"
July 19, 2023
Really fascinating insight into the life and mind of Richey, with the access to his archive and contributions from Rachel really stirring emotion throughout, especially when talking about the poor and apathetic search efforts. Couldn’t put the book down throughout the last 4/5 chapters.
Loses a lot of points for a few reasons. Claims to want to steer away from wild speculation, but asks if trouble with drug dealers might have killed Richey? There also seems to be a large anti-rest-of-band agenda - fair play, the way the Manics’ career has turned out since is pretty antithetical to their early manifestos led by Richey, but to almost imply they’re happy he disappeared? Come on now.
Finally, the chapter on The Holy Bible, which by all rights was the one I most keenly anticipated as it’s my favourite album, was such a massive let down. Huge over-analysis of lyrics - comparing Richey to Farrakhan in all seriousness was actually laughable. Happily though, the chapter ended well and gained my serious attention again with its talk about ‘Yes’ and Richey’s confrontational stance against the industry.
All in all, a fantastic biography with the best resources possible available to the authors, somewhat spoiled by their frankly weird analyses and eagerness to push agendas that Richey’s story would be compelling enough without.
Loses a lot of points for a few reasons. Claims to want to steer away from wild speculation, but asks if trouble with drug dealers might have killed Richey? There also seems to be a large anti-rest-of-band agenda - fair play, the way the Manics’ career has turned out since is pretty antithetical to their early manifestos led by Richey, but to almost imply they’re happy he disappeared? Come on now.
Finally, the chapter on The Holy Bible, which by all rights was the one I most keenly anticipated as it’s my favourite album, was such a massive let down. Huge over-analysis of lyrics - comparing Richey to Farrakhan in all seriousness was actually laughable. Happily though, the chapter ended well and gained my serious attention again with its talk about ‘Yes’ and Richey’s confrontational stance against the industry.
All in all, a fantastic biography with the best resources possible available to the authors, somewhat spoiled by their frankly weird analyses and eagerness to push agendas that Richey’s story would be compelling enough without.
March 30, 2019
My first,lengthy attempt at this review was eaten by goodreads!I'm really not sure how to rate this book.Before reading I expected this to be a sensitive and sympathetic biography of the 'real'Richey,with imput from the other 3 Manics.What I got was a confused attempt to frame his disappearance as staged whilst providing a character assassination of the remaining members of the Manics.From the outset the authors wanted to downplay the 'friends from childhood' part of the legacy and instead quoted acquaintances and friends with whom Richey had lost touch many years previously.I'm not sure if the Manics declined to be involved in this project or were not invited to be but the lack of photos of the full band not to mention lack of sympathy towards them is rather shocking.
As an attempt to unravel the threads of the Richey myth this is unsatisfying as the same ground is tread yet again,yet all within the framing device of Richey's supposedly spending years planning the 'perfect disappearance'.I can't help but feel the authors' have manipulated the information to support their narrative,particularly as some of the theories and connections are so flimsy and verging on preposterous.
If this was intended to be an empathetic examination of Richey's character it doesn't work because he comes across as desperately needy,immature and self-destructive all of which seems to be blamed on his idyllic childhood!
As an attempt to unravel the threads of the Richey myth this is unsatisfying as the same ground is tread yet again,yet all within the framing device of Richey's supposedly spending years planning the 'perfect disappearance'.I can't help but feel the authors' have manipulated the information to support their narrative,particularly as some of the theories and connections are so flimsy and verging on preposterous.
If this was intended to be an empathetic examination of Richey's character it doesn't work because he comes across as desperately needy,immature and self-destructive all of which seems to be blamed on his idyllic childhood!
June 5, 2024
Look, I love the Manics. I love Richey even more. But this… idk man. Reading quotes from his private journals and letters to his friends just felt like an invasion of his privacy. I know he wanted to get his message out there, but he wanted to do it HIS way. I don’t think he would have wanted his unfiltered thoughts out there in the world. I ended up skipping over those bits as I read because like… it just felt wrong somehow.
Also the descriptions of his “odd behaviour” like was that really necessary? He was obviously struggling and that’s another thing I don’t think he would have wanted out there. And hinting that he was in love with Nicky??? Girl… he obviously can’t give his opinion on that anymore, can he? Best case scenario you’ve made a completely false assumption, worst case scenario you’ve outed him when he can’t speak for himself.
Obviously I didn’t know the guy, he disappeared years before I was even born. Maybe he would have been completely fine with this. But maybe he wouldn’t. Nobody knows for sure, and the writers are banking on quite a big assumption here in order to feel like they’re not disrespecting him. I also think they have taken advantage of Rachel a little bit here.
One star for Rachel and another for the pictures at the end.
Also the descriptions of his “odd behaviour” like was that really necessary? He was obviously struggling and that’s another thing I don’t think he would have wanted out there. And hinting that he was in love with Nicky??? Girl… he obviously can’t give his opinion on that anymore, can he? Best case scenario you’ve made a completely false assumption, worst case scenario you’ve outed him when he can’t speak for himself.
Obviously I didn’t know the guy, he disappeared years before I was even born. Maybe he would have been completely fine with this. But maybe he wouldn’t. Nobody knows for sure, and the writers are banking on quite a big assumption here in order to feel like they’re not disrespecting him. I also think they have taken advantage of Rachel a little bit here.
One star for Rachel and another for the pictures at the end.
July 23, 2022
Took me a while to get it from the shelf before finally reading it, few years after it was published.
Read it with great interest, being info the Manics, although following them since Everything mus go, hence, after the vanishing of Richey.
And that might induce a different experience when reding WT.
What I liked :
The different approach,with extensive archives from the Edwards family.
That revealed even more to me all the talent and intelligence of Richard Edwards.
What puzzled me : the judgment passed on the other members of the group. Accusing, unflattering. But I find that this judgment might need a bit of « nuance » hence the age and the experience of the members since the Manics form and lost Richey.
This might be no excuse. But actually spending extensive time with a self destructive person might be very different from what we perceive as « spectators ».
A most interesting part pf the book lies in the last chapter counting all the misery coming from an overlooked investigation and the lack of help to families struggling with such a drama.
A very interesting reading.
Read it with great interest, being info the Manics, although following them since Everything mus go, hence, after the vanishing of Richey.
And that might induce a different experience when reding WT.
What I liked :
The different approach,with extensive archives from the Edwards family.
That revealed even more to me all the talent and intelligence of Richard Edwards.
What puzzled me : the judgment passed on the other members of the group. Accusing, unflattering. But I find that this judgment might need a bit of « nuance » hence the age and the experience of the members since the Manics form and lost Richey.
This might be no excuse. But actually spending extensive time with a self destructive person might be very different from what we perceive as « spectators ».
A most interesting part pf the book lies in the last chapter counting all the misery coming from an overlooked investigation and the lack of help to families struggling with such a drama.
A very interesting reading.
March 18, 2019
I was keenly awaiting the release of this book.
As a fan of the Manics from the age of 19 and was always very curious about the Richey disappearance.
My heart really goes out to Rachel Edwards and was sad to hear of her parents passing.
A very interesting read and was good to hear Rachel’s stories and journal extracts and letters.
A must for Manics fans. Especially the older ones, like me!
As a fan of the Manics from the age of 19 and was always very curious about the Richey disappearance.
My heart really goes out to Rachel Edwards and was sad to hear of her parents passing.
A very interesting read and was good to hear Rachel’s stories and journal extracts and letters.
A must for Manics fans. Especially the older ones, like me!
March 5, 2024
I'm a big manics fan so this was really interesting to read! There's so much detail, especially with Richey's archive and Rachel's side of the story. I would have given it 5 stars if it wasn't for the conspiracy theories/ agendas trying to be pushed. That aspect ruined parts of it, but it's still worth reading to get such a detailed insight into Richey's life and disappearance.
February 28, 2021
First of all, I have nothing but compassion for Rachel Edwards.
Rachel has stated that she wanted to 'take back' Richard from the rock myth that has built up around him over the last quarter-century. That's understandable, and she had somebody who was willing, and who she trusted to write the story and 'investigate' further. Unfortunately, what this book does is to ultimately further that myth, as well as adding some (frankly) crazy conspiracy nonsense into the mix without providing any kind of solid journalistic evidence to back up these assertions.
The author (SHR) has stated that this is an 'autobiography', though any decent autobiography requires one thing above all others; objectivity. This has none.
This may be of interest to those with a passing or former appreciation for the Manic Street Preachers, but what is clear is that it is an awful, exploitative book written by somebody who was desperate to pull a full hatchet job on the remaining members of the band but was prevented from doing so by the publishers. SHR has made it very plain over the years that she is no fan of the remaining Manics and that, coupled with a startling lack of distance from the subject, renders this a phenomenally spiteful, inaccurate and poorly-written affair. It really is dreck.
Read it (preferably from a library), but take it all with a huge pinch of salt. SHR is an embittered former fan who is obsessed with both Edwards siblings and it shows on every page.
For a better, more balanced and nuanced view of the subject try 'Everything' by Simon Price.
Rachel has stated that she wanted to 'take back' Richard from the rock myth that has built up around him over the last quarter-century. That's understandable, and she had somebody who was willing, and who she trusted to write the story and 'investigate' further. Unfortunately, what this book does is to ultimately further that myth, as well as adding some (frankly) crazy conspiracy nonsense into the mix without providing any kind of solid journalistic evidence to back up these assertions.
The author (SHR) has stated that this is an 'autobiography', though any decent autobiography requires one thing above all others; objectivity. This has none.
This may be of interest to those with a passing or former appreciation for the Manic Street Preachers, but what is clear is that it is an awful, exploitative book written by somebody who was desperate to pull a full hatchet job on the remaining members of the band but was prevented from doing so by the publishers. SHR has made it very plain over the years that she is no fan of the remaining Manics and that, coupled with a startling lack of distance from the subject, renders this a phenomenally spiteful, inaccurate and poorly-written affair. It really is dreck.
Read it (preferably from a library), but take it all with a huge pinch of salt. SHR is an embittered former fan who is obsessed with both Edwards siblings and it shows on every page.
For a better, more balanced and nuanced view of the subject try 'Everything' by Simon Price.
June 9, 2025
I was with it until it just started listing endless conspiracy theories that everyone in the world was going to kill Richey and they either got him or he had to disappear. Didn’t expect Jimmy Savile to be behind it!
October 31, 2024
I could not encapsulate my frustration with all the things wrong with this book into one short review. Instead, I wrote an entire analysis, critique and debunk of the book (link below) that goes through each chapter and identifies all the ways in which it fails to portray Richey as a person or an artist rather than a mythical character, and how and where it peddles conspiracy theories ranging from the benign to verging on anti-Semitic, consistently misquotes or deliberately removes context, reduces Richey to his mental illness and disappearance (while claiming not to), and frames the remaining members of the band as deliberately hostile to Richey.
It may be pedantic to have gone through this book with such a fine-toothed comb and analysed every inaccuracy and problematic statement and terrible, unsupported interpretation, but I felt that the picture of Richey that is held by the general public is darkly lit by conspiracy theories, obsessions with mysterious disappearances, and fascination with "tortured artists", and a book that claimed to portray Richey "as an artist and as a person" and so massively failed to do so needed someone to pick its problems apart.
This book isn’t catering to fans of the Manics or Richey, or to people who want to learn about Richey’s life and artistry, or people who care about finding him. It is catering to fans of true crime and conspiracy theories, to those who want to read a sensational story rather than the biography of an artist. Within these pages, Richey has become a character or a doll which Roberts and Noakes can manipulate into the hypothetical scenarios and shapes that fit the mysteries or fantasies they want to present. He is a shadow, hidden behind his own disappearance, absurd conspiracy theories, and whatever unexplained grudge the authors seem to hold against the rest of the band. There is no sensitivity, towards Richey or others. There is no nuance. There is no respect.
If you have interest in reading my full analysis and review, you can find it on WordPress here:
https://jesuisgourde.wordpress.com/20...
It may be pedantic to have gone through this book with such a fine-toothed comb and analysed every inaccuracy and problematic statement and terrible, unsupported interpretation, but I felt that the picture of Richey that is held by the general public is darkly lit by conspiracy theories, obsessions with mysterious disappearances, and fascination with "tortured artists", and a book that claimed to portray Richey "as an artist and as a person" and so massively failed to do so needed someone to pick its problems apart.
This book isn’t catering to fans of the Manics or Richey, or to people who want to learn about Richey’s life and artistry, or people who care about finding him. It is catering to fans of true crime and conspiracy theories, to those who want to read a sensational story rather than the biography of an artist. Within these pages, Richey has become a character or a doll which Roberts and Noakes can manipulate into the hypothetical scenarios and shapes that fit the mysteries or fantasies they want to present. He is a shadow, hidden behind his own disappearance, absurd conspiracy theories, and whatever unexplained grudge the authors seem to hold against the rest of the band. There is no sensitivity, towards Richey or others. There is no nuance. There is no respect.
If you have interest in reading my full analysis and review, you can find it on WordPress here:
https://jesuisgourde.wordpress.com/20...
January 12, 2025
People who disliked this book are probably overly sensitive and protective fans of Richey.
The theories presented in the book are just theories and the author makes it clear they are. It's speculation. I took it as nothing more than that, presented with some facts that are given to us by actual people who knew him, like his sister and Jo and his band mates. I don't think it painted anyone in a particularly bad light. I didn't walk away from this thinking "Yeah, Richey definitely got kidnapped by thugs." or "Yeah he definitely had borderline" or "His band mates sounds like jackasses because they didn't want him in the band anymore."
This was all just speculation mixed in with actual events and anecdotes that happened pertaining to a very complex situation involving numerous human relationships. I guess the negativity is coming from the fear that maybe others might walk away taking all of this at face value, but as for my personal experience with this book I enjoyed it and felt it was very informative.
The theories presented in the book are just theories and the author makes it clear they are. It's speculation. I took it as nothing more than that, presented with some facts that are given to us by actual people who knew him, like his sister and Jo and his band mates. I don't think it painted anyone in a particularly bad light. I didn't walk away from this thinking "Yeah, Richey definitely got kidnapped by thugs." or "Yeah he definitely had borderline" or "His band mates sounds like jackasses because they didn't want him in the band anymore."
This was all just speculation mixed in with actual events and anecdotes that happened pertaining to a very complex situation involving numerous human relationships. I guess the negativity is coming from the fear that maybe others might walk away taking all of this at face value, but as for my personal experience with this book I enjoyed it and felt it was very informative.
June 17, 2024
I’m not sure about this one. It promises a lot and starts well but does rather get a little crazy by the end. It’s still mind boggling how little is known about Richey’s disappearance, compared to many true crime podcasts documenting cases from 1995 and before. It is just a complete mystery, and even what little new information does little to help.
Well done to Rachel for everything she’s done to move forward everything for the family and friends of missing people.
Well done to Rachel for everything she’s done to move forward everything for the family and friends of missing people.
January 6, 2021
Terrible. One star for the photograph section.
July 17, 2024
Es un libro problemático en muchos aspectos, que alimenta pensamientos conspiranoicos, saca conclusiones estrafalarias sobre las letras de Manic Street Preachers y deja la puerta abierta a considerar que John Lennon fue asesinado por el FBI o que el suicidio de Kurt Cobain también fue un homicidio. Llegados al final, que es quizá lo más chungo de todo, da la impresión de que los autores no se lanzan a incriminar directamente a los compañeros de la banda del asesinato de Richey Edwards solo por las consecuencias legales que acarrearía.
Dicho esto, y desde el plano puramente literario, me parece que 'Withdrawn Traces' es un trabajo excelente. Nacido del dolor de la hermana de Edwards por no haber podido cerrar su historia, dada su desaparición aún sin resolver, Sara Hawys Roberts y Leon Noakes se afanan en recorrer todo el universo artístico de Richey –tanto el producido como el consumido– en busca de sentido, y lo que encuentran es fascinante. Directa o indirectamente, este abordaje de la vida de un poeta desde la perspectiva del estudio de un caso abierto de forma permanente acaba siendo un ejercicio ejemplar de crítica cultural, además de una biografía riquísima en detalles que sirve de profundo homenaje a una obra insuficientemente explorada, aunque ese no sea, en principio, el propósito. El análisis del arte de alguien como resolución de un enigma. Como libro musical es fantástico: hablando de los mitos del rock, y cómo determinadas narrativas obsesionaron a su protagonista, casi redescubrimos al personaje como una especie de Quijote de la posmodernidad, una vida y una identidad entera construida sobre referencias de los poetas malditos y de la música de los noventa. Y como investigación no está nada mal tampoco, teniendo en cuenta que logra encontrar y aportar datos nuevos, como lo del ticket del coche, que pone la cronología de las últimas 24 horas de Edwards patas arriba.
No obstante, quizás es inverosímil cómo ordena las influencias y recurrencias temáticas de Richey Edwards en sus lecturas, confiriéndole una erudición, una sabiduría, una determinación filosófica y una claridad mental que contradice el caos en el que parecía vivir instalado. La hipótesis sobre su autismo es un poco sonrojante y, por otro lado, choca cuán exhaustivo trata de ser tomando en serio las distintas teorías (incluso las más absurdas) para luego soltarte que en su última noche el pavo estuvo con una total desconocida llamada Vivian... y no indagar absolutamente nada en ella. Vale que no esté identificada, pero, si la fuente de esa información es la banda y sabe su nombre, ¿en serio no hay más datos? ¿Cómo llega James Dean Bradfield a saber que en la habitación hay una persona llamada Vivian? Tengo un gorrito de aluminio en la cabeza ahora mismo –y que los Manics hicieran en 2018 una canción llamada 'Vivian', sobre una fotógrafa llamada Vivian Maier que vivió de manera deliberadamente anónima hasta su muerte en 2009 (es decir, otra obsesa de la reclusión y el exilio) y habla de "todo el misterio que dejó atrás", parece un vacile.
En general, incluso desde el escepticismo, la historia es fascinante y uno se puede volver loco encontrando conexiones, sea porque Edwards favoreció que así fuese (las pistas que claramente dejó como mensaje, su interés explícito a lo largo del tiempo en el tropo romántico de la desaparición, la insistencia en que su colega de la institución mental supiera lo mucho que le gustaba una serie sobre un tío que finge su muerte) o porque, cuando uno quiere ver algo, lo ve en todas partes. No me interesa el 'true crime', pero las búsquedas o interpretaciones artísticas de realidades posibles no pueden ser más estimulantes y por eso estoy dentrísimo de este misterio eterno.
Dicho esto, y desde el plano puramente literario, me parece que 'Withdrawn Traces' es un trabajo excelente. Nacido del dolor de la hermana de Edwards por no haber podido cerrar su historia, dada su desaparición aún sin resolver, Sara Hawys Roberts y Leon Noakes se afanan en recorrer todo el universo artístico de Richey –tanto el producido como el consumido– en busca de sentido, y lo que encuentran es fascinante. Directa o indirectamente, este abordaje de la vida de un poeta desde la perspectiva del estudio de un caso abierto de forma permanente acaba siendo un ejercicio ejemplar de crítica cultural, además de una biografía riquísima en detalles que sirve de profundo homenaje a una obra insuficientemente explorada, aunque ese no sea, en principio, el propósito. El análisis del arte de alguien como resolución de un enigma. Como libro musical es fantástico: hablando de los mitos del rock, y cómo determinadas narrativas obsesionaron a su protagonista, casi redescubrimos al personaje como una especie de Quijote de la posmodernidad, una vida y una identidad entera construida sobre referencias de los poetas malditos y de la música de los noventa. Y como investigación no está nada mal tampoco, teniendo en cuenta que logra encontrar y aportar datos nuevos, como lo del ticket del coche, que pone la cronología de las últimas 24 horas de Edwards patas arriba.
No obstante, quizás es inverosímil cómo ordena las influencias y recurrencias temáticas de Richey Edwards en sus lecturas, confiriéndole una erudición, una sabiduría, una determinación filosófica y una claridad mental que contradice el caos en el que parecía vivir instalado. La hipótesis sobre su autismo es un poco sonrojante y, por otro lado, choca cuán exhaustivo trata de ser tomando en serio las distintas teorías (incluso las más absurdas) para luego soltarte que en su última noche el pavo estuvo con una total desconocida llamada Vivian... y no indagar absolutamente nada en ella. Vale que no esté identificada, pero, si la fuente de esa información es la banda y sabe su nombre, ¿en serio no hay más datos? ¿Cómo llega James Dean Bradfield a saber que en la habitación hay una persona llamada Vivian? Tengo un gorrito de aluminio en la cabeza ahora mismo –y que los Manics hicieran en 2018 una canción llamada 'Vivian', sobre una fotógrafa llamada Vivian Maier que vivió de manera deliberadamente anónima hasta su muerte en 2009 (es decir, otra obsesa de la reclusión y el exilio) y habla de "todo el misterio que dejó atrás", parece un vacile.
En general, incluso desde el escepticismo, la historia es fascinante y uno se puede volver loco encontrando conexiones, sea porque Edwards favoreció que así fuese (las pistas que claramente dejó como mensaje, su interés explícito a lo largo del tiempo en el tropo romántico de la desaparición, la insistencia en que su colega de la institución mental supiera lo mucho que le gustaba una serie sobre un tío que finge su muerte) o porque, cuando uno quiere ver algo, lo ve en todas partes. No me interesa el 'true crime', pero las búsquedas o interpretaciones artísticas de realidades posibles no pueden ser más estimulantes y por eso estoy dentrísimo de este misterio eterno.
May 4, 2024
As someone with an interest in unsolved mysteries, this book piqued my interest. Although I recall hearing about Richey’s disappearance as a child, I'd always assumed that this was a "cold case" with a foregone conclusion. Certainly, the stereotypical image of an enigmatic rockstar, together with his darkly prescient lyrical output, have done nothing to debunk the widely-held theory that Richey died by his own hand. It was from this perspective that I approached the book and, in short, I enjoyed it for many reasons, most of which were entirely unexpected.
Its trajectory follows that of a conventional biography, beginning with Richey’s early childhood and exploring the influence of key family members upon his psyche. The economic and cultural impact of Thatcherite policy is interwoven throughout, providing an unsettling backdrop to the happiness and stability of Richey’s idyllic early life. The narrative voice frequently includes that of his close sibling, Rachel, which lends it a semi-autobiographical dimension in the absence of its protagonist. This softens the book's diligent chronological approach and builds a fascinating picture of the man behind one of the UK's most famous unsolved mysteries - one that evidently continues to provoke much debate.
The scope of the book is enormous and includes a wealth of literary, musical, and historical references as well as numerous personal narratives and archival documents from Richey’s family and friends. There's no undue focus on any singular event or causative factor, and it draws no conclusions as to what ultimately happened to Richey, which (granted) may be unsatisfying to some. As the book broaches the difficult subject of his disappearance, the authors expose a myriad of important details concerning the mishandling of the investigation, much of which I had never heard about until now. I get the impression that the authors wanted to cover all bases and remain neutral by doing so, whilst bringing home the message that these discrepancies indeed account for the reason why the public may never learn about Richey’s fate.
The book is certainly ambitious, and there's no room left to pander to the sensationalism of a "whodunnit" or align with a particular idea above all others. But, for those who are interested in unsolved mysteries as well as Welsh history and culture, this is a fascinating read that does a lot to challenge the public perception of Richey’s case in a sympathetic manner. It makes for vigorous as opposed to light reading, and not everyone will appreciate its historical relevance. From my perspective, I was enlightened to some important details that I was never previously aware of, and additionally, I got to know Richey through a very different lens. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the band, modern mysteries and fans of pop culture.
Its trajectory follows that of a conventional biography, beginning with Richey’s early childhood and exploring the influence of key family members upon his psyche. The economic and cultural impact of Thatcherite policy is interwoven throughout, providing an unsettling backdrop to the happiness and stability of Richey’s idyllic early life. The narrative voice frequently includes that of his close sibling, Rachel, which lends it a semi-autobiographical dimension in the absence of its protagonist. This softens the book's diligent chronological approach and builds a fascinating picture of the man behind one of the UK's most famous unsolved mysteries - one that evidently continues to provoke much debate.
The scope of the book is enormous and includes a wealth of literary, musical, and historical references as well as numerous personal narratives and archival documents from Richey’s family and friends. There's no undue focus on any singular event or causative factor, and it draws no conclusions as to what ultimately happened to Richey, which (granted) may be unsatisfying to some. As the book broaches the difficult subject of his disappearance, the authors expose a myriad of important details concerning the mishandling of the investigation, much of which I had never heard about until now. I get the impression that the authors wanted to cover all bases and remain neutral by doing so, whilst bringing home the message that these discrepancies indeed account for the reason why the public may never learn about Richey’s fate.
The book is certainly ambitious, and there's no room left to pander to the sensationalism of a "whodunnit" or align with a particular idea above all others. But, for those who are interested in unsolved mysteries as well as Welsh history and culture, this is a fascinating read that does a lot to challenge the public perception of Richey’s case in a sympathetic manner. It makes for vigorous as opposed to light reading, and not everyone will appreciate its historical relevance. From my perspective, I was enlightened to some important details that I was never previously aware of, and additionally, I got to know Richey through a very different lens. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the band, modern mysteries and fans of pop culture.
April 12, 2023
I learnt new things about Richey.
Long time fan of the boys and only got around to reading this on extended work leave. I don’t know what people expected from this book..for the authors to actually find Richey Edwards? Treat it as a biography with a few suggestions of what might have become of him thrown in. It’s tricky to write a book with no definitive ending and I’d like to see most attempt it. It’s a book of two halves, Richey’s life story and then the hypothesising about his vanishing. I would berate the album analysis chapter though. It is overly speculative and somewhat poorly written, yet have seen the authors say it’s bad and if given a second chance they would cut it completely. For first time writers it’s pretty standard and decent enough. Just not sure what some people were actually expecting when you do find out more about the behind the scenes life of Edwards by those who actually knew him, rather than some other (hacks I won’t mention) books that only ‘know’ him via the music press, including the word of the band (still in the music business) who may still have a reason to sell or sanitise their certain version of events when it comes to their missing friend. No shade at them just it’s time to let others who knew Richey tell their story. Heart goes out to Richey’s family and hope his sister gets answers in her lifetime.
Long time fan of the boys and only got around to reading this on extended work leave. I don’t know what people expected from this book..for the authors to actually find Richey Edwards? Treat it as a biography with a few suggestions of what might have become of him thrown in. It’s tricky to write a book with no definitive ending and I’d like to see most attempt it. It’s a book of two halves, Richey’s life story and then the hypothesising about his vanishing. I would berate the album analysis chapter though. It is overly speculative and somewhat poorly written, yet have seen the authors say it’s bad and if given a second chance they would cut it completely. For first time writers it’s pretty standard and decent enough. Just not sure what some people were actually expecting when you do find out more about the behind the scenes life of Edwards by those who actually knew him, rather than some other (hacks I won’t mention) books that only ‘know’ him via the music press, including the word of the band (still in the music business) who may still have a reason to sell or sanitise their certain version of events when it comes to their missing friend. No shade at them just it’s time to let others who knew Richey tell their story. Heart goes out to Richey’s family and hope his sister gets answers in her lifetime.
June 11, 2020
I don't know where to begin with this book. The raw emotion, the love and the worry are etched onto every page. A person who was so loved yet so troubled just gone. It truly makes you think. I hope that there is more of an outcome and hopefully closure for the family and band. Richey a true poet deserves to be acknowledged and remembered for his lyrics and his intensity to achieve something.
It makes you realise that we never can understand another person and what they feel or what they are going through yet more should and needs to be done to help people get help.
A deeply profound read that does need to be read again (I will read it again)
I do feel that Richey is given his own chance to explain the many ways he may have taken. He isn't just "another musician" he's his own person and he's been given back his humanity through the author, his own sister and friends from childhood all opening up about him.
Richey will never be forgotten and should never be. This book should encourage more to be done and the case should be reopened. Everyone who loved him needs and deserves that closure. I
It makes you realise that we never can understand another person and what they feel or what they are going through yet more should and needs to be done to help people get help.
A deeply profound read that does need to be read again (I will read it again)
I do feel that Richey is given his own chance to explain the many ways he may have taken. He isn't just "another musician" he's his own person and he's been given back his humanity through the author, his own sister and friends from childhood all opening up about him.
Richey will never be forgotten and should never be. This book should encourage more to be done and the case should be reopened. Everyone who loved him needs and deserves that closure. I
February 19, 2020
As a teenager, Richey became one of my heroes. For me, his lyrics were both a gateway to greater knowledge and a thorough exploration of a brilliant mind under serious duress.
I’ve always just assumed that his disappearance was as a result of suicide yet, after reading this book, my mind has been opened to the possibility of other outcomes.
As a biography of a great thinker with an impulse for self-destruction, Withdrawn Traces is a fascinating read. The input of Richey’s family, friends and other MSP members really give a rich insight into a man so complex, learned and unknowable.
To Richey, whose fierce intelligence and passion in what he believed in has seldom been equalled. Whatever became of you, thank you for inspiring me.
Read this with The Holy Bible on repeat.
I’ve always just assumed that his disappearance was as a result of suicide yet, after reading this book, my mind has been opened to the possibility of other outcomes.
As a biography of a great thinker with an impulse for self-destruction, Withdrawn Traces is a fascinating read. The input of Richey’s family, friends and other MSP members really give a rich insight into a man so complex, learned and unknowable.
To Richey, whose fierce intelligence and passion in what he believed in has seldom been equalled. Whatever became of you, thank you for inspiring me.
Read this with The Holy Bible on repeat.
February 27, 2020
Great testimony and foreword by Richard's sister. It was good, but a few instances like the possibility of Richey getting kidnapped by dopemen was a little far-fetched.
Regardless, it gave more good insight with what little closure and details we have about Richey's whereabouts. I personally think he died in February of 1995 at some point within the first week, but the thought of him just leaving with middle fingers up high, never to be seen again is all too wonderful a theory to deny, again, considering how little evidence we have of either claim. He was a hero to depressives, drinkers, self-harmers and outcasts across the world for the best reasons and I miss him dearly.
Regardless, it gave more good insight with what little closure and details we have about Richey's whereabouts. I personally think he died in February of 1995 at some point within the first week, but the thought of him just leaving with middle fingers up high, never to be seen again is all too wonderful a theory to deny, again, considering how little evidence we have of either claim. He was a hero to depressives, drinkers, self-harmers and outcasts across the world for the best reasons and I miss him dearly.
September 15, 2022
I found this to be an extremely heartfelt book written by a sister who has never stopped hoping for answers and a conclusion to end her suffering. I read it always bearing in mind who the contributors were. I do believe that Richey had a serious mental illness and a lot of light was shed on this. The lack of a proper police investigation was shocking. I think this book serves many purposes. It is not a book about the MSP or it’s members, it is a book about one person - Richey. It highlights brilliantly the fact that he was a human being not just a member of a band or a rock legend. This was the main purpose of the book which was stated right at the beginning.
January 23, 2023
I was a teenager in the 90s and have always been a fan of alternative music and the MSPs. Richey's disappearance and whatever happened to him pops into my head a lot. I really bloody feel for his sister. The amount of work she's done in trying to get a sense of closure is evident. The lack of work the police have done since Richey's disappearance is unforgivable too. I also found it shocking to read how divided the remaining members of the MSPs and camp and the Edwards family were. I always thought they were quite close from what I've read in other books.
I hope Rachael gets the answers she needs at some point.
I hope Rachael gets the answers she needs at some point.
July 3, 2025
Engrossing! Read it in two nights.
I saw Richey live back in 1992 before his troubles become apparent and this is a chronological timeline of a man as he becomes undone.
I would have liked more paper based creativity from when he joined the band to accompany the earlier archive though. But I can’t fault the timeline as we go on a journey through Richey’s life from birth to his last known movements in 1995.
Lots of speculation that’s within a certain context makes it an entertaining read and I came away feeling like I knew more about the subject than I did before.
You are sorely missed Richey
RIP
I saw Richey live back in 1992 before his troubles become apparent and this is a chronological timeline of a man as he becomes undone.
I would have liked more paper based creativity from when he joined the band to accompany the earlier archive though. But I can’t fault the timeline as we go on a journey through Richey’s life from birth to his last known movements in 1995.
Lots of speculation that’s within a certain context makes it an entertaining read and I came away feeling like I knew more about the subject than I did before.
You are sorely missed Richey
RIP
April 5, 2020
An interesting and emotional read. Wonderful to see photos of Richey, his school reports and excerpts from his private correspondence. There's a lot of conjecture and jumping from one conclusion to the next, which I suppose is understandable. Some excellent investigative research, particularly the details of Richey's suicide attempt, and rehabilitation in the Priory. The Clapton anecdote is wonderful . There are a few basic factual errors that gripe, but it's a compelling book for fans which makes excellent use of the sources made available by Rachel Edwards.
October 31, 2019
Brilliant is the only word that comes to my mind when writing this review to be honest.
Growing up in the bleakness and dereliction that overcame South Wales during the 80's wasn't easy for anyone; described by Richey by saying 'if Blackwood was a museum, it would be full of rubble and shit', so seeing this book not only talking about Edwards' disappearance but talking about the context checks all the boxes for me.
Growing up in the bleakness and dereliction that overcame South Wales during the 80's wasn't easy for anyone; described by Richey by saying 'if Blackwood was a museum, it would be full of rubble and shit', so seeing this book not only talking about Edwards' disappearance but talking about the context checks all the boxes for me.
Read
December 18, 2020Interesting and thorough. A must read for Richey fans.
An interesting and very emotional read for long term Richey fans.
I recommend this book. Where there are no answers to Richards fate, read with an open mind. This book explores possibilities. I have long had my own thoughts about some of his struggles and one of them is raised in this book. I pray one-day some answers are found.
An interesting and very emotional read for long term Richey fans.
I recommend this book. Where there are no answers to Richards fate, read with an open mind. This book explores possibilities. I have long had my own thoughts about some of his struggles and one of them is raised in this book. I pray one-day some answers are found.
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