book review: Kill Your Friends

Kill Your Friends by John Niven is an irresistibly subversive novel which follows the nearly thirty and completely psychotic Steven Stelfox through his lonely, coke-addled days as a major label A & R exec. The title is a tad misleading, as the egotistical protagonist isn’t human enough to warrant any normal relationships—but he is so self-involved that he is completely unaware of his unnatural solitary lifestyle, or the repercussions thereof.

He rather spends all of his time and money over-indulging in prostitutes and high end clubs. When he speaks about music, it is in a deprecating manner, and he lumps every kind of artist into one group. He claims time and time again that everyone, down to the smallest indie group, is only in it for the money.

This book is like a twentieth century reinvention of American Psycho in a British record label suit. Steven will have you laughing against your better judgment at his cynical observations, and worse yet, at his maniacal boldness. He goes to every length imaginable to protect his own lifestyle. He is a nasty, horrible excuse for a human being: a sex-addict murderer unaware of his own lunacy. He will offend you time and time again, but you will not be able to put the book down. Steven will easily become one of the most unforgettable literary characters you have ever encountered.

This is the ultimate satire, and a must read for any music lover, not in spite of, but because of Steven’s many ludicrous claims about music and art. Look at it this way: you’ll only walk away a stronger, more resilient music lover if you can look past Steven calling “Paranoid Android” an awful song. And if you can’t, well, I can’t say I blame you.

Recommended.

the book was released in 2008, and you can buy it on AMAZON

Talking Heads - Psycho Killer [mp3]