Heavier Than Heaven by Charles R. Cross
July 12th, 2008Title: Heavier Than Heaven
Author: Charles R. Cross
Publisher: Hyperion (2001)
ughhh…
That’s the best way I can think to describe the life of Kurt Cobain. Tragically sad. Almost everything about Kurt Cobain’s life (and death) is tragically sad. An awesome songwriter…and awesome musician…and unfortunately, an awesome heroin addict.
Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain is very well written and very in depth. It is obvious Cross took a lot of time to research everything before he put it on paper. I assume, like I do with most biographies, there are a few literary freedoms taken when describing things that happened when no one was there…but that’s OK with me.
Cobain, the singer/songwriter for the band Nirvana grew up in a loveless, unsympathetic home and surprisingly turned into a heroin addict. Yes, I am sure there are plenty of situations where people have grown up in that environment and haven’t become totally screwed up…but it seems to be that way. Cobain’s main goal in life was to become a famous musician. His second goal in life was to kill himself after he became a famous musician. So I guess he was successful.
While this book goes into great detail about Kurt Cobain’s life, I found it odd that Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl (now of Foo Fighters fame) was almost totally glossed over. There were no quotes from him, or anything of that sort. I know that Grohl has a HUGE problem with Courtney Love (Cobain’s wife), and maybe her involvement with the book kept him away. But it was disappointing not to hear what he had to say. Considering he was right in the line of fire through those years, it could have added a lot to the book.
The book was good and if you have an interest in Nirvana or Kurt Cobain or Seattle grunge music, you should probably give this book a try. Just be prepared to get a little depressed.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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July 12th, 2008 at 8:43 am
I have always been interested in Kurt Cobain’s life. I am going to have to have look this one up. I’m disappointed like you, though, that Dave Grohl is no where to be found. I’ve often felt he was the “sane” one in the mix. Thanks for the great review!
October 1st, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I’m going to have to disagree with your review. This book is definitely not a 3.5, but at least a 4.5, even though it leaves out a few quotes from the drummer and wife of Kurt Cobain.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:09 am
this book thorougly disgusted me…it was filled with fabrications of the events leading up to as well as long before kurts death…i made the mistake of buying this book 2 months after it came out in 2001..and looking back on it i thought it was a good book…but as i later found out its filled with lies and “Courtney-filled” crap and not one person ever knew what happened in those 10 days before kurt died…moreover in the 2 days after he left rehab..and before his body was foud….it never one time in that book mentions that someone stole kurts credit card and used it multiple times in the days before his body was found..this book also does not mention that the gun used in the so-called “suicide” wasnt checked for legible fingerprints until may 6th 1994, a month after kurt died…then his heartless wife sold his private journals for her own profit…both actions made me sick
December 25th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Michael Azerrad published “Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana.” The band members gave interviews and personal information to Azerrad specifically for the book. In 2006, Azerrad made a documentary about Cobain “Kurt Cobain About a Son” that consists entirely of taped conversations with Cobain. If you want to read factual information or listen to Kurt speak for himself, invest in these two options instead.
March 17th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
i would read it untill i found out courtney had something to do with it.
April 28th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
its unfornuate that c.cross let courtney have a hand in this and that he did not include Dave Grohl. Been a Son by M. Azerrad may be better, i wanna buy one idk which one yet
June 19th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
It’s a good book, a well written one. But you can see Courtney’s face through the pages.
June 28th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
im looking forward to buying it im a huge Nirvana lover<and it should be interesting to learn more about Kurt's death and life….
December 25th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Don’t waste your time on this book, It’s heavily influenced by Courtney Love’s version of the truth. I wish I would have known earlier.
May 4th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
If everyone hates this book so much, are there any suggestions for other biographies or something of the sort?
June 17th, 2011 at 12:49 am
i dont hate the book but i know already it has bullshit written all over it. I mean how is Dave Grohl no where in the book? I sounds like bullshit sorry and Dave probably wasn’t trying to kiss Courtney’s ass which lead up to this. I mean there are so truths in this bio and other’s I just don’t think this is how he story should be told as I fan I honestly feel like we are being cheated. I don’t know if Courtney killed that guy or not but I know he didn’t kill his self and I’m going to leave it at that.
June 17th, 2011 at 12:51 am
i dont hate the book but i know already it has bullshit written all over it. I mean how is Dave Grohl no where in the book? itsounds like bullshit sorry and Dave probably wasn’t trying to kiss Courtney’s ass which lead up to this. I mean there are so truths in this bio and other’s I just don’t think this is how his story should be told as a fan I honestly feel like we are being cheated. I don’t know if Courtney killed that guy or not but I know he didn’t kill his self and I’m going to leave it at that.
October 30th, 2011 at 4:48 am
This isn’t a biography about Kurt Cobain, it’s Kurt’s “story” the way Courtney Love wants it to be known. Mr. Cross, you’re book is an absolute disgrace, filled with lies and untruths, fabrications.Mr. Cross should be ashamed of himself for having his name on this work of fiction and being manipulated by Courtney Love. DO NOT BUY THIS PIECE OF SHIT BOOK!!
January 29th, 2012 at 8:46 am
One big question:- was krist involved with the book ?