Incredible Book - Absorbing and Emotional

Truly absorbing and emotional experience. The dynamic of the q&a style really works and the follow up on certain comments help the understanding greatly. The music at the end of each chapter also works really well. It changes the listening experience of both Ghosteen and Skeleton Tree but not in a negative sense.

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5 people found this helpful

A must listen

Rarely do I feel a need to review but this was a wonderful listen. I’m not a fan of Nick Cave’s music but it’s made me want to listen. A truly sensitive and engrossing book around grief, the spiritual and the impetus to create no matter what life throws I. Your path. Sean O’Hagan is a brilliant writer and this shows him as a great interviewer too. Bravo!

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Moving insights into art and grief

This a searingly honest account of survival - through the agency of love and art - in the midst of unimaginable loss. The Q&A format lends itself well to this type of inquiry. At times, the same themes are repeated, but it doesn't jar, as Cave is such an eloquent interviewee that variations on previous responses enrich the narrative, rather than detract from it.

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Moving and Insightful

This is an incredibly open, honest and powerful dialogue pursued with intellectual rigour and mutual respect. The result, for the listener, is over eight hours in the company of the endlessly fascinating Nick Cave as he shares his views on life, death, grief, music, songwriting, love, art and religion with the added bonus of ceramics thrown into the mix. I'd say this book is essential listening for all who appreciate Nick Cave as a musician and human being. It should also appeal to anyone with an enquiring mind and an interest in learning more about one of the most gifted creative artists of our time. And Sean O' Hagen is a great interviewer.

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Very engaging

Brilliant listen, really enjoyed the form of the interviews and hearing about Cave’s creative processes

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Extraordinary - best listen in ages

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this book. I downloaded it on a whim based on the reviews and I'm so glad I did. I would particularly recommend it to anyone like me who has ever experienced sudden grief in such a profound way that it has made them question everything. And to anyone who struggles with their beliefs - again, like me. Basically I recommend it to anyone and everyone. To my shame, I had Nick Cave pigeon holed as a drug taking, shouty mad man whose music was not remotely my bag and had successfully avoided paying him any attention since he exploded onto the music scene all those years ago. I am now exploring his back catalogue on top of relistening to the book (unheard of for me) and, just like the book, am amazed and delighted though not by all of it - ha! A good lesson for me in judging strangers about whom you know, in reality, precisely nothing. Thank you both for making this audio book which, as often is the case, gives it even more impact than the words alone because the creators are telling it as they intended it to be told. I didn't remotely worry about how it was delivered as others comment here - within the first 5 minutes I'd forgotten all of that and was hooked. Highly recommended.

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It has left me unsure of what I can possibly read or listen to next , I felt so involved

I started listening to this as a casual Nick Cave fan, knowing a little about the traumas he had recently encountered in a short space of time and the title of the book lead me to believe that it was in fact, a reflection of recent events. I had read that Rowan Williams, the former Arch Bishop of Canterbury, was struck by the conversations of engagement of faith in this book, which also compelled me to listen to it.
It makes for particularly interesting listening because it is evident that it is a conversation between two friends. I have only recently started to listen to audio books instead of reading a hard copy. With this particular book, I can’t imagine that reading it would have the same impact as the audio book. I feel as though it’s an extension of The Red Hand Files. I feel a little lost now it has ended because I know that the whole conversation is ongoing.

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1 person found this helpful

Fantastic

I am certain that I will listen to this once again in the near future.
Even if you are not a fan of Mr.Cave ‘s music, the topics that are being discussed ( grief, to name just one) are valuable for everyone !

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Not as expected but everything I hoped

Touching, honest and inspiring. Simply put, whether you're a fan or not, just a wonderful, wonderful book.

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Captivating

Truly a captivating and raw listen through the journey of loss and grief, from one of our most important artists. Cannot recommend enough if you're a fan.

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