Reckless

My Life as a Pretender

By: Chrissie Hynde

Narrated by: Rosanna Arquette

From Chrissie Hynde, one of rock’s most iconic, alluring, kick-ass, and (let’s face it) sexy women, a brilliant, no-holds-barred memoir of a rock life lived to the hilt.

Chrissie Hynde, the songwriter and frontwoman of The Pretenders in its various incarnations, has for thirty-five years been one of the most admired and adored and imitated figures in rock. This long-awaited memoir tells her life story in full and utterly fascinating detail, from her all-American Ohio fifties childhood to her classic baby-boomer seduction by the rock of the sixties to her sojourn in the crucible of punk that was seventies London to her instant emergence with her band, The Pretenders, in 1980 into stardom as a frontwoman and songwriter. She brings a fantastic eye for detail, a withering and sardonic sense of humor, and a fearless and sometimes naked emotional honesty to her memoir, and every line, every word of it is unmistakably hers. It is sure to be recognized as a classic of rock literature—and, man, is it fun to listen to.

Very Much Enjoyed

Chrissie's retrosoective perspective is beautifully shared in her raw, unfiltered way you'd expect... narrated by the best voice to share it.

Great book! Want more! I couldn't stop listening!

What a great book!! I would buy another one if she wrote it!! I loved.

An excellent read (or listen).

Told as only the author herself could. Gritty, poignant, real. This was truly one of those rare "couldn't put it down" books.

Chrissie's Story...Am Emotional Epic!

Rosanna Arquette brings weight, humor and emotion to the reading of Chrissie's bio My Life As A Pretender. I was surprised the book ended immediately after the sudden back to back deaths of founding The Pretenders members...bassist Pete Farndon and guitarist James Honeyman-Scott as I wanted to hear the rest of her story. It was wonderful hearing how her life progressed from child to adult and how The Pretenders came to being, rose to super stardom only to implode, mainly due to drugs, booze and excess. Lessons learned.

Loved it!

Such an amazing story. Chrissie Hynde's honesty about her story is what makes this book special, so special. She paints an amazing picture of her upbringing in Akron, Ohio to her journey to London and into rock and roll history. I grew up in Akron so her description of our city in the 50' s , 60's. and early 70's was fascinating to me. Wonderful book, a great read for anyone.