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A review by justjoel
Horror Stories: A Memoir by Liz Phair
4.0
I received my copy of Horror Stories via Goodreads giveaway, which has no effect on my review. I would, however, like to take a moment to thank Random House, who graciously (and speedily) replaced my lost-in-transit copy when notified that it never reached its intended destination.
Despite the title, Horror Stories isn't a collection of macabre novellas. It serves as a memoir to Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Liz Phair. The title comes from Phair's belief that there can be uncomfortable moments in life that guide us into being the person we truly are, and this book collects eighteen (though this ARC was missing a couple) of the touchstone moments from her own life.
I've long been a fan of Phair's, and some of these vignettes are as hard-hitting as any of her in-your-face, tell-it-like-it-is lyrics. But there are others that feel like she's reaching a bit, perhaps adding descriptive bits to memory to make it seem...more. And that leaves certain chapters feeling more manufactured than any of her pop-leaning songs.
Just as songs on an album aren't necessarily presented in chronological order of when they were written or recorded, neither are the chapters in chronological order. I think it would perhaps have felt more like a memoir had the chapters followed a more linear approach. As it is, these feel like interconnected scenes or stories told in a manner not unlike that of a Tarantino film.
If you are able to view the chapter presentation as similar to songs on an album, I think you will enjoy the book more. If you are looking for a linear voyage of Phair's trek toward success, this isn't it. But it does provide the touchstones that she has deemed important to share: many of them dealing with her failures rather than successes.
Long-time fans should enjoy this look into the inner thoughts of this under-appreciated artist.
Despite the title, Horror Stories isn't a collection of macabre novellas. It serves as a memoir to Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Liz Phair. The title comes from Phair's belief that there can be uncomfortable moments in life that guide us into being the person we truly are, and this book collects eighteen (though this ARC was missing a couple) of the touchstone moments from her own life.
I've long been a fan of Phair's, and some of these vignettes are as hard-hitting as any of her in-your-face, tell-it-like-it-is lyrics. But there are others that feel like she's reaching a bit, perhaps adding descriptive bits to memory to make it seem...more. And that leaves certain chapters feeling more manufactured than any of her pop-leaning songs.
Just as songs on an album aren't necessarily presented in chronological order of when they were written or recorded, neither are the chapters in chronological order. I think it would perhaps have felt more like a memoir had the chapters followed a more linear approach. As it is, these feel like interconnected scenes or stories told in a manner not unlike that of a Tarantino film.
If you are able to view the chapter presentation as similar to songs on an album, I think you will enjoy the book more. If you are looking for a linear voyage of Phair's trek toward success, this isn't it. But it does provide the touchstones that she has deemed important to share: many of them dealing with her failures rather than successes.
Long-time fans should enjoy this look into the inner thoughts of this under-appreciated artist.