Reviews

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

just_one_more_chapter_ok's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

As a fan of Springsteen this was an interesting read.  I didn't know about and wasn't expecting the honest accounting of mental health challenges and obstacles along with the successes. 
The book is beautifully written, the songwriter in him shines through. Every word is chosen with care.
He does an excellent job of narrating his story.

reneetdevine's review against another edition

3.0

Made is about 56% and decided to stop. I love Bruce Springsteen but his memoir wasn't pulling me in.

anitaashland's review against another edition

4.0

Reading this is like spending a day leisurely talking with an introspective, self-aware and creative friend. Of greatest interest to me were his details about his struggles with depression and 30 years of psychoanalysis. And his insights about storytelling. The reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that I skimmed large chunks of the first section of the book because there was too much detail about his childhood and early career. Overall, even if you aren't an avid Bruce fan I think you'll find this well worth the read.

barnesstorming's review against another edition

2.0

I love Springsteen and was eager to get my hands on this. The first third or so is very well-written with the same sort of wordsmithing that made him famous as a songwriter in the '70s. But right around where he gets to "Born to Run" and on, he discovered the CAPS-LOCK key, and the illusion was shattered for me. The writing gets pretty one-dimensional. 'I wanted to write an album about XXXX. These guys came/went in the band. We played to HUGE HOUSES and ROCKED 'EM OUT!' I'll always be a fan of his music, I think. But now I'm imagining how he probably texts emoji smileyfaces to Patti and the kids, and I may never recover.

derba17's review against another edition

4.0

When a 73 year old rock star is too relatable (I need half ratings on here, let me do 4.5 please Goodreads)

1928readingisfun's review against another edition

5.0

Wonderful read - Bruce is a really good writer!

johndiconsiglio's review against another edition

4.0

Who knew that the same chrome-wheeled, fuel-injected Boss penning muscular street operas about midnight gangs meeting 'neath giant Exxon signs secretly harbored aspirations to be a beat poet? There’s as much Allen Ginsberg as Johnny B. Goode in this ragtag, heart-felt memoir. Like a Bruce show, it’s long, energetic, kinda exhausting & holds nothing back. Hard to imagine another rock star writing with soul-searching honesty about his dad’s mental illness & his own depression. And there’s plenty of tramps-like-us for diehards. The car’s out back if you’re ready to take that long walk.

emckeon1002's review against another edition

4.0

I've read lots of rock bios, and this is one of the best. Springsteen's authorial voice seems authentic. He is truly able to convey his drive and inspiration, and the darker side of that drive when he plunges, regularly into depression. What I appreciated most was that it was about his life and music, but it was not a line by line explication of every song from every album. I think there was some, natural, avoidance about personal and family issues, but he didn't seem to flinch in revealing his own issues, or those he had with his father. He descends, occasionally, into psychobabble, and ponderous thoughts about rock 'n' roll, but he's a damned good writer, and a compelling storyteller.

caseysilk's review against another edition

5.0

I listened to this one and Bruce narrated it. If you are a Bruce fan I highly recommend you listen to it. You will have his voice in your ear for many hours and you will miss it when you are done. His journey really is so interesting and it was amazing to understand what was going on in his life when he wrote his songs. I finished this over a week ago and I am having trouble finding another book to listen to because this one was just that good.

knbee's review against another edition

5.0

Biiig Springsteen fan here, and while it's no surprise I loved this, it IS a surprise just how much I did, AND how much I think others will- big fans or not. Honest and sincere, he reveals all sides of himself, and the man definitely isn’t a saint, nor was he primed for the level of success he achieved. He makes sure the reader knows these things, which makes him all the more relatable and inspiring. Always entertaining, his stories will make you laugh, cry, and want to get back to it- whatever your ‘it’ is. Definitely give it a listen for full effect.