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Cobain: A Montage of Heck
Kurt Cobain, legendary lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of Nirvana, “the flagship band of Generation X,” still remains an object of reverence for music fans while his legacy continues to fascinate, inspire, and haunt us, despite the many years that have passed since Kurt Cobain took his own life in April 1994.
For the first time, Kurt's story was shared in-depth in the acclaimed 2015 film, Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, a fully authorized feature documentary produced with the cooperation of his widow, Courtney Love, and the Cobain Estate and access to Kurt Cobain’s personal archive was generously shared.
Brett Morgen was the writer, director, and producer of the esteemed film, and visual artist, Frances Bean Cobain, (Cobain’s daughter), was the executive producer of the documentary.
This riveting chronicle, which accompanies award-winning director Brett Morgen's documentary, paints an illuminating and honest portrait of the Nirvana frontman, capturing the contradictions that made up his character: he could be sincere and sentimental but also ironic and sarcastic, was sweet yet sour, and was both serious and yet very funny.
This volume features expanded, exclusive interviews from the film with family and friends who knew him best, while showcasing the film’s incredible visuals with a mixture of animation stills, never-seen-before photographs and artwork combined with other treasures from Kurt Cobain’s personal archive.
Director Brett Morgen also offers his personal thoughts on the creation of the film and the need to shatter the mythos that surrounds Cobain.
It is the ultimate book for fans of Nirvana, whose popularity continues to endure, and of Kurt, who remains a fascinating icon of popular culture.
For the first time, Kurt's story was shared in-depth in the acclaimed 2015 film, Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, a fully authorized feature documentary produced with the cooperation of his widow, Courtney Love, and the Cobain Estate and access to Kurt Cobain’s personal archive was generously shared.
Brett Morgen was the writer, director, and producer of the esteemed film, and visual artist, Frances Bean Cobain, (Cobain’s daughter), was the executive producer of the documentary.
This riveting chronicle, which accompanies award-winning director Brett Morgen's documentary, paints an illuminating and honest portrait of the Nirvana frontman, capturing the contradictions that made up his character: he could be sincere and sentimental but also ironic and sarcastic, was sweet yet sour, and was both serious and yet very funny.
This volume features expanded, exclusive interviews from the film with family and friends who knew him best, while showcasing the film’s incredible visuals with a mixture of animation stills, never-seen-before photographs and artwork combined with other treasures from Kurt Cobain’s personal archive.
Director Brett Morgen also offers his personal thoughts on the creation of the film and the need to shatter the mythos that surrounds Cobain.
It is the ultimate book for fans of Nirvana, whose popularity continues to endure, and of Kurt, who remains a fascinating icon of popular culture.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2015
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626 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 11, 2015
I'm a Nirvana fan from way back. I always liked their music because I loved their very unique sound. I'll never forget the first time I heard Smells Like Teen Spirit and was instantly captivated by the music, while at the same time being baffled by the lyrics.
As they released more and more songs, I learned to ignore the mismatched, nonsensical lyrics and just appreciated their awesome sound.
I also remember the day Kurt Cobain killed himself. The shock and confusion that filled his fans while trying to comprehend why someone who was so successful and had a family would do such a thing. After his death and inclusion in the 27 Club, Cobain became the object of many urban myths. Everyone had an opinion about his suicide. Some condemned him for it, others blamed his wife. But until you live in someone's shoes, you can't judge or assume to know where that person was at during that certain point in time.
So I was very interested in reading this book because it's not an autobiography that analyses his life, but a recollection of thoughts and memories from the people who knew him best.
At the beginning of the book Brett Morgen says: "The intention here is not to put Kurt on a pedestal. Nor is it to bring him down. Rather, it is to look him in the eye. To humanize him, for better or for worse." And I have to say that he certainly achieved this.
Through the interviews with his parents, sister, stepmother, girlfriend, wife and friend we learn a lot about Kurt's troubled life and constant struggle to create. His pursuit for the family he obviously thought he missed out on was almost brutal, and his fear of humiliation seemed to drive him to the very end.
Cobain: Montage of Heck is first and foremost a beautiful visual experience filled with actual material from Kurt's archives, as well as artistic representations from Hisko Hulsing and Stefan Nadelman. I really enjoyed this book and found it to be an intriguing and personal look into the man the real people in his life knew, not what the public saw. It's honest, disturbing, and very sad.
I found Kurt's story to be a tragic experience, the life of a man with many personal demons and a contradictory nature that ultimately led him to an addiction he couldn't defeat.
As they released more and more songs, I learned to ignore the mismatched, nonsensical lyrics and just appreciated their awesome sound.
I also remember the day Kurt Cobain killed himself. The shock and confusion that filled his fans while trying to comprehend why someone who was so successful and had a family would do such a thing. After his death and inclusion in the 27 Club, Cobain became the object of many urban myths. Everyone had an opinion about his suicide. Some condemned him for it, others blamed his wife. But until you live in someone's shoes, you can't judge or assume to know where that person was at during that certain point in time.
So I was very interested in reading this book because it's not an autobiography that analyses his life, but a recollection of thoughts and memories from the people who knew him best.
At the beginning of the book Brett Morgen says: "The intention here is not to put Kurt on a pedestal. Nor is it to bring him down. Rather, it is to look him in the eye. To humanize him, for better or for worse." And I have to say that he certainly achieved this.
Through the interviews with his parents, sister, stepmother, girlfriend, wife and friend we learn a lot about Kurt's troubled life and constant struggle to create. His pursuit for the family he obviously thought he missed out on was almost brutal, and his fear of humiliation seemed to drive him to the very end.
Cobain: Montage of Heck is first and foremost a beautiful visual experience filled with actual material from Kurt's archives, as well as artistic representations from Hisko Hulsing and Stefan Nadelman. I really enjoyed this book and found it to be an intriguing and personal look into the man the real people in his life knew, not what the public saw. It's honest, disturbing, and very sad.
I found Kurt's story to be a tragic experience, the life of a man with many personal demons and a contradictory nature that ultimately led him to an addiction he couldn't defeat.
August 24, 2015
I read this before I watched the doc. All in all it was...ok. I think I expected more since he had so much access. I saw way more of naked Courtney Love than I EVER FREAKING NEEDED TO SEE. Geez. I read an article that said 90% of this doc/book was made up so now I'm going to have to find another biography of the man and while I love Nirvana and Kurt Cobain as much as the next---he was exhausting.
June 17, 2015
My View:
A montage of life’s noise.
“Montage Of Heck" is a collage that Kurt Cobain assembled with a 4-track cassette recorder around 1988. It features sounds from Kurt's extensive and bizarre record collection, manipulated recordings of the radio, elements of Nirvana demos, and sounds created or recorded by Cobain.” (http://www.livenirvana.com/digitalnir...) I think this quote/summary sums up the memoir/companion documentary of the same name/life of Kurt Cobain as reported in the media perfectly- Kurt Cobain - a montage of life’s noise; the drama, tragedy, illness, love, loss, pain, creativity, addiction and suicide. From janitor to mega star - what a life, what a death!
Any fans of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain will love this book! Or indeed anyone who has enjoyed popular music in the 80’s and 90’s will appreciate this book. And the production values are massive! The images and the prints from the animation stills from the documentary used in this book are extraordinary; the quality is fantastic. This is the noise of Kurt Cobain’s life.
PS My adult daughters said the documentary was awesome.
A montage of life’s noise.
“Montage Of Heck" is a collage that Kurt Cobain assembled with a 4-track cassette recorder around 1988. It features sounds from Kurt's extensive and bizarre record collection, manipulated recordings of the radio, elements of Nirvana demos, and sounds created or recorded by Cobain.” (http://www.livenirvana.com/digitalnir...) I think this quote/summary sums up the memoir/companion documentary of the same name/life of Kurt Cobain as reported in the media perfectly- Kurt Cobain - a montage of life’s noise; the drama, tragedy, illness, love, loss, pain, creativity, addiction and suicide. From janitor to mega star - what a life, what a death!
Any fans of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain will love this book! Or indeed anyone who has enjoyed popular music in the 80’s and 90’s will appreciate this book. And the production values are massive! The images and the prints from the animation stills from the documentary used in this book are extraordinary; the quality is fantastic. This is the noise of Kurt Cobain’s life.
PS My adult daughters said the documentary was awesome.
March 13, 2025
As a companion to the Kurt Cobain documentary of the same name, this book was satisfying. I vaguely remember checking it out from the library, right after I first watched the film, but most of the information in this book was new to me, so I must’ve just skimmed (or my memory has faded — it’s been ten years, after all).
I read this in one sitting, and while it was overwhelming, it was impossible to set aside. Kurt’s story, as told by seven of his closest friends and family, tumbles out at a heady speed, painting a very messy and pretty contradictory picture. I have no idea if everything said in this book, or in the documentary, is true — I’d wager that it isn’t. Kurt’s parents definitely have conflicting reports on his childhood, and Courtney Love and Krist Novoselic also share different impressions. But I don’t get the sense that some great deception is at play. If Kurt was anything, it was very complicated, and he showed different sides of himself to different people. Add that to time, grief, and in Love’s case, addiction, and you get a tangled web of information.
I preferred the experience of watching the movie to reading this book, which is probably to be expected. This is supplemental material, not the real meat and potatoes. The movie brought Kurt to life, using his music and artwork to literally paint a picture of his life. It wasn’t hopeful, per se, but it was illuminating, and didn’t leave me feeling depressed. This book, however, did. Everyone in Kurt’s life failed him at some point, but the person who failed him the most was himself. The descriptions of his addiction, not to mention the defensive statements from his father and stepmother (I have more than a few questions for them) left me feeling very dark. Surely Kurt experienced light and joy in his life. But there isn’t much to be found in this book. It’s worth a read if you’re a super-fan, or if you want a truly fascinating case study on selective memory. But don’t expect much light at the end of this tunnel.
On a random note, I’m so glad Krist Novoselic was the band mate they interviewed. Dave Grohl already talks ways too much.
I read this in one sitting, and while it was overwhelming, it was impossible to set aside. Kurt’s story, as told by seven of his closest friends and family, tumbles out at a heady speed, painting a very messy and pretty contradictory picture. I have no idea if everything said in this book, or in the documentary, is true — I’d wager that it isn’t. Kurt’s parents definitely have conflicting reports on his childhood, and Courtney Love and Krist Novoselic also share different impressions. But I don’t get the sense that some great deception is at play. If Kurt was anything, it was very complicated, and he showed different sides of himself to different people. Add that to time, grief, and in Love’s case, addiction, and you get a tangled web of information.
I preferred the experience of watching the movie to reading this book, which is probably to be expected. This is supplemental material, not the real meat and potatoes. The movie brought Kurt to life, using his music and artwork to literally paint a picture of his life. It wasn’t hopeful, per se, but it was illuminating, and didn’t leave me feeling depressed. This book, however, did. Everyone in Kurt’s life failed him at some point, but the person who failed him the most was himself. The descriptions of his addiction, not to mention the defensive statements from his father and stepmother (I have more than a few questions for them) left me feeling very dark. Surely Kurt experienced light and joy in his life. But there isn’t much to be found in this book. It’s worth a read if you’re a super-fan, or if you want a truly fascinating case study on selective memory. But don’t expect much light at the end of this tunnel.
On a random note, I’m so glad Krist Novoselic was the band mate they interviewed. Dave Grohl already talks ways too much.
May 25, 2015
Overall, I really liked this book. However, I was really hoping for Dave Grohl's interview to be part of the book since it was left out of the documentary (supposedly due to it being filmed too late). I think by leaving Grohl's interview out of the doc and the book entirely, Brett Morgen has created a lot of curiosity in the minds of fans who wonder what Dave had to say. Grohl's interview may not have added anything new to the project (as Morgen has said), but by leaving it out entirely Morgen has unfortunately drawn too much attention to the absence and in a sense overshadowed the whole project.
June 13, 2023
Interesting but not mind blowing. Enjoyed reading about his early life but so much finger pointing between parents just got tedious
March 28, 2021
Zuallererst ist dieses Buch eine schöne visuelle Reise, durch die künstlerischen Darstellungen von Hisko Hulsing und Stefan Nadelmann und natürlich Kurt Cobain selbst aus dessem riesigen Archiv einige seiner Werke hier zu sehen sind. Er war Musiker und Künstler. Und dann lässt es einem, einen sehr persönlichen Blick auf den Menschen Cobain werfen durch die Interviews der Menschen, die ihn wirklich kannten. Seine Familie, Freunde und Frau kommen hier zu Wort. Ehrlich, verstörend und sehr traurig.
February 6, 2022
I'm a sucker for Cobain, always have been. Having seen this documentary (which was great) this didn't offer much more, but was still very nice and interesting. I've also read and watched just about every thing written about Cobain from Heavier than Heaven to Serve the Servants and the biography by Sandford, so yeah, I've been marinated in the subject. So; hard to give a real review.
Maybe could've been longer. But yeah, heart-breaking and very sincere and raw, does indeed paint a multi-dimensional picture of this "tortured" rock star. There's ambivalence on every page, which is the true essence of life and being a human. I just love when this happens. Nobody is a saint, nobody is the devil. And I really, truly mean it.
Maybe could've been longer. But yeah, heart-breaking and very sincere and raw, does indeed paint a multi-dimensional picture of this "tortured" rock star. There's ambivalence on every page, which is the true essence of life and being a human. I just love when this happens. Nobody is a saint, nobody is the devil. And I really, truly mean it.
June 1, 2016
I am a massive Nirvana fan and when I saw that an insightful documentary and book was being made about one of the most influential people of the 90's [and arguably, ever] I was super excited. Honesty, I enjoyed the insight into his life because it helped to explain his background and how it shaped him. The only aspect of the book that cost it the 4/5 instead of 5/5 was the weird comments Courtney made referring back to the suicide and his behaviour. She contradicted herself a lot of times and it was very disheveled to read though.
June 9, 2015
It's beautiful to hear the story of such a mythologized figure through the words of the people that were closest to him.
June 19, 2015
If you don't have hbo like me and missed the documentary this is seriously the next best thing.
September 24, 2015
Great book for fans or Nirvana and their work!
January 22, 2016
I loved reading Montage of Heck. Highly recommended for any Kurt/Nirvana fans out there
June 10, 2023
From music, sculpture, comic strips, Super 8 films, sound collages, to various mixed media creations—Kurt is a person who expressed himself in so many different media. Most of us will agree: no matter what the medium are, his art speaks to us in such a raw and primal way. It swallows you whole and left you unarmed. Just like that.
And as many other geniuses before him, Kurt was a myth. Nobody knows the real him because people keep projecting their fantasies unto him.
But this book (which is based on the HBO documentary "Montage of Heck") tries to dig deeper and understand the real Kurt as a human being and an artist. And yeah, it works. It is a recommended read, but I recommend the documentary movie more because I believe this is the closer you get to 'experience' Kurt's world by yourself.
And as many other geniuses before him, Kurt was a myth. Nobody knows the real him because people keep projecting their fantasies unto him.
But this book (which is based on the HBO documentary "Montage of Heck") tries to dig deeper and understand the real Kurt as a human being and an artist. And yeah, it works. It is a recommended read, but I recommend the documentary movie more because I believe this is the closer you get to 'experience' Kurt's world by yourself.
August 4, 2020
I have never watched Montage of Heck. It doesn't seems to be available in my country(I live in India btw) I am happy to read the interviews from Kurt Cobain's family (his dad, mom, step-mom and sister), Krist, Tracy and even Courtney.
I think these people too are confused about his death. They seem to try to interpret him from their own perceptions.
Anyway, I'll be reading more books later. Need to read Tom Grant's book too.
I think these people too are confused about his death. They seem to try to interpret him from their own perceptions.
Anyway, I'll be reading more books later. Need to read Tom Grant's book too.
September 19, 2023
Book to go alongside the hbo doc… a bunch of interview bits. Cool to hear exactly what these people from Kurt’s life were saying, left little room for interpretation. I like how the book focused on Kurt’s whole life as an artist and whole guy, instead of just the few years we knew him as a frontman. Really sweet photos and artwork from Kurt. Obviously no book about someone who’s killed themselves ends on a high note, but I left thankful to know more about him.
October 4, 2021
Loved it. Nirvana fan. The book is an accompaniment for the movie by the same name. Was on HBO in 2015. Don’t know if it’s there now. Photos & illustrations excellent. Interviews with family & friends give some insight into Kurt. He was a good guy, but he sure had a monkey on his back—and the monkey was him.
May 30, 2022
Interessante e ben illustrato, ben allineato col film e completo, particolare soprattutto perché la figura di tale artista viene narrata non tanto attraverso le sue parole (come in “Diari” od altre biografie), ma dalle persone che gli stavano attorno ed a cui era stretto
December 10, 2024
I don't know about this aye. The art is more from the documentary than from Cobain and the whole thing just feels exploitative.
Dude's been dead longer than he was alive for now, it might be time to let him rest.
Dude's been dead longer than he was alive for now, it might be time to let him rest.
September 7, 2025
I love nirvana, I’ve watched the documentary before and the book was so amazing, I did cry at the end with Wendy talking about him and Krist’s quote (below)
“I miss that guy, I think about him all the time”- Krist
“I miss that guy, I think about him all the time”- Krist
September 13, 2025
I love nirvana, l've watched the documentary before and the book was so amazing, I did cry at the end with Wendy talking about him and Krist's quote (below)
"I miss that guy, I think about him all the time"- Krist
"I miss that guy, I think about him all the time"- Krist
January 26, 2024
Loved the documentary as well. They’re both one in the same in many regards but considered companion pieces.
April 23, 2024
Excellent companion book to the documentary. Well worth reading for fans of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana.
October 7, 2024
Thrifted and has too many anime drawings of kurdt for my liking
May 9, 2025
An immersive glimpse into the mind and life of Kurt Cobain in his short but prolific life. Supplemented with interviews from friends and family, we get archival content as well as stills of the animation used to depict Kurt Cobain’s youth as used in the similarly titled documentary. Great for fans of Nirvana and the Montage of Heck documentary.
November 23, 2018
"All artists are, in a sense, writing their own biographies with their work."
This book had been sitting on my shelf neglected since it was bloody released, and I've only just picked it up now... I KNOW, OKAY. I've absolutely adored Kurt Cobain and his life since the literal moment I was born (thanks Dad) so I have no idea why it took me so long to get around to this. There are so many aspects of Kurt's life which so many people don't know about and having this compilation of his journals and art pieces just really summed him up as a person. I still have yet to see the film version they made of this, but I'm really glad I finally got around to reading through this instead of letting it gather dust on my shelves <3
This book had been sitting on my shelf neglected since it was bloody released, and I've only just picked it up now... I KNOW, OKAY. I've absolutely adored Kurt Cobain and his life since the literal moment I was born (thanks Dad) so I have no idea why it took me so long to get around to this. There are so many aspects of Kurt's life which so many people don't know about and having this compilation of his journals and art pieces just really summed him up as a person. I still have yet to see the film version they made of this, but I'm really glad I finally got around to reading through this instead of letting it gather dust on my shelves <3
June 10, 2015
So I've watched the movie and I've read the book. Both endings have made me cry to death and have made me think about my life. There's not a lot to say really, it's got nice pics and interview quotes that didn't make it into the film which is great considering there's some vulnerable and hurtful things in that book.
Kurt Cobain had a unfair life and I've never felt so sorry for someone in my life. He had a terrible childhood, he got too much fame, and then drugs took over his whole life. The drugs took over everything which is what happens when you take something as terrible as heroin. And his story has convinced me fully to never touch a drug in my life.
Kurt Cobain was a good person, he was just ultimately too sensitive for this world.
If you're a fan, you'll love the movie and book. It's just hard to take in.
Kurt Cobain had a unfair life and I've never felt so sorry for someone in my life. He had a terrible childhood, he got too much fame, and then drugs took over his whole life. The drugs took over everything which is what happens when you take something as terrible as heroin. And his story has convinced me fully to never touch a drug in my life.
Kurt Cobain was a good person, he was just ultimately too sensitive for this world.
If you're a fan, you'll love the movie and book. It's just hard to take in.
August 15, 2015
Although this book is relatively short, only 160 pages, I learned just as much about Kurt Cobain the person as I did from reading longer, more detailed biographies about Nirvana and Kurt Cobain the rock star. Before reading this book, I'd failed to notice how well Cobain expressed himself through his art. What he concisely "said" through visual art would take countless words to express--and probably not be as truthful. Montage of Heck is a very quick read and well worth the time.
July 8, 2015
I haven't seen the movie that this book accompanies yet, but I hope too! This is a collection of memorabilia, interviews, drawings and memories of Kurt Cobain (lead singer of Nirvana, y'all!). It creates a more well-rounded picture of the man, rather than the mythology that often surrounds public figures that die young. I found Krist Novoselic's stories particularly interesting since he was in the band from the beginning.
October 9, 2015
I chanced upon it today in the local community library here, then one thing led to another and before I knew it I was done with the book. And with the band many years ago, as a matter of fact. I could never understand what was it with the band doing a different kinda sound. It was in majority a quite lot of noise really. Neither could I like the book much. It was badly and hastily written. Feels like I wasted an entire afternoon after this book. Not even worth a single read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews