Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain

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Summary: Kurdt's Epitaph
Review: This biography flows like a good novel should - the difference is the information is (supposedly) not concocted. Even though Cobain often exagerrated tales, their more truthful counterparts are no less stirring. For example, when Cobain's mother disposes of her boyfriend's gun collection, he takes the guns and pawns them for the money to buy a Fender amplifier - taking "redneck" material and turning it into "punk-rock swords." The novel documents the rise of the band from start to finish, all the while keeping Cobain human, portraying his strengths and weaknesses alike, without diluting the artistic genius he posessed. The chapter titles are a bit pretentious, and as well, the final chapter is entirely fabricated, albeit based on potentially true events; however, all in all Cross's book is envigorating, and along with Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna's "The Nirvana Years" and "Journals" itself, provides a powerful voice on the Cobain story.

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Summary: Smoldering Wreckage
Review: This new biography may well be definitive, it just might set the standard for Cobain studies; but I for one believe that if something's not worth doing, it's not worth doing well. So just as it's impossible for me to get excited over a spectacular tattoo or the latest cutting-edge developments in nose-piercing technology, I have trouble taking seriously anything having to do with Kurt Cobain. He was a fraud, a petty nihilist, and a symptom of decline. Nothing more. Why did I read the book then, you ask? For purposes of cultural diagnosis.

Rating:
Summary: good
Review: this was a great story and it told the truth leading up to cobains trgic suicide.

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Summary: I've read better
Review: Cross is unquestionably a great writer with a knack for weaving an interesting story -Unfortunately, stories involving the life of Kurt Cobain (often, thanks to Kurt himself) are so convoluted that much of it must be taken with a grain of salt. Too many books on the Cobain's contradict eachother and themselves, and sadly, this one is no different.
Different things bothered me when reading the book, such as Cross' flagrant use of artistic licence -as if imply a greater knowledge of things no one should know -a fly on the wall, if you will...
Other annoyances, for example, appeared as misprinted lyrics for the *unreleased Nirvana song, You Know You're Right (*at the time of the books publication).
If you're a sucker for second-hand stories, tall tales, mixed in with some well known facts, then this book is for you!

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing
Review: This book is truly one of the great rockumentaries of all time. Kurt Cobain was an amazing guy to read about. The struggles through being a teenager are amazing. This book covers everything from the day he was born, when he lost his virginity, trouble in school, fights, drug abuse, and music and of course the famous Cobain suicide. This book is nothing short of a masterpiece. I would give it more stars if I could. If you were a fan of Nirvana then you have to get this book.
My opinion... this is the greatest book about Kurt Cobain out there.

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Summary: Kobain's complete life story
Review: I think that this book not only tells the story of Kurt Cobain's life (and Kurdt Kobain) but Cross interprets some of Kurt's letters and journal entries to try and help you feel what he was going through and why he took the actions he did. I think this is a very well written book, though very sad.

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Summary: MY FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME!
Review: Never before have I found a more complete, honest and engaging biography about Kurt Cobain. Cross does an excellent job of delving deeper below the factual surface to examine Cobain's life from a psychological perspective. I found myself crying, laughing, feeling angry and then just simply awed all throughout reading this book. Although I always wish I had been able to know Kurt personally, this book makes me feel as if I had.

Rating:
Summary: Everything I Wanted to Know, Plus a Little More
Review: Heavier Than Heaven is the best of the Kurt Cobain biographies that I have read, and I've read quite a few of them. It tells what Kurt's life was like before Nirvana made it big and after. It is an incredibly detailed account of his life. For those of us who idolize him, it shows us how human he actually was. A must read for any Nirvana, rock or punk fan.

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Summary: The best book i've ever read
Review: I must say, this is the best book that i have ever read in my entire life, it makes you understand more about Kurt and the life of himself and the life of Nirvana, this is a must have for the Kurt Cobain/Nirvana fan.*****

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Summary: Beautifully written haunting story of Kurt Cobain
Review: I have to say "Heavier Than Heaven" and "Come As You Are" are two of the best books written about Kurt Cobain. Charles R. Cross has a talent for writing, and uses that talent in describing the life of the late Kurt Cobain. Cobain is seen as a lost soul, always looking for somewhere to belong. In the end Cobain found that he only belonged to heaven-- yet he was 'Heavier than Heaven' in life and death. Cobain's legacy will live on, and has lived on for years after his death. This book is an indepth look at Kurt's childhood and life, all the way up to his suicide. The book lets you decide what really happened- but also invokes emotion with Kurt's passing. The final pages of the book brought tears to my eyes.. it not only dealt with the tradgedy and senselessness of Kurt's death, but also dealt with the human side of the larger than life rock star. A rock star-- something Kurt never truly wanted to be, yet he always searched to belong...