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danimacuk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
This biography is comprehensive and heartbreaking. It details the struggles Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain faced throughout his life with honesty
and compassion.
A must-read for those interested in the intersections of class, addiction, fame, and family.
and compassion.
A must-read for those interested in the intersections of class, addiction, fame, and family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Classism, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Grief, and Vomit
Minor: Animal cruelty, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Violence
ericat7's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
natewolf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Drug use
benedettal's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good biography, felt very thorough and even truthful, while obviously being written by a fan. It gives some very interesting insights into the inner workings of the band, especially in the early days. Obviously it would have been better if Dave Grohl had contributed, his absence is huge and made it feel like he was a more remote part of it all, which is probably not accurate. But it makes sense, this being a Kurt Cobain, rather than Nirvana biography.
I guess the thing that felt most jarring was the way the writing felt quite childish in certain parts, like certain intimate moments and things during the teenage blunder years were just a bit nasty and didn’t need to be written like that. It felt a bit invasive and almost exploitative, but mostly just childish as I said. Anyway, it doesn’t take a away from the merits of trying to trace the trajectory of a very short and full life. It really made me nostalgic for a time I never really knew, and for my own memories attached to this music.
I guess the thing that felt most jarring was the way the writing felt quite childish in certain parts, like certain intimate moments and things during the teenage blunder years were just a bit nasty and didn’t need to be written like that. It felt a bit invasive and almost exploitative, but mostly just childish as I said. Anyway, it doesn’t take a away from the merits of trying to trace the trajectory of a very short and full life. It really made me nostalgic for a time I never really knew, and for my own memories attached to this music.
smartasfrankeinstein's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
doritobabe's review against another edition
5.0
I've owned this book since I was 18 or 19 years old and it sat on my shelf, moving around with me and all the while still not being read. I have no excuse for not touching this book until now, except for what I often refer to as my "media anxiety".
I've been a fan of Kurt Cobain since ever I can remember. The first time I saw him on MTV was exciting. I remember listening to In Utero on family car trips outside the city (much to my mother's chagrin) and huddling around my archaic 5-disc CD player in the basement, scribbling away in journals listening to Nirvana and Hole endlessly. In short - I have been a fan and follower of the man and the band for quite some time.
Charles Cross's biography of Kurt Cobain attempts an objective telling of the man's life from birth to death - a short 27 years. It is evident, however, that Cross is as emotionally invested in Cobain as a human and an artist ultimately allowing this biography to read well with inoffensive liberties in interpretation. Throughout the text Cross drives home that Kurt and Kurdt are two different people; Cobain cultivated an outward persona and personal history for himself that became urban legend in the 90s (and, let's face it, until most of the truth came out).
The unfortunate thing for fans of Kurt's music, readers of biographies, conspiracy texts, and even [b:Journals|58547|Journals|Kurt Cobain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388192877l/58547._SX50_.jpg|57016] - much is left to interpretation still. Likely inaccurately. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for Cobain's enduring and enchanting legacy. The mythos allows itself (and the man) to be interpreted widely and therefore relatable. Whether or not this was Cobain's intent, we will never really know.
That being said - I did read this book in conjunction with the [b:Journals|58547|Journals|Kurt Cobain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388192877l/58547._SX50_.jpg|57016]. It was engrossing on a whole other level to read Kurt's own hand with such a strong interpretation done by Cross. What a thrill it was to be able to put dates to certain entries, or unsent letters, and fully understand more of the context around what was being written and why. Definitely recommend the experience.
However, by the end of the journals + biography read-a-long, I wonder if the dates of the release of Cross's biography and the select, published journals were done on purpose. Was this a marketing decision? It seems too serendipitous to be otherwise.
Anyway - I will keep this biography on my shelf for many more years to come, and through many moves. Cobain as a man and an artist speaks to me and will remain close to my heart for many reasons and I feel pleased that such a kind interpretation of his life was written by Cross.
I've been a fan of Kurt Cobain since ever I can remember. The first time I saw him on MTV was exciting. I remember listening to In Utero on family car trips outside the city (much to my mother's chagrin) and huddling around my archaic 5-disc CD player in the basement, scribbling away in journals listening to Nirvana and Hole endlessly. In short - I have been a fan and follower of the man and the band for quite some time.
Charles Cross's biography of Kurt Cobain attempts an objective telling of the man's life from birth to death - a short 27 years. It is evident, however, that Cross is as emotionally invested in Cobain as a human and an artist ultimately allowing this biography to read well with inoffensive liberties in interpretation. Throughout the text Cross drives home that Kurt and Kurdt are two different people; Cobain cultivated an outward persona and personal history for himself that became urban legend in the 90s (and, let's face it, until most of the truth came out).
The unfortunate thing for fans of Kurt's music, readers of biographies, conspiracy texts, and even [b:Journals|58547|Journals|Kurt Cobain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388192877l/58547._SX50_.jpg|57016] - much is left to interpretation still. Likely inaccurately. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for Cobain's enduring and enchanting legacy. The mythos allows itself (and the man) to be interpreted widely and therefore relatable. Whether or not this was Cobain's intent, we will never really know.
That being said - I did read this book in conjunction with the [b:Journals|58547|Journals|Kurt Cobain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388192877l/58547._SX50_.jpg|57016]. It was engrossing on a whole other level to read Kurt's own hand with such a strong interpretation done by Cross. What a thrill it was to be able to put dates to certain entries, or unsent letters, and fully understand more of the context around what was being written and why. Definitely recommend the experience.
However, by the end of the journals + biography read-a-long, I wonder if the dates of the release of Cross's biography and the select, published journals were done on purpose. Was this a marketing decision? It seems too serendipitous to be otherwise.
Anyway - I will keep this biography on my shelf for many more years to come, and through many moves. Cobain as a man and an artist speaks to me and will remain close to my heart for many reasons and I feel pleased that such a kind interpretation of his life was written by Cross.