Perspective

The autobiographical account of Marilyn Manson's life, "The Long Hard Road Out of Hell," could not have been written as aptly and thoroughly by anyone other than Manson himself. It is written in the first-person narrative. Manson shares everything with his readers from details of his performance art and abusive attitude toward women to his strange thoughts and eerie dreams. Manson relates his strange story in an unapologetic manner. The work is a straightforward and honest account of a depraved and perverted life-style that catches up with him at least to some degree.

Manson's strong "beliefs" in Satanism and his depraved and nihilistic behavior on and off stage are explained and defended. Although he purports to be uncaring and confident, the fundamental reality that he has a problem with self-worth and self-image leaks through on occasion throughout the account. Manson does not hold back about his bizarre and...