Killing Bono

Killing Bono

I Was Bono's Doppelganger

by Neil McCormick

384 pages· 2005· ISBN 9781416505563

Browse books you can read free on Readfeed

No club is reading this yet — be the first to start one

Start a club free
About
Longtime friend and reporter, Neil McCormick, reveals childhood and present day stories about Bono and his band, U2. Some are born great. Some achieve greatness. Some have greatness thrust upon them. And some have the misfortune to go to school with Bono. Everyone wants to be famous. But as a young punk in Dublin in the 1970s, Neil McCormick's ambitions went way beyond mere pop stardom. It was his destiny to be a veritable Rock God. He had it all worked out: the albums, the concerts, the quest for world peace. There was only one thing he hadn't counted on. The boy sitting on the other side of the classroom had plans of his own. Killing Bono is a story of divergent lives. As Bono and his band U2 ascended to global superstardom, his school friend Neil scorched a burning path in quite the opposite direction. Bad drugs, weird sex, bizarre haircuts: Neil experienced it all in his elusive quest for fame. But sometimes it is life's losers who have the most interesting tales to tell. Featuring guest appearances by the Pope, Bob Dylan, and a galaxy of stars, Killing Bono offers an extremely funny, startlingly candid, and strangely moving account of a life lived in the shadows of superstardom. “The problem with knowing you is that you've done everything I ever wanted to,” Neil once complained to his famous friend. “I'm your doppelganger,” Bono replied. “If you want your life back, you'll have to kill me.” Now there was a thought...

Discussion questions for Killing Bono

Bring these to your book club — or discuss them with readers on Readfeed.

  1. 1

    How does the book explore the complexities of friendship when one friend achieves global superstardom and the other struggles for recognition? What unique pressures and dynamics emerge in such a relationship?

  2. 2

    Neil's "elusive quest for fame" involves a path "in quite the opposite direction" from U2's. In what ways do his experiences with bad drugs, weird sex, and bizarre haircuts offer a different, perhaps more relatable, perspective on the pursuit of a dream compared to the success stories we usually hear?

  3. 3

    Bono calls Neil his "doppelganger," suggesting a profound connection despite their divergent lives. How do you interpret this idea, and in what ways might Neil's experiences, even those of perceived failure, illuminate aspects of Bono's success or the broader human condition?

Discuss Killing Bono with other readers

Join or start a book club for Killing Bono on Readfeed. Live chat, shared reading progress, and AI discussion questions — free to get started.

Frequently asked questions

How do I join a book club for Killing Bono?

Sign up free on Readfeed, then browse public clubs or start your own club with Killing Bono as the current read. Invite friends with a share link and discuss together with live chat and AI discussion questions.

Can I discuss Killing Bono with other readers online?

Yes. Readfeed book clubs let you chat live, share progress, and join discussions about Killing Bono with readers worldwide — whether your club is virtual, in-person, or hybrid.

Is Readfeed free?

Yes. Creating an account and joining book clubs is free. Sign up to find readers who love the same books and start discussing today.