Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography Of Kurt Cobain - Charles Cross

Advantages: Informative, detailed in most respects, a good read
Disadvantages: Author's psychoanalytical agenda gets in the way of the facts

Kurt Cobain has been one of the most written about musicians in contemporary culture. A huge following and unrelenting fascination - compounded by his tragic suicide in 1994 - has made Cobain a universal icon. ‘Heavier Than Heaven’ written by author and music magazine editor Charles R. Cross, was published in 2001, after a period of great hype and speculation. The biography covers Cobain’s life from childhood to his death, and ...
...There is one major difference between this biography and previous books written about Cobain: the biographer had had vital input (and blessing) from Cobain’s widow and head of estate, Courtney Love. Always at the center of some controversy, Love lent Cross Cobain’s 120-something personal journals (which are now a publication in their own right) to aid his research. An advantage, surely? A big advert definitely, making ‘Heavier Than ... Read review

Advantages: Gripping, informative, brilliant!
Disadvantages: Depressing, unsuitable for bedtime reading to small children

Heavier than Heaven tells, in remarkable and graphic detail, the story of the short life of 90’s rock legend Kurt Cobain. It contains everything you ever wanted to know about Cobain, giving you a unique insight into his life. This is no fairytale. God knows there is no happy ending. But it really is an enthralling story. After reading the first few years of Kurt's life, I was gripped, I really couldn't put it down. It is dark and gruesome in places, ...
...disturbing. One extract quoted in Heavier than Heaven describes Kurt's loneliness: "Friends who I can talk to and hang out and have fun with, just like I've always dreamed, we could talk about books and politics and vandalize at night, want to? Huh? Hey, I can't stop pulling my hair out! Please! God damn, Jesus f**king Christ Almighty, love me, me, me, we could go on a trial basis, please I don't care if it's the out-of-the-in-crowd, I just need ... Read review

Advantages: Informative and riveting
Disadvantages: Can be depressing at times and often very graphic

People might think I'm a little young to be a Nirvana fan (being born in '86) but having a dad who's a bit of a hippy and thinks he's 10 years younger than he is (in the nicest way of course! He's young at heart and I love him!), I grew up listening to Nirvana and other great music and his taste is still good now in his middle age! So, I loved Nirvana since I was toddler and then about a year and a half ago, I got really into them... Since then, ...
...My RE teacher (don't laugh - she's really young and incredibly groovey and lovely!) is also a massive fan and so she bought the biography within the week it came out. By the week after, I had my hands on it... This new biography of Kurt Cobain is a MUST read for anyone who calls themself a Kurt and/or Nirvana fan; and it would be really fascinating for non-fans too. I was riveted from page one and it gives real insight into the mega-star's life ... Read review

Advantages: very well written with interviews with friends and family
Disadvantages: might be seen crying at the end so have tissues at theready.

Heavier then Heaven. From the back of the book, Kurt Cobain's life and death fast became rock 'n' roll legend. The world wide success of his band Nirvana, defined the music scene in the early 1990's and there songs spoke to and for a generation. Music journalist Charles cross a veteran of the Seattle music scene relates this extraordinary story of artistic brilliance and the Pain that extinguished it. Heavier the Heaven is the definitive life of ...
...geniuses. Ok so after reading the book I wouldn't Agree with the statement on the back cover. My personal opinion of Kurt Cobain changed little after leaning about him, however I'm not here to dictate my music taste I'm here to review this book. The book was written by music journalist Charles Cross who lived near the gun shop were Kurt Cobain bought the Remington shotgun he used to kill him self in 1994. With over 400 interviews to back up his ... Read review

Kurt Cobain. Everybody knows the name. Everybody knows the face. 'Heavier Than Heaven' is a nice insight for even the most casual of readers. It has interviews with Cobain's family and friends, and is not biast towards any groups. However, towards the end Charles R Cross seems to cross the fact to fiction line and enter a stage where he is simply making the story up. He somehow knows what Kurt Cobain was doing within minutes of his tragic end. An enjoyable book, but I wouldn't let every work sink in.