Courtney Love: The Real Story

While the authenticity of every piece of information here is debatable, author Poppy Z. Brite acknowledges when matters are hearsay and whether or not she heard them from Courtney herself. Besides, Courtney is notorious for giving journalists inconsistent information, so there could not possibly be a "definitive" Courtney book unless Courtney herself wrote it.However, what distinguishes this Courtney Love biography from all the others is that Poppy actually built up a rapport with Courtney before composing this book (as she explains in the foreward), gaining Courtney's trust and go-ahead to compose this biography. Courtney has had an extremely interesting life, and this book follows in detail her days of stripping in Asia, becoming Kurt's widow, achieving great success with her breakthrough album 'Live Through This', and everything in between. No biographer could possibly be free of bias, and Poppy Z. Brite did get swept up in the pathos of Kurt's death as it devastated Courtney, but understandably so. But she is usually veracious, and does give a balanced account of Courtney's life. Poppy does not merely speculate and stir further trouble for Courtney. This is not a "tabloid" book - it is just as much a memoir as it is a biography, as Courtney contributed to it by telling Poppy her fascinating life story.Arguably, this book is patchy, but I believe it could really be no other way. Everyone in Courtney's circle has their own version of what happened, and some of these versions are inconsistent with Courtney's, but Poppy Z. Brite always includes these variances as completely as possible.Like all biographies, this book is not gospel and the reader is advised to keep an objective eye at all times. It is a gripping read, impossible to put down, and Poppy's writing shimmers as she chronologizes Courtney's past with sympathy, while keeping her perspective intact.Note: there are 16 pages of colour photos of Miss. Love and her friends and family (including Kurt Cobain and Frances Bean) at the centre of this book.

Poppy Z. Brite did an excellent job in penning this revealing bio of one of the most controversial figures in recent rock history. Courtney has lived her life on her own terms, thus ignoring the rules dictated by a mainstream society that applauds mediocrity. Because Love broke the rules, she is routinely attacked through catty writing and acidic soundbites. Brite went against the grain by presenting a book that does not chastise the "girl gone bad", but instead truthfully documents a life lived fantastically. Great job, Poppy!

I have been a fan of Hole and Courtney Love for some time, and this book was just wonderful. Brite's writing is very intriguing, and I plowed through the hardcover in 3 days. A life so complex, full, and not yet finished being lived, Courtney was done justice by this author and writing style. Even a reader who is not a fan would enjoy this book, which reads like a twisted fairy tale.

Courtney Love is an amazing woman who, has and always will, triumph above strife and misunderstanding. She is courageous, innovative, and truly worthy of idolization. I am glad to see a biography such as this, that does justice to the goddess, Ms. Love

I seldom power through a biography with as much hunger for information as I did this title. I am very much a fan of Hole, and I was glad to see this book treat Courtney Love with the respect she is long overdue. The author is a bit dry at times. I typically prefer to read Courtney's own words, as in interviews and the book "Grrrls: Viva Rock Divas", but "Courtney Love: the real story" was probably the next best thing.