Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain

Rating:
Summary: A history of the man, not the musician
Review: On the back of my copy of HTH, Lynn Barber of the Daily Telegraph states, 'Heavier than Heaven is, or should be, the last word on Cobain.'

Well, having read this book I would have to disagree, not through desire for unceasing Cobain literature but simply because I don't think it is the definitive account.
Cross simply ignores too much of what made Cobain a household name - his music. In this sense the book is almost made solely for fans of Nirvana because those who are not familiar with his music will be left wondering how or why he galvanised such strong support as a musician and icon. For those who listen/have listened to his songs with interest it is a case of cryptically matching the music with the events of his life that are described in this book. Occasionally Cross will seek to uncover song origins and meanings, for example in a diary excerpt Cobain writes about dossing at friends houses in his late teens, 'it amazes me the will of instinct' in reference to his own will to survive the adversity of his predicament, this is also a line from Polly which Cross points out to us but such references to songs are rare, the only other example being a few discarded lines from his original draft of Smells Like Teen Spirit. Of the entire Nevermind album Cross writes that it was inspired by Cobains obsession with Toby Vail of Bikini Kill; really the entire album? I think not.
For a journalist who had seemingly unfettered access to Cobains documents he seems to have ignored much of the music side of Cobain.

Granted, HTH it is a well written analysis of the man and goes a long way towards explaining his demise yet offers very few clues as to how he amassed such an amazing body of work. Tales of Cobains broken but mostly unremarkable childhood are rarely revelatory in this book and are if anything a novelty for the fan. Observations of his wife an marriage give her such leverage as a person she is almost deified, is this the real Courtney? The reader should be advised to take much of Cross's prose with a pinch of salt in matters of Cobains relationship with his other half whom Cross used as his primary source.
In general terms to have read HTH is to understand Cobains suffering and petiness but not a lot else.
Perhaps the 'last word' or definitive account need not be written by a jounalist but someone who worked professionally with Kurt (Courtney discounted) who shared a music/business friendship with him, obviously his bandmates qualify but there are others too.
HTH is a good account of an individual hellbent on self destruction and not a lot else, I would be prepared to read one more biog if it meant understanding a great songwriter/musician.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible Storytelling...
Review: I'm an avid reader, and I can honestly tell you that this biography is more interesting than most novels I've ever read. The author does such an amazing job telling the story of Kurt Cobain, that you don't have to be a fan to enjoy it.

The author knows that Cobain wasn't perfect, but obviously respects him as an artist. I can even begin to explain how well written this book is, Nirvana fan or not Charles Cross is obviously a very talented author and has managed to write superb book.

Rating:
Summary: I really don't know what to say...
Review: Just today I finished this book...I sat in utter silence for 5 minutes after I finished reading just staring at the last sentence of the last chapter: "And then he was gone." My real purpose is honestly not to review this book, I just want to say that it's perhaps the most beautiful, haunting thing I've ever read. A person having no idea in the world who Kurt Cobain is would be floored by his story. If you've been thinking about reading it, please do it. It'll be the best 15 bucks you ever spent. I know I'll never forget it. Wow.

Rating:
Summary: You'll never deny they were ROCK GODS again...
Review: When Nirvana first hit the music scene (and I mean popular music scene), I thought "what horrible music" and "another one-hit wonder." It wasn't until I found true rock (and by "true" I mean Pink Floyd and The Doors) that I also found Nirvana.

In reading "Heavier Than Heaven," you can find the same - if you haven't already found it by listening to Kurt Cobain's haunting, tortured voice on the track "You Know You're Right" or by looking into his crystal-clear blue eyes while high on heroin performing MTV Unplugged.

In Cross's biography, researched for more years than I have loved them, Nirvana and Cobain are seen through the eyes of those who glorified them as well as those who still don't respect or understand them. That, I believe, is what makes this a terrific biography - the fact that it reads like a novel makes it a terrific read.

Rating:
Summary: Tragic
Review: When I think of Kurt Cobain and his life, all that comes to mind is the tragedy of it all; not of his suicide, but the tragedy of the millions of dullards who continue to deify this musical charlatan.