Alanis Morissette: A Biography [Paperback]

Paul Cantin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1998

Just two years ago Alanis Morissette was a former teen pop star, dismissed by some as a footnote in Canadian pop history. Then her album Jagged Little Pill sold over 13 million copies worldwide, and a new queen of alternative rock was crowned.

Here Paul Cantin tells the tale of how Morissette transformed herself from failed teenage star into an artist whose work speaks to an entire generation. With multiple Grammys and MTV Awards under her belt; this singer/songwriter has achieved what none thought possible. This is the story of that rare second chance.

Included in this book are: Morissette's own account of her songwriting inspiration, exclusive interview material, a front-row account of the 1996 Grammy Awards, and never before-seen photos. This is the one book no Morrisette fan will want to be without.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When You Oughta Know and the other singles from Jagged Little Pill first came blaring out of radios in 1995, their raunchy, confessional lyrics and hard-driving music suggested the arrival of another angst-ridden rock diva--no doubt with history of psychic dysfunction and substance abuse fueling her art. On the contrary, Canadian music journalist Paul Cantin's respectful biography tells us, Alanis Morissette is a consummate professional who wrote her first song at age nine and released a chart-topping Canadian pop album at 16 (in 1991). She had a happy childhood in a close-knit family, growing up in Ottawa, Canada's famously wholesome and dull capital.

Instead of yet another saga of individual excesses vented into a microphone, the real story here proves to be the more interesting drama of a serious, dedicated artist working to make her music more personally meaningful with the same discipline and drive that made her early commercial success possible. Detailed accounts of her collaborations with a slew of songwriters and producers show a maturing Morissette learning to trust her own instincts and stop trying so hard to please her mentors. The result, ironically, was a platinum-selling CD (Jagged Little Pill) that pleased almost everyone. Cantin's circumspect text doesn't offer much for gossip junkies, but his close focus on the creative process is ultimately more satisfying ... though I still want to find out who inspired the jealousy-crazed "You Oughta Know." --Wendy Smith

Review

...[a] snappy, sympathetic bio... Morissette's fans will appreciate the well-researched back-stories to her confessional lyrics. -- Entertainment Weekly, Megan Harlan

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (March 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312180357
• ISBN-13: 978-0312180355
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,439,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IMPORTANT MESSAGE, April 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Alanis Morissette: A Biography (Paperback)

Hello, this is Nadinia of Alanis Zone. This is the best bio on Alanis in the universe. It is interesting and has tons of facts and pictures. However, it is essential that I forewarn all potential purchasers of this fantastic book that the text of this bio is EXACTLY the same as the text in the books Alanis Morissette: You Oughta Know and Jagged. You see, Paul Cantin has only written 1 book, but it has been published by different people under different names. In other words, they are all identical except for the covers and Alanis Morissette: A biography has a condensed version of pictures. For the latest news on Alanis, please visit Alanis Zone.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paul Cantin's Alanis Bio is FANTASTIC, March 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Alanis Morissette: A Biography (Paperback)

First I'd like to say it's a mystery to me why this book's been around in Australia for a few months but is only just coming out in America. Anyway, the biography of Alanis Morissette by Paul Cantin is VERY well researched and accurate. The best part is that it's an authorised bio so it has direct quotes from Alanis about her experiences. This book is totally uncensored (maybe a bit biased) - does not pretend to hide anything.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this and remember it, June 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Alanis Morissette: A Biography (Paperback)

All I have to say about this book is this: if you want an interesting, informative book about the life of Alanis Morissette, one that is accurate and obviously researched, then you have to find a book written by Paul Cantin. He is the only person truly qualified to be Alanis Morissette's biographer, and he has proven it. I mean this. Do not buy a biography of Alanis Morissette that wasn't written by Paul Cantin. At the very least, if Cantin didn't write the book, he has to approve of it.