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Japan and Self Existence
This book allows us into the life of Mick Karn; inside his thoughts and motivations to create, his will to sculpt and survive, and what experiences have brought him thus far.
- GenresNonfiction
388 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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131 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 30, 2012
I love Mick Karn, He should've been my husband. He never really caught a break. David Sylvian was an ass to him. He never got the fame he deserved. He was also hilarious in a dark way. The world is a definitely worse off without him. He is the kind of person that makes the world a better place.
July 21, 2011
Mick Karn was the bass player in the band Japan from their formation in the mid 1970's until their break-up in 1982. He went on to become a well respected solo artist as well as guest bassist of choice for a number of musicians.
This book was self published in 2009 after three years of trying to find a publisher.
The book does not flow chronologically. It is presented in the order that it was written with jumps of many years between chapters and with gaps in time that are not covered at all. This isn't too much of a problem provided the reader knows a little about Mick Karn's recoding career as it is the recordings and tours that tie the narrative together. But it would perhaps have helped if more dates had been used. But then again, perhaps the book was supposed to more about what rather than when.
The book includes plenty of detail about relationships, the author's depression and difficult manner and his professional life. However, the major theme of the book is Karn's financial difficulties both at the height of his success in Japan when they suffered from the usual rip-off by the band's management and in later years when he struggled to get recording contracts and find an audience for his music. During these years he was in demand as a session musician or guest bassist and often had to record and tour with artists whose music didn't suit his style in order to earn a wage.
Mick Karn describes the writing of this book as a cathartic experience. He says he constantly revised, edited and strove to find a better way of expressing his emotions. In his introduction he says "Much as I would have liked this book to be a work of art, it is at the end of the day, an exposé, a truth seeking vehicle opposing the myths that continue to surface."
And it does deal with Karn's issues with David Sylvian, vocalist and songwriter (or not) in Japan. That is the reason why most people would buy this book.
The biggest issue with this book is how badly it is written. Karn's writing style is awful. He writes in the usual fairly appropriate style throughout but consistently uses phrases that are more appropriate for conversational English and which jar when used, as they are in this book, as part of a more formal sentence. Additionally the book is full of grammatical errors. For those who want to read the book this isn't really a problem. But a casual reader wouldn't tolerate it. However, as this book is self-published there probably won't be any casual readers.
This book was self published in 2009 after three years of trying to find a publisher.
The book does not flow chronologically. It is presented in the order that it was written with jumps of many years between chapters and with gaps in time that are not covered at all. This isn't too much of a problem provided the reader knows a little about Mick Karn's recoding career as it is the recordings and tours that tie the narrative together. But it would perhaps have helped if more dates had been used. But then again, perhaps the book was supposed to more about what rather than when.
The book includes plenty of detail about relationships, the author's depression and difficult manner and his professional life. However, the major theme of the book is Karn's financial difficulties both at the height of his success in Japan when they suffered from the usual rip-off by the band's management and in later years when he struggled to get recording contracts and find an audience for his music. During these years he was in demand as a session musician or guest bassist and often had to record and tour with artists whose music didn't suit his style in order to earn a wage.
Mick Karn describes the writing of this book as a cathartic experience. He says he constantly revised, edited and strove to find a better way of expressing his emotions. In his introduction he says "Much as I would have liked this book to be a work of art, it is at the end of the day, an exposé, a truth seeking vehicle opposing the myths that continue to surface."
And it does deal with Karn's issues with David Sylvian, vocalist and songwriter (or not) in Japan. That is the reason why most people would buy this book.
The biggest issue with this book is how badly it is written. Karn's writing style is awful. He writes in the usual fairly appropriate style throughout but consistently uses phrases that are more appropriate for conversational English and which jar when used, as they are in this book, as part of a more formal sentence. Additionally the book is full of grammatical errors. For those who want to read the book this isn't really a problem. But a casual reader wouldn't tolerate it. However, as this book is self-published there probably won't be any casual readers.
April 1, 2023
I was a bit hesitant to read this at first since i had read a few different opinions about it online. Now in retrospect, I’m so glad i did. Mick had a wonderful way of writing as the book felt more like a conversation between the reader and the author than anything. He talks a lot about his own private life (maybe a bit too much about past relationships at times) and a lot about his solo career and other works outside of Japan. If you’re only interested in his Japan days, then maybe this book won’t be your cup of tea. However, i found it so so interesting to hear about his struggles as a solo artist, the thought processes of his music making and of course every story about his fellow musician friends. I would advice people to get somewhat familiar with some of the people he talks about before you start reading (David Torn being a great example) because it got very confusing at times not knowing who any of these people were. 8 months has gone by since i finished this book, and during that time I’ve bought a physical copy of it and contemplates rereading it approximately 16 times lol.
So, TL;DR, Definitely worth the read if you’re like me and want to learn more about Mick Karn and the importance of being fretless :-)
So, TL;DR, Definitely worth the read if you’re like me and want to learn more about Mick Karn and the importance of being fretless :-)
February 1, 2023
Loved it. Highly recommended for fans of the band Japan. Mick had a very different experience than the limelight enjoyed by David Sylvian.
November 19, 2017
the memoirs of Mick Karn is a very honest account of his personal life and his professional career as a musician (with Japan and solo) and sculptor. I found the non chronological approach a bit random and confusing at times and I will be tempted to re-read it following a more linear chronology
June 26, 2022
Read this a while back and it was pretty sad and eye opening as to a lot of what had occurred between the members of japan
June 30, 2020
It was a tragic loss to the music world that Mick Karn died so young. His bass playing was a marvel and his stage presence in his prime as charismatic as much bigger and more well-known stars. He was a great inspiration to me in my youth.
I’ve seen in some of the reviews here complaints about typos. I only though came across one in the entire book – a whose instead of a who’s. At times he writes dialogue phonetically which maybe explains this unwarranted criticism.
I’m presently writing a novel about a 1980s English band, inspired in large part by Japan and particularly the relationship between Karn and David Sylvian, and this autobiography was of immense help to me.
I’ve seen in some of the reviews here complaints about typos. I only though came across one in the entire book – a whose instead of a who’s. At times he writes dialogue phonetically which maybe explains this unwarranted criticism.
I’m presently writing a novel about a 1980s English band, inspired in large part by Japan and particularly the relationship between Karn and David Sylvian, and this autobiography was of immense help to me.
May 7, 2017
What a legacy. I only discovered that mk died this month, so bought this book and it was such a pleasure to have this live and vibrant voice echoing from the past.
A lovely book and worth reading for the insight into his thinking.
A lovely book and worth reading for the insight into his thinking.
October 11, 2021
I was a little disappointed. He came across quite bitter in parts. I understand he was upset with certain people but it does not do him any favours.
Also the quality of the photos are not the best. It could ( and should ) have been done a lot better.
Also the quality of the photos are not the best. It could ( and should ) have been done a lot better.
August 28, 2025
I have
always been a fan of the group japan, and Mick Karn was always my favourite member.
This is a very interesting autobiography from a very interesting man.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend to any japan or Mick Karn fan as an excellent, informative read.
always been a fan of the group japan, and Mick Karn was always my favourite member.
This is a very interesting autobiography from a very interesting man.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend to any japan or Mick Karn fan as an excellent, informative read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews