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affectionatelyrs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.25
i absolutely love kurt’s writings and i think he was much smarter than he or anyone else gave him credit for, but i also feel as if much of this (or all of it) shouldn’t have been published. there’s an entry where he’s expressing frustration about people stealing his journals and invading his thoughts. is this book not just another instance of this? as much as it was wonderful to look into the mind of an amazing musician, i question the ethics of this and i feel very sorry for what he had to fight alone.
shad0wm0ses's review against another edition
3.0
while it was nice to sit and read things about the formation of nirvana and see kurt’s thought process when he was writing, so much of this feels like it shouldn’t have been published. yes, kurt says he wants the reader to ‘figure him out’ but a lot of these entries feel like a cry for help. it’s devastating. i feel like it was kind of insensitive to release it to the public when it was clear how much he was struggling. almost like it’s being glorifed? idk. just my thoughts.
spectracommunist's review against another edition
5.0
This is the most postmodern thing that I've read so far.
And this is one of the definitive literature of our times.
And this is one of the definitive literature of our times.
kimberelina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Eating disorder, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Drug abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Cultural appropriation, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Abortion, Addiction, Violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Cursing, and Classism
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Antisemitism, and Bullying
Minor: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Gun violence, and Acephobia/Arophobia
blondierocket's review against another edition
4.0
A non-fiction book filled with photocopies of journal enties, sketches, lists, song lyrics, etc. from the life of Kurt Cobain before his death in 1994.
It’s quite an easy read and very intriguing to see the process he went through, his journey into rock-n-roll stardom and even his inner thoughts which could have very well led right up to or be hinting at his suicide.
Not often does a musician or anyone famous leave behind such an intimate example of their life for others to read and understand. He was quite an artist which didn’t care about being famous. He hated the attention but he loved music and he wasn’t going to give it up just because reporters were around. He details his drug use, his relationships, his daughter, and his struggle to live and strive in a world full of negativity and change.
It’s quite an easy read and very intriguing to see the process he went through, his journey into rock-n-roll stardom and even his inner thoughts which could have very well led right up to or be hinting at his suicide.
Not often does a musician or anyone famous leave behind such an intimate example of their life for others to read and understand. He was quite an artist which didn’t care about being famous. He hated the attention but he loved music and he wasn’t going to give it up just because reporters were around. He details his drug use, his relationships, his daughter, and his struggle to live and strive in a world full of negativity and change.
eghimire_'s review against another edition
A sensitive, but tortured soul. I knew nothing of Cobain prior to this, nor ever listened Nirvana growing up. One of his entries, he’s so angry that someone stole few of his journals - moments written from his time at the mental hospital, concert tours, and lyrics. I can’t imagine that this publication is something he would have ever wanted to come to fruition. So yeah, I feel weird to say I loved reading this, to better understand the inner world of Kurdt. I’m sad that heroin took control of his life, in his effort trying to manage horrid stomach pains, the stress of the tabloids, the upheaval of his previous life into this new one as a demi god punk rock icon, with voices constantly yelling at you as to who you are or aren’t. When you’re in the midst of trauma and emotional pain, the harder you fight against it, the stronger it lives in the depths of your mind. It’s almost as if you’ve made a shallow cut on the neck that slowly oozes, and each time a scab appears - you peel it off again so the wound never heals. That’s how I see Cobain and his emotional turmoil in the last few years of his life. And he would’ve hated my psychological analysis nonetheless.
doritobabe's review against another edition
I first read this when it was initially published.
I re-read this now as a supplementary piece to [b:Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain|1149440|Heavier Than Heaven A Biography of Kurt Cobain|Charles R. Cross|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348289083l/1149440._SY75_.jpg|1136908].
One cannot review something as deeply personal as these (select) writings. Word on the street is that Cobain didn't want these to see the light of day, but Love made the decision to have them published.
We are judging if we rate. Just feel the words and cherish them as they are private thoughts and plans and feelings -- unguarded in a way that most readers are unfamiliar with, but are likely to practice for themselves.
I re-read this now as a supplementary piece to [b:Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain|1149440|Heavier Than Heaven A Biography of Kurt Cobain|Charles R. Cross|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348289083l/1149440._SY75_.jpg|1136908].
One cannot review something as deeply personal as these (select) writings. Word on the street is that Cobain didn't want these to see the light of day, but Love made the decision to have them published.
We are judging if we rate. Just feel the words and cherish them as they are private thoughts and plans and feelings -- unguarded in a way that most readers are unfamiliar with, but are likely to practice for themselves.
ancoetsu's review against another edition
3.0
i skimmed through most of this book, but as far as reading every line, that will be something that i do over the next 10 years or so. he was an excellent artist and devoted to making music. if you see it laying on my coffee table some day when you visit, pick it up and leaf through it.