Yoko: The Biography - David Sheff

In “Yoko: The Biography,” David Sheff details the work and life of a woman as universally known as publicly denounced. In reality, we know very little about Japanese-American artist Yoko Ono outside of her marriage to Lennon, but Sheff draws his knowledge from his friendship with her. Sheff’s relations with Ono are rooted in a Playboy interview with Lennon from the 1980s, which occurred just days before Lennon’s murder.

And yet–despite his deep connection with the artist–Sheff manages to limit his personal bias in his tellings. Yes, he highlights Ono’s strengths and artistic successes. But he doesn’t shy away from including her less celebrated publicity. 

This masterpiece spoke to me because we so rarely hear about Ono as a separate entity from Lennon. The story emphasizes her diverse talent in the arts and Ono’s astute sense for the business aspect. It filled me with awe to read about Ono’s triumphs, much in contrast to the world’s dismay for her.

Sheff begins his biography with Ono’s severe childhood neglect during WWII in Japan when she’s too sick to join her family in their bunker during severe bombings. It describes her connection with the United States despite the adversity the Japanese experienced in America. The narration continues on to Ono’s first marriage and birth of her daughter, Kyoko, before focusing intently on Ono’s artistic endeavors. When Ono meets Lennon at one of her exhibitions in London, the two connect and begin a life together that culminates in the birth of their son, Sean.

Sheff goes on to debunk the persistent myth that claims Ono broke up the Beatles. The book describes Lennon as already discordant with the band. Instead, Ono allegedly accompanied a disheartened Lennon to the recording of “Let It Be,” to encourage him to appear at all.

Equally to her credit, Ono is portrayed as having written “Imagine” together with Lennon, although it took until 2017 for her to receive recognition.

One of the most harrowing portions of the book was Ono’s grief around Lennon’s death. Her emotional devastation and journey away from the profound darkness enveloping her struck a deep chord with me. It reminded me that even the most renowned artists grapple with the same emotions all of us do. Sheff showed her difficult emergence from her deep sadness in beautiful prose that any of us might relate to.

Today, Ono is over ninety years old. Will we bury our hatchets and send her our most dignified respect for her lifetime in the world of avant-garde arts? I do hope so.

To be published on March 25, 2025.

Thank you Simon and Schuster for the invitation to review this Advance Reviewers’ Copy. It meant the world to review this outstanding manuscript.