OBSESSION: CHARLES MANSON

Welcome to our very first weekly feature – every Sunday we will take it in turns to share with you our current fixation. This could be a strong independent woman, a hot rock star or some fella we met on the street with a nice story. This week, however, it’s everybody’s favourite schizophrenic murderer, Charles Manson.

 
I’ve always found the story of the “Manson Family” fascinating. In my opinion, when a person causes quite so much media controversy there is usually an interesting behind the scenes – perfectly demonstrated with good old infamous Charlie. I recently grabbed myself a copy of the book “Without Conscience” which is practically his autobiography, only written by a friend, Nuel Emmons, who he met in one of his earlier prison sentences. The introduction and conclusion explain Emmons’ opinion on matters, but everything else is very much through eyes of Manson. I completely urge every single one of you to read this book - it’s well written, exciting and you’ll have it read within the week. But beware – if you have a soft spot for the hippy and beatnik lifestyle, you will join me in falling madly in love with him.

 I’m about 90% sure that if I had come across Manson in his heyday I’d have jumped in his van and never looked back. Some of the stories of their life pre-paranoia sound pretty idyllic – the kind of rebellious teen cult that anybody would be happy to be a part of. And I’m not all that down with cults. Manson captured the essence of the rock-and-roll dream, living in the moment, for the moment. It’s a shame that he and his loveable gang went and did all of them murders really, or they’d have been even more of an inspiration. Unfortunately a life of psychedelics and ganja does often drive a man insane.

I’ll be frank with you, it definitely helps that he was pretty dreamy. A bad boy with a good face and a troubled past? Marry me. Again, we’ll bypass the psychotic tendencies and just presume that if he’d have met me we would have lived happily ever after and things wouldn’t have got quite so out of hand.

Continuing to fuel my obsession, I’ve gotten really into watching clips on YouTube of some of the interviews he has done since he’s been in prison. Some of his theories and opinions are excellent and truly thought-provoking – he’s not just the crazy bastard that he was portrayed as in the height of the scandal. Also I’m seriously considering getting that wild little face tattooed on me in the near future, perhaps the modern day equivalent of protesting on the streets outside of his trials. Whether you’re with me on the adoration or not, you have to admire his popularity which continues to stand the test of time. Still often referred to in pop culture and the media, Manson will forever be ingrained in the nation, for better or worse.

Tasha KF
@TashaFranek