Susan Boyle: Living the Dream: The Biography of Britain's Incredible Singing Sensation

by John McShane

The story behind the woman who went from obscurity to worldwide fame within a few days—a near-instant superstar

 

Susan Boyle struggled at school and spent many years dreaming of being noticed at local talent shows; this book explains how the death of her mother and the strength of her faith finally gave Susan the courage to apply for Britain's Got Talent in 2009. The rest, as they say, is history. Her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables captivated not only the British audience but audiences across the globe. Millions of fans logged in on YouTube and Twitter making Susan an overnight success. Susan's debut album sold 701,000 copies in the United States its first week, the best opening week for a debut artist in more than a decade. "I Dreamed a Dream" also outsold the rest of the top five albums combined. In only a week, it sold more than two million copies worldwide. Here is the inside story of Susan's rise to fame, and the effect it's had on her life.

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2010

Reviews

[Sarah Hocking · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring read. The fact this book has got such bad reviews really makes my blood Boyle. It’s an instant classic.

[Alison Hunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

A puff piece. Written soon after her win in BGT, and the British tour, but before the recording and touring. Emphasised the hypocrisy of reaction to her, which was good, but far too many newspaper pieces, all saying the same thing.

[Autumn (Thu · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short stage of Susan Boyle's life. It's not written in an attractive way. However, Susan Boyle's nice and everybody should live their dreams.

[Kayla Jordaan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like a very long magazine article, not a book.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I started enjoying this book; it was interesting and started out really well! I learnt lots about Susan I never knew. Then as soon as it got to the part where Susan goes to Britain's got talent, it crashed and burned. As soon as they started talking about Susan's performance there, they suddenly put in hundreds of media opinions of her continuously again and again and AGAIN and even AGAIN! I couldn't read it like a book! By page 50 I had enough and kept reading about 4 more pages to see if it would change, but I did not. There's only so much newspaper clippings I can take. I couldn't understand the grammar in this book either when they put in these media clippings, it was confusing and not the grammar I am used to. Correct grammar or not, I couldn't follow it.

Straight in my abandoned shelf! The book has a beautiful cover and beautiful photos, but not good content. It it's NOT a biography either, they didn't even need to say it was authorised or not because obviously it's not one, but a whole bunch of media opinions and like someone has said, just events of her life

[Michelle Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read . I enjoyed it from start to finish . Susan Boyle was someone that lead a sheltered life , suffered bullying at school. Who lived a solitary life with her cat pebbles . When she made a promise to her mother before she died to live her dream of being a professional singer . She went on a talent show , Britain's got talent .Where she was judged before she even open her mouth . She was looked at as dowdy and unattractive by the crowd and judges . She then started to sing and then the world was at her feet . She then became a overnight world sensation overnight . Her YouTube video got millions of views . Her dream was to become a reality , however there would be some ups and downs with all the pressure that comes with being a celebrity .

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave additional insights into Susan Boyle's life and progression to being an International star. I preferred the Autobiography, which I felt gave a better insight into her thoughts and feelings at various stages of her life. I have great respect for her ability to keep going forward; not being defeated by setbacks and emotional "bruises". 2/11

[Regina]

Very interesting book.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/79... see review here