This is such a hard item to review. In a strange way it almost feels like owning a copy of this is a review of your morality because of its private nature. Be that as it may, the journals are out there, and I am one of those who purchased a copy.
During my High School years Kurt Cobain was something of a minor god for me. His views on politics, music, movies, human nature, books, and authenticity, shaped how I saw the world. Like many who get into Nirvana during their teenage years I wanted to be the next Kurt Cobain. Here was this guy who was such an enigma to mainstream culture in virtually every way at that time. The shabby way he dressed, the way he denounced the mainstream despite being part of it, and this aura of rebellion that he exuded captivated my teenage mind. I was hooked and when I came across these journals it seemed like a perfect way to learn more about this person I deeply admired and emulated. Unfortunately a deeper bond with the mind of Kurt Cobain was not to be found for me in these pages.
In an effort to maintain the integrity (whatever small amount there is in making a buck off someone's private journals) of the writing, the publishers scanned images from the actual journal pages. At first you may think this is a cool idea with an authentic appeal, however you quickly find that is not the case. For all his other talents, Kurt Cobain had atrocious handwriting. Often I found myself combing page after page for something legible or coherent. Very few of these journals are actually, well, journals. Most of it are doodles, notes, ideas for lyrics, letters that were likely never sent, and random things jotted down. There are moments where you do find entries that do fit the usual journal entry, but don't expect to learn anything scandalous.
Honestly that's about it. Personally, the biggest let down for me was after I closed the book the shame I felt for having opened it. One of the things you learn about Cobain when you dig deep into his life was he cherished his privacy. In fact, the Vanity Fair article that portrayed him and Courtney as heroin addicted parents scarred him profoundly. Many believe that it was that scandal and the consequences that followed which led to him ultimately killing himself. If he were alive today I imagine the sale of these journals would be a great personal betrayal of his trust. Truthfully, can not the same be said of almost everyone? I for one would be mortified if my personal thoughts which were only intended for me to see became available at book stores worldwide. Sadly, it's because Cobain's a celebrity that we put aside our consciences and dive into the gossip.
I am writing this review nearly a decade after originally buying the journals, which is about the time I last opened it up. As I write this that feeling of guilt is brewing in my stomach that I'm making my ownership of this public. I don't even know exactly what my intention is writing this review, except maybe to say think hard before picking this up. This is not a biography written by someone who never knew Cobain. This journal contains intimate details of a person's life who never meant for any of us to see. If you have difficulty understanding that perhaps place yourself in those shoes. The book is out there, and whether or not you buy it will not change that fact, but you can spare yourself the dirty feeling I've described in this review. I can't blame you if you do anyway because I just had to know as well. Like I said in the beginning, the ownership of this book is a review of who you are as a person in a way. Are you someone who says "Ah well he's dead what does he care if his privacy is violated?" Or will you respect that some things aren't meant to be looked into. While I didn't exactly say the former my actions basically did, and for that I feel regret.
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