Book Review #5 Banksy The Man Behind The Wall

Banksy The Man Behind The Wall

This is the copy I received

click to see it on goodreads 

click to see it on amazon

Written by Will Ellsworth-Jones

Published by St Martin's Press New York

Official Release date February 12th 2013

I received this copy in a goodreads  (firstreads) giveaway. 

I went into this book knowing nothing about Banksy or graffiti for that matter.

When I started reading the book I decided not to look at any of Banksy's work until I was done. I read a review on Goodreads that said it would have been maybe a better reading experience if the author had included some photos of Banksy's work and I have to agree. After I finished the book and looked at his work online I think it would have been a welcome addition.The bulk of the book is the author telling us about where Banksy's work can be found and where it was and how much it goes for.At one point the author goes on a hunt for Banksy's work all over London and he talks about each stop and tells us whether or not the work is still there. It became a bit tedious after a while. I have to confess by page 60 I did not like Banksy at all and I was a bored. I feel like he takes himself so seriously I mean it's just graffiti no one is curing cancer! There were interesting parts in the book Banksy has a couple feuds with other graffiti writers and there is a falling out of sorts with a long time friend and member of his team. However nothing is really explored in depth. I suppose that is the central issue. Banksy wants to remain anonymous and in so doing takes away the ability to get anything concrete or in depth about him. On the other hand if he didn't remain anonymous would anyone care that much about what he does? This book did nothing to peak my interest in Banksy and by the 11th chapter I was almost ready to check but I don't regret reading it.

I would give it a 2.5 star rating but on goodreads they don't do half stars so I gave it a 3.

Until Next Time