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thatgreenwitchmagic's review against another edition
5.0
The book is good, infuriating and sad. It really takes you into Kurt’s troubled mind through his journals and interviews of the people around him.
shelbymarie516's review
4.0
Very dark, heavy material. I don't know enough to have a true opinion but I do believe Courtney Love could have done more to save him. On the other hand if he was trying to die he was going to find a way. I believe Courtney and Kurt were fuel for each others tendencies to abuse drugs and run from reality. I don't know if I think Courtney had a hand in his death on purpose but maybe she was oblivious to the damage happening due to her own storm of mental issues and drugs. Also, you cannot tell me he was not molested as a child. So sad, I cannot imagine the torment his own mind wreaked on him or what his family went through.
finch_kid's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Chronic illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Mental illness, and Addiction
pt105's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book which looks into the intriguing, yet depressing world inside Kurt Cobain. A must read for anyone who loves Cobain, Nirvana, or Seattle grunge.
rebecanunez's review
4.0
"Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain" de Charles R. Cross es una exploración profunda y conmovedora de la vida del icónico líder de Nirvana. Publicada en 2001, la biografía ofrece una visión detallada de la complejidad de Kurt Cobain, desde sus humildes comienzos en Aberdeen, Washington, hasta su ascenso meteórico como figura central del movimiento grunge y su trágico final.
La obra de Cross se destaca por su exhaustiva investigación y acceso a fuentes cercanas a Cobain, incluidos amigos, familiares y el propio músico. La narrativa, a pesar de abordar momentos oscuros y a veces dolorosos, está impregnada de empatía y comprensión hacia el sujeto, proporcionando una perspectiva completa y matizada de su vida.
La estructura de la biografía sigue un formato cronológico que abarca desde la infancia de Cobain hasta su tumultuosa adolescencia, el ascenso de Nirvana al estrellato y los desafíos personales y profesionales que enfrentó. Cross destaca los elementos clave que influyeron en Cobain, incluidas sus relaciones familiares, sus luchas con la fama y las presiones del éxito.
El retrato de Cobain en "Heavier Than Heaven" es multidimensional. Aunque se centra en su genio musical y su impacto cultural, también aborda sus batallas personales, incluida su lucha contra las adicciones y su relación complicada con la fama. La biografía busca comprender y contextualizar la complejidad de Cobain como artista y ser humano.
La prosa de Cross es cautivadora y evocadora, permitiendo a los lectores sumergirse en la mente de Cobain y sentir la intensidad de sus experiencias. Las descripciones de la música, los conciertos y los momentos íntimos proporcionan una narrativa rica y envolvente que captura la esencia del espíritu creativo de Cobain.
"Heavier Than Heaven" también destaca el entorno cultural y musical de la década de 1990, situando la vida de Cobain en el contexto de la escena grunge y los cambios sociales de la época. La obra aborda el impacto duradero de Nirvana y la figura de Cobain en la cultura popular.
En resumen, "Heavier Than Heaven" es una biografía exhaustiva y conmovedora que rinde homenaje a la complejidad de Kurt Cobain. Charles R. Cross logra equilibrar la objetividad con la empatía, ofreciendo a los lectores una mirada profunda a la vida de un ícono musical cuyo legado sigue resonando en la cultura contemporánea.
La obra de Cross se destaca por su exhaustiva investigación y acceso a fuentes cercanas a Cobain, incluidos amigos, familiares y el propio músico. La narrativa, a pesar de abordar momentos oscuros y a veces dolorosos, está impregnada de empatía y comprensión hacia el sujeto, proporcionando una perspectiva completa y matizada de su vida.
La estructura de la biografía sigue un formato cronológico que abarca desde la infancia de Cobain hasta su tumultuosa adolescencia, el ascenso de Nirvana al estrellato y los desafíos personales y profesionales que enfrentó. Cross destaca los elementos clave que influyeron en Cobain, incluidas sus relaciones familiares, sus luchas con la fama y las presiones del éxito.
El retrato de Cobain en "Heavier Than Heaven" es multidimensional. Aunque se centra en su genio musical y su impacto cultural, también aborda sus batallas personales, incluida su lucha contra las adicciones y su relación complicada con la fama. La biografía busca comprender y contextualizar la complejidad de Cobain como artista y ser humano.
La prosa de Cross es cautivadora y evocadora, permitiendo a los lectores sumergirse en la mente de Cobain y sentir la intensidad de sus experiencias. Las descripciones de la música, los conciertos y los momentos íntimos proporcionan una narrativa rica y envolvente que captura la esencia del espíritu creativo de Cobain.
"Heavier Than Heaven" también destaca el entorno cultural y musical de la década de 1990, situando la vida de Cobain en el contexto de la escena grunge y los cambios sociales de la época. La obra aborda el impacto duradero de Nirvana y la figura de Cobain en la cultura popular.
En resumen, "Heavier Than Heaven" es una biografía exhaustiva y conmovedora que rinde homenaje a la complejidad de Kurt Cobain. Charles R. Cross logra equilibrar la objetividad con la empatía, ofreciendo a los lectores una mirada profunda a la vida de un ícono musical cuyo legado sigue resonando en la cultura contemporánea.
iamninjabuni's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
2.0
The author took a lot of liberties, especially at the end, when there is no definitive way to know where Cobain was or what he was up to during his last few days. Even the police and hired private investigators could not determine the timeline. The story he tells of the last moments of Kurt's life is especially frustrating because it is entirely made up, giving feelings and actions that the author could not know. Charles Cross also seems to have some distain for Kurt and often frames him as a bratty, whiney, entitled child. And maybe he was, but that's not what I came here to read. I was looking for something a little more objective with stories rooted in fact.
Learning (after the fact) that this is the Courtney Love Approved tale of events also docked some stars. I should have known by how little Dave Grohl is mentioned throughout the book and by the way the author doesn't seem to have any quotes from him at all. Their feud is more legendary than Kurts parent's divorce (see what I did there?). When Grohl is mentioned it is usually to say he was about to be kicked out of the band, which does not gel with any other accounts of the Nirvana story.
I guess we will never get a completely real telling of Cobain's life. This book gave a good picture of his early years, but the final narrative reeks of outside influence and trying to save face.
Learning (after the fact) that this is the Courtney Love Approved tale of events also docked some stars. I should have known by how little Dave Grohl is mentioned throughout the book and by the way the author doesn't seem to have any quotes from him at all. Their feud is more legendary than Kurts parent's divorce (see what I did there?). When Grohl is mentioned it is usually to say he was about to be kicked out of the band, which does not gel with any other accounts of the Nirvana story.
I guess we will never get a completely real telling of Cobain's life. This book gave a good picture of his early years, but the final narrative reeks of outside influence and trying to save face.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Addiction, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Mental illness