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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
I feel like the first 20-30% of the book, maybe up to the formation of Steel Mill really hits. The story of growing up in south Jersey in the 60s - or perhaps a caricature of it - a place where a Greaser dance-off might break out at any moment and a young Bruce teaches himself to play on a dime store guitar, explains the source of the next 40 years of Springsteen music. After that the spell is broken and the band drama, life drama, and song analysis that follows didn't interest me much.
If I was as thoughtful, articulate, and as interesting as Bruce Springsteen is, I'd undoubtedly be able to write a better review than this. All I can say is that I was sucked in from the get-go on one man's American journey.
There are some moments of insightful writing, but mostly I've tremendously enjoyed my current pattern of listening to memoirs of different cultural touchstones on audiobook while I get ready, drive, can't sleep etc.
The most honest autobiography I've read so far, and the only one I can remember where the author talks about mental illness openly and honestly. Those parts made me cry a bit when I was reading them, it was scary how much of myself I found in these descriptions.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I had to pause at one point and research if Bruce had ever written a novel. If you're a fan of his music, the quality of his writing comes as no surprise, and yet many times in this book did I feel so captivated by style that I forgot it was nonfiction. His life and perspective are both fascinating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, War
Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, Dementia
Wow, what a sensitive and thoughtful guy. So beautiful - Bruce's story and writing are inspiring and true.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
to be honest, i thought this book was exhilierating. by my own accord! (meaningful to those in my life who understand the role springsteen has held throughout my 21 years of living). growing up on almost exclusively bruce springsteen (with a healthy splattering of the stones, tragically hip, and buddy guy), it was my destiny that this book would fall into my hands at some point. and in comparison, when we look at the stereotypical "rock star"'s life, springsteen's may be considered "boring" (little drugs, booze, and shenanigans -- no recorded instances of biting of other people like the 80s hair metal groups tended to do) but is simply just so incredibly human. i also really enjoyed his writing -- but who's surprised, with the lyrics this man has! forever cemented in my mind as one of the most underrated rock stars of western music: he is more than just the bandana wearing / courtney cox dancing partner radio guy than many think. please, i implore you, give him a chance!