Life inspires art in the debut novel by the Belle and Sebastian songwriter, tracing a young man’s path to music
obsessives, of whom there are many around the world, to figure out which details in this debut novel by the band’s lead singer and main songwriter are made up. As far as I’ve been able to work out, just a few names have been changed, of people and cafes. Apart from that, Nobody’s Empire could as well have been published as a recovery memoir. So let’s agree to call it autofiction, and take the book on its merits – which are considerable.
Murdoch’s songs have always been populated by athletes and shut-ins; he experienced being first one then the other. On early albums such as If You’re Feeling Sinister, his short‑storyish characters are either “throwing discus / For Liverpool and Widnes” or giving themselves “to books and learning”. As the band have become better musicians, they’ve swapped their ramshackle junk shop charm for a smoother pop efficiency, but Murdoch’s lyrical concerns have remained consistent.
The first, and most likely to be of greatest satisfaction to fans of Murdoch’s catchy and intricate music, traces Stephen’s shambling progress toward becoming a songwriter, performing musician and band leader. The second, intimately linked, explores his “journey with God”. This involves a moment of transcendent connection through music, followed by months of embarrassed prayer and fitful attendance at church services. The third main plotline follows Stephen’s troubles with girls.
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