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jackmacpw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
felicitylouise's review against another edition
5.0
Like Adam Cullen, my first artistic revelation came in the form of Goya's dystopian nightmares on paper. Unlike Adam Cullen, I did not develop a crippling heroin addiction, collect weapons, win the Archibald Prize or shoot any of my friends. Jensen's portrait of a possibly great Australian artist dwelling on the fringe of society is gripping. At 188 pages it is all killer and no filler, with an emphasis on killer. The author is brave, reckless, and a brilliant writer. Highly recommended.
rowena_wiseman's review against another edition
5.0
After reading all the press over the weekend, and a friend chatting to me about this new Adam Cullen book ... I was really curious. So I borrowed the Gallery's copy where I work, thanks Black Inc for sending us this, put aside everything else I was reading and devoured Acute Misfortune in two days. It's compelling reading because Cullen was such an interesting character, he could not have painted a more complex portrait himself. He's a Peter Pan, a boy that never wanted to grow up, he's reckless, irresponsible, rude and believes in his own myth. Years of drug addiction and alcoholism have crippled his body and screwed his mind. Add into the mix an Archibald Prize win and politicians, Gallery Directors and everyone else who excuse his behaviour because he is an 'artist', and he's a walking time bomb.
But the really interesting story, for me, was Jensen's. An up and coming journalist who was invited to live with Adam on the pretense of writing his biography. Jensen writes in a non judgemental way, he presents the facts and lets the readers make up their own mind. And what I loved about this book, in particular, was that it's written by someone who really knew the subject and it's a recent history, it doesn't come across as if it's been peppered with assumption, hearsay or vague recollections - as so many biographies do.
Jensen deserves a medal for surviving living with Cullen and for writing this sympathetic yet powerful book.
But the really interesting story, for me, was Jensen's. An up and coming journalist who was invited to live with Adam on the pretense of writing his biography. Jensen writes in a non judgemental way, he presents the facts and lets the readers make up their own mind. And what I loved about this book, in particular, was that it's written by someone who really knew the subject and it's a recent history, it doesn't come across as if it's been peppered with assumption, hearsay or vague recollections - as so many biographies do.
Jensen deserves a medal for surviving living with Cullen and for writing this sympathetic yet powerful book.
khakipantsofsex's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
Minor: Biphobia and Gun violence
realalexmartin's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Cancer
Moderate: Animal death
The dude was an asshole so like he did and said asshole things.logenbarry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0
A quick read but a good read. It explores the complicated and often fraught character of Adam Cullen in a way that is both revealing and ambiguous. Sparse but poetic prose helps keep the story moving even though it is non-linear. Blunt but curious. Worth a read as it sparks lots of discussions.