Preview
  • Divided Soul

  • The Life of Marvin Gaye
  • By: David Ritz
  • Narrated by: Dion Graham
  • Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (935 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Divided Soul

By: David Ritz
Narrated by: Dion Graham
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.00

Buy for $20.00

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

In this intimate biography of the Prince of Soul, David Ritz provides a candid look at a star and a friend. Ritz had been collaborating with Marvin Gaye on his story for several years before the singer's tragic death and had conducted a series of extraordinary interviews in which Gaye discussed his deepest secrets. What emerges is a full-scale portrait of a charming but tortured artist, a brilliant singer with a divided soul.

Here is Marvin's story, from his early years in the slums of Washington, D.C. to his rise to the top of the Motown industry, his fall from grace, his comeback, and finally his sudden, shocking end at the hands of his own father. It is also the story of his glorious music and the music of Black America over the past 50 years, an epic tale whose cast of characters includes Diana Ross, Berry Gordie, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder.

©1991 David Ritz (P)1995 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"[David Ritz] tells Marvin Gaye's sorrowful story with remarkable insight and sensitivity....Divided Soul is often startlingly candid, but it manages to avoid lurid sensationalism, no mean feat given the particulars of the story: sex, drugs, child abuse, show business scandal." ( The Nation)

What listeners say about Divided Soul

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    639
  • 4 Stars
    200
  • 3 Stars
    75
  • 2 Stars
    15
  • 1 Stars
    6
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    570
  • 4 Stars
    158
  • 3 Stars
    61
  • 2 Stars
    16
  • 1 Stars
    7
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    581
  • 4 Stars
    152
  • 3 Stars
    60
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    8

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

missing music

A good listen but some interdisperssed music would have made it a better listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Insight Into A Brilliant But Troubled Artist

I enjoyed the book and was somewhat shocked about Mr. Gaye's lifelong struggles with relationships, self-esteem, finances and the overall business of music. His father was portrayed as a vile, hateful and lazy man who felt entitled to be supported by his wife (a maid) and his famous son while treating them both badly and acting as a tyrannical dictator. Having been basically terrorized by his father (while his mother sat weakly on the sidelines) his confidence and self worth were destroyed early in life. It's no surprise he was heavily emotionally damaged and spiraled down a self-destructive path. It's just too bad he couldn't or wouldn't get help.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Marvin Gaye

This was such a sad audible on this great legend. I never realize he was as going through all this pain his entire life. If only he was able to get the help sooner then we could of been listening to such great music from him. I am disappointed in Berry Gordy. Such great legends. A before his time.

This was great legend! Love his music.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Troubled Soul

What a tramatic story of life! MG was an extremely talented, his life, through music no doubt touched so many lives.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Marvin was a real dude!! A tug of war of a man. G

We all can learn from his life. I'm such a fan. Musical Genius, Yes

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Long Live The Legacy of Marvin Gaye

From start to finish this was an excellent book. It humanized Marvin, and gave us a deeper look into his successes and failures. His wins and losses. After listening to the book, I have a higher understanding, as well as appreciation, for the life and legacy of Marvin Gaye. Mental health is very important. Please protect your mental health. Love yourself as best as you can. And continue to fight the good fight! May Marvin Gaye’s spirit rest in peace.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Sad Truth

I love reading biographies of people who I admire for their talent or service to others.
The author took me on a Rollercoaster of emotions.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exquisite Details

The author did a great job in taking the reader into the singer’s life, up close and personal. This was enhanced by the narrator, who was on point throughout the entire audiobook.

In regards to the actual content, I had a very primitive idea about Marvin’s life and his struggles. While listening to this audiobook I literally felt like I was going through time with him.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Marvin Gaye voice reading

This book was good but the narrator who read for Marvin was disturbing. Marvin Haye spoke very elegantly listening to this book the narrator who is speaking as Marvin makes him sound like a runaway slave and sometimes a laid back pimp from on of them movies in the 70s.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow I never knew

Very interesting and this book answers many questions. The book/listen sheds light on the complicated life of Marvin Gaye. His triumphs and epic failures absolutely love the story. May his trouble Soul Rest In Peace

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!