Peter Ormerod
@bowiegod.bsky.social
Author of David Bowie and the Search for Life, Death and God, out on January 15 2026 and published by Bloomsbury. Also entertainments editor for NationalWorld. Also a bit too keen on porridge, toast, Swindon, Noel Edmonds etc
Pinned
Peter Ormerod
@bowiegod.bsky.social
· Oct 14
Pretty thrilled to announce that my book will be published on January 15! It's called David Bowie and the Search for Life, Death and God. It’s published by @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social and tells the story of Bowie's spiritual explorations - and why they were fundamental to his work
She was an enemy of the bland, the anodyne, the mushy, the twee. She also loved Neighbours and Home & Away. She could see things no one else could. She was appalling at housework and was a vicar's wife who was as far from the stereotypical vicar's wife as was possible to be
I wish you'd known her
I wish you'd known her
January 17, 2026 at 2:59 PM
She was an enemy of the bland, the anodyne, the mushy, the twee. She also loved Neighbours and Home & Away. She could see things no one else could. She was appalling at housework and was a vicar's wife who was as far from the stereotypical vicar's wife as was possible to be
I wish you'd known her
I wish you'd known her
She barely sold a painting in her life, but she could be brilliant. Here are a couple of my favourites (the one on the left is Trafalgar Square on the day of the 1981 Royal Wedding)
January 17, 2026 at 2:59 PM
She barely sold a painting in her life, but she could be brilliant. Here are a couple of my favourites (the one on the left is Trafalgar Square on the day of the 1981 Royal Wedding)
She would probably like to be remembered most of all as an artist. She could do pretty cottages, flowers, landscapes etc. But she also painted decaying plasterwork and congealed chicken fat. One work had dead frogs on. I once opened the fridge and found a decomposing sparrowhawk
January 17, 2026 at 2:59 PM
She would probably like to be remembered most of all as an artist. She could do pretty cottages, flowers, landscapes etc. But she also painted decaying plasterwork and congealed chicken fat. One work had dead frogs on. I once opened the fridge and found a decomposing sparrowhawk
My mother, a simply extraordinary woman named Priscilla, died on Wednesday night. She had a rare and priceless gift of being able to see beauty in anything, while being ferociously discerning. A fierce wit, an enchanted disposition, wild, magical, deeply and unsentimentally loving
January 17, 2026 at 2:59 PM
My mother, a simply extraordinary woman named Priscilla, died on Wednesday night. She had a rare and priceless gift of being able to see beauty in anything, while being ferociously discerning. A fierce wit, an enchanted disposition, wild, magical, deeply and unsentimentally loving
Pleased to see a piece about my book in la Repubblica. I've had a fondness for Italian newspapers since the early 1990s
d.repubblica.it/culture/inte...
d.repubblica.it/culture/inte...
January 14, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Pleased to see a piece about my book in la Repubblica. I've had a fondness for Italian newspapers since the early 1990s
d.repubblica.it/culture/inte...
d.repubblica.it/culture/inte...
Also just discovered the book was on Barnes & Noble's list of The Most Anticipated Nonfiction Books of 2026, alongside books by actual Sylvester Stallone, actual Cher and actual Liza Minnelli! Blimey
www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/most-an...
www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/most-an...
The Most Anticipated Nonfiction Books of 2026 - B&N Reads
This year, dive into a fascinating true story, read an in-depth memoir, learn something new about our natural world — or perhaps all of the above! Whichever topic piques your interest, check out the m...
www.barnesandnoble.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Also just discovered the book was on Barnes & Noble's list of The Most Anticipated Nonfiction Books of 2026, alongside books by actual Sylvester Stallone, actual Cher and actual Liza Minnelli! Blimey
www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/most-an...
www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/most-an...
The book is a 'perceptive meditation', a 'wild ride' and 'a unique look at a singular artist', so they say
www.booklistonline.com/products/981...
www.booklistonline.com/products/981...
Booklist Online: Leading Book Discovery
www.booklistonline.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:48 AM
The book is a 'perceptive meditation', a 'wild ride' and 'a unique look at a singular artist', so they say
www.booklistonline.com/products/981...
www.booklistonline.com/products/981...
A pleasant surprise! I've only just found out my book has received a starred review from Booklist (@ala-booklist.bsky.social), the influential American publication. Starred reviews indicate an 'outstanding title of a particular genre' and not many books get them, so that's nice
January 14, 2026 at 9:48 AM
A pleasant surprise! I've only just found out my book has received a starred review from Booklist (@ala-booklist.bsky.social), the influential American publication. Starred reviews indicate an 'outstanding title of a particular genre' and not many books get them, so that's nice
How kind of you - thanks Amber!
January 13, 2026 at 9:56 PM
How kind of you - thanks Amber!
Ah, that's nice to hear in various ways - thank you (and yes books should indeed be available at the launch)!
January 13, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Ah, that's nice to hear in various ways - thank you (and yes books should indeed be available at the launch)!
My book is published today in the USA! Blimey
If any American readers are baffled by the book's references to Floella Benjamin, Paul Daniels and Zig & Zag, I apologise - just get in touch and I'll explain everything
(And it's on the front page of @barnesandnoble.com's site!)
If any American readers are baffled by the book's references to Floella Benjamin, Paul Daniels and Zig & Zag, I apologise - just get in touch and I'll explain everything
(And it's on the front page of @barnesandnoble.com's site!)
January 13, 2026 at 12:29 PM
My book is published today in the USA! Blimey
If any American readers are baffled by the book's references to Floella Benjamin, Paul Daniels and Zig & Zag, I apologise - just get in touch and I'll explain everything
(And it's on the front page of @barnesandnoble.com's site!)
If any American readers are baffled by the book's references to Floella Benjamin, Paul Daniels and Zig & Zag, I apologise - just get in touch and I'll explain everything
(And it's on the front page of @barnesandnoble.com's site!)
This was such an enjoyable afternoon - it was a pleasure to meet so many lovely people (inc @jondennis.bsky.social and @helenbarrett.bsky.social) and a privilege to join the panel at the end. Thanks to everyone involved!
Great Bowie day at @foylesforbooks.bsky.social with Suzi Ronson, Leah Kardos, @alexlarman.bsky.social, Paul Gorman et al and hosted by @improbableatlas.bsky.social. Great to meet @bowiegod.bsky.social !
January 10, 2026 at 9:43 PM
This was such an enjoyable afternoon - it was a pleasure to meet so many lovely people (inc @jondennis.bsky.social and @helenbarrett.bsky.social) and a privilege to join the panel at the end. Thanks to everyone involved!
Reposted by Peter Ormerod
The core argument of this piece, that Bowie isn't "keeping up" with his peers in streams & income, elides the fact that Bowie was never a "Forbes fixture". he had one mega-platinum success w Let's Dance. otherwise he was always 2nd tier, sales wise! www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
Ten years after his death, is David Bowie’s musical legacy at risk of fading from view?
From the V&A to the Stranger Things finale, the pop icon still looms large – but with lower streaming figures than his peers, how many new listeners are discovering his music?
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:32 PM
The core argument of this piece, that Bowie isn't "keeping up" with his peers in streams & income, elides the fact that Bowie was never a "Forbes fixture". he had one mega-platinum success w Let's Dance. otherwise he was always 2nd tier, sales wise! www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
Really grateful for the chance to write about David Bowie in the Church Times, a paper that was always on the kitchen table first thing on a Friday morning while I was growing up and whose excellent journalism deserves widespread recognition
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
How spiritual was David Bowie?
From his childhood experiences of Anglicanism onwards, faith and spirituality informed David Bowie’s work, says Peter Ormerod
www.churchtimes.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Really grateful for the chance to write about David Bowie in the Church Times, a paper that was always on the kitchen table first thing on a Friday morning while I was growing up and whose excellent journalism deserves widespread recognition
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
The plaque outside rather sweetly describes him as 'Singer and Talented Musician'
As we remember David on his birthday, this is lovely news. And it’s great to know that it’s in such caring and diligent hands. They really don’t come any better than Geoffrey Marsh and the rest of the team who are looking after this culturally enriching project.
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
David Bowie’s childhood home to open to the public for first time
The London house where Bowie, then David Jones, lived from 1955 to 1968 will be opened at the end of 2027
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:05 PM
The plaque outside rather sweetly describes him as 'Singer and Talented Musician'
Reposted by Peter Ormerod
It would have been David Bowie's 79th birthday today
It's also the tenth anniversary of David Bowie's ★
Here's my 2020 three-part podcast on the making and myriad possible meanings of ★, featuring its co-creator @donnymccaslin.bsky.social and Leah Kardos!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
It's also the tenth anniversary of David Bowie's ★
Here's my 2020 three-part podcast on the making and myriad possible meanings of ★, featuring its co-creator @donnymccaslin.bsky.social and Leah Kardos!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
Donny McCaslin & Leah Kardos on ★
Podcast Episode · DAVIDBOWIE: ALBUMTOALBUM · 21/06/2020 · 37m
podcasts.apple.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:34 AM
It would have been David Bowie's 79th birthday today
It's also the tenth anniversary of David Bowie's ★
Here's my 2020 three-part podcast on the making and myriad possible meanings of ★, featuring its co-creator @donnymccaslin.bsky.social and Leah Kardos!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
It's also the tenth anniversary of David Bowie's ★
Here's my 2020 three-part podcast on the making and myriad possible meanings of ★, featuring its co-creator @donnymccaslin.bsky.social and Leah Kardos!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/d...
And the fact it's been reviewed by @helenbarrett.bsky.social - who definitely knows her Bowie - makes it all the better!
January 8, 2026 at 10:47 AM
And the fact it's been reviewed by @helenbarrett.bsky.social - who definitely knows her Bowie - makes it all the better!
Also very happy with this line: 'Ormerod's gift to readers is his wide-ranging citations'. I was determined to make the book as rooted and grounded as it could be, because this topic could get a bit flighty. Really grateful this was acknowledged
January 8, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Also very happy with this line: 'Ormerod's gift to readers is his wide-ranging citations'. I was determined to make the book as rooted and grounded as it could be, because this topic could get a bit flighty. Really grateful this was acknowledged
Goodness, there's a lovely review of my book in this week's Spectator
'One of the best and most original books of those published to mark a decade since Bowie's death'
'The Bowie you thought you knew is recast completely'
spectator.com/article/the-...
'One of the best and most original books of those published to mark a decade since Bowie's death'
'The Bowie you thought you knew is recast completely'
spectator.com/article/the-...
The spiritual yearnings of David Bowie
What did David Bowie mean by ‘No confessions/ No religion’ in his lyrics to ‘Modern Love’? Peter Ormerod proposes what at first seems an unlikely theory – that Bowie was talking about Gnosticism, the ...
spectator.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Goodness, there's a lovely review of my book in this week's Spectator
'One of the best and most original books of those published to mark a decade since Bowie's death'
'The Bowie you thought you knew is recast completely'
spectator.com/article/the-...
'One of the best and most original books of those published to mark a decade since Bowie's death'
'The Bowie you thought you knew is recast completely'
spectator.com/article/the-...
Reposting this for its own sake but also because not enough people realise the video was directed by Stakka Bo
LAZARUS VIDEO IS TEN YEARS OLD
“Everybody knows me now...”
Following the release of the Lazarus digital single on 18th December 2015, the Johan Renck-directed video became available ten years ago today on 7th January 2016.
Read more here: www.instagram.com/p/DTOnzB-CCd...
#LazarusVideo
“Everybody knows me now...”
Following the release of the Lazarus digital single on 18th December 2015, the Johan Renck-directed video became available ten years ago today on 7th January 2016.
Read more here: www.instagram.com/p/DTOnzB-CCd...
#LazarusVideo
January 8, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Reposting this for its own sake but also because not enough people realise the video was directed by Stakka Bo
Reposted by Peter Ormerod
David Bowie, 1975, by Steve Schapiro.
January 7, 2026 at 5:44 AM
David Bowie, 1975, by Steve Schapiro.
Ah, that's a relief - thanks!
January 5, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Ah, that's a relief - thanks!
Very happy to see my book recommended by @theipaper.com as one of their top January reads
'Thoughtful rather than fan-driven, it adds a fresh take to the canon'
It's in some pretty great company (Julian Barnes! Ali Smith! Others too!)
inews.co.uk/culture/book...
'Thoughtful rather than fan-driven, it adds a fresh take to the canon'
It's in some pretty great company (Julian Barnes! Ali Smith! Others too!)
inews.co.uk/culture/book...
The best new books to read in January 2026
From the return of great novelists to incisive non-fiction, here's our pick of 14 new reads to enjoy this month
inews.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Very happy to see my book recommended by @theipaper.com as one of their top January reads
'Thoughtful rather than fan-driven, it adds a fresh take to the canon'
It's in some pretty great company (Julian Barnes! Ali Smith! Others too!)
inews.co.uk/culture/book...
'Thoughtful rather than fan-driven, it adds a fresh take to the canon'
It's in some pretty great company (Julian Barnes! Ali Smith! Others too!)
inews.co.uk/culture/book...
Thanks Amber; also, happy new year!
January 3, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Thanks Amber; also, happy new year!