Save Me, Kurt Cobain written by Jenny Manzer Publisher Delacorte Press
Publication Date: March 8th 2016
Genres: Young Adult
Format: ARC, Hardcover
Pages: 272
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What if you discovered that Kurt Cobain is not only alive, but might be your real father? This nuanced and bittersweet YA debut will keep you guessing until the end.
Nico Cavan has been adrift since her mother vanished when she was four—maternal abandonment isn't exactly something you can just get over. Staying invisible at school is how she copes—that and listening to alt music and summoning spirits on the Ouija board with her best friend and co-conspirator in sarcasm, Obe. But when a chance discovery opens a window onto her mom's wild past, it sparks an idea in her brain that takes hold and won't let go.
On a ferry departing Seattle, Nico encounters a slight blond guy with piercing blue eyes wearing a hooded jacket. Something in her heart tells her that this feeling she has might actually be the truth, so she follows him to a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest. When she is stranded there by a winter storm, fear and darkness collide, and the only one who can save Nico might just be herself.
“Save Me, Kurt Cobain is: Utterly gorgeous. Mesmerizing. Hypnotic. I was intoxicated by Nico's quest for her mother, father, and self, as well as by Jenny Manzer's magnetically lovely writing. I love this book.”–Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places
“Raw and authentic.” –Jennifer Mathieu, author of The Truth About Alice and Devoted
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MY THOUGHTS
Don’t want to read the whole review? Click to jump to the Skinny Review.
I’m not really a fan of realistic fiction but when I saw Save Me, Kurt Cobain, I was excited! I mean, a sort of re-imagining of a world where Kurt Cobain was alive?! Sign me up! And yes, it does help that I love to listen to their songs. When I got a copy of the book for review, I was beyond ecstatic!
I had apprehensions when I started reading this book.
Why? Well, simply because I am not used to realistic fiction, and I admit, I avoid it like the plague. I was also apprehensive because of the blurb. I mean what if Kurt Cobain was alive AND your father? That is a bold move for Ms. Manzer, don’t you agree?
This book brings back 90’s nostalgia.
If you grew up in the 90’s, you would know about Kurt Cobain – Nirvana. And yes, reading this book does bring me back to that time when I was in elementary school and listened to angsty music (I still sometimes do, actually).
Then there’s Nico
Nicola Cavan is a sort of outcast, with only one best friend Obe. She lives with her father Verne and is constantly wondering about her mother, who left her when she was four years old. This book is really about Nico and her journey to self-discovery and happiness.
Nico is very relatable. As someone who grew up with my father, I felt her pain. It is hard not to wonder about your mother, what she was like, what would her life be if she hadn’t left. Although my mother didn’t leave us, she was still working in another country and I did not grow up with her at all. This makes Save Me, Kurt Cobain, a very personal read for me.
I was not expecting the plot
Based on the blurb, I expected this book to be a reimagining or an alternate universe or something of the sort, but it isn’t. This was a pleasant surprise for me and definitely had me hooked!
I love how Manzer explored the themes of family, loss, and hope.
Is Kurt ALIVE?
This is something that I will not spoil. I will say that I love the arc the story took, I love the twist and Miss Manzer really handled this topic/theme superbly!
Recommendations
This is a must-read for people who love music, and Nirvana. Save me, Kurt Cobain is a surprisingly poignant read set to tug at your heartstrings!
Hooray for #BOOKSTAGRAM!
By the way, I really enjoyed setting up my #bookstagram spread for Save Me, Kurt Cobain! I did steal a few items from Pierre, and I’m also excited to have him read this book!
Let’s Discuss!
have you read this book yet? What are your thoughts?
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| Overall: | 4.5 |
GIVEAWAY
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About Jenny Manzer
Jenny Manzer is a writer in Victoria, British Columbia.
She has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, and an investigative journalist, and has loved writing stories ever since she was a little girl. Now that she has two children of her own, she does most of her writing (and listening to Nirvana) at night while they’re asleep.
[…] SAVE ME, KURT COBAIN by Jenny Manzer (Young Adult Contemporary) […]
I just love the idea behind this one!! I am a tally someone who came of age during Nirvana’s debut and rise to fame, and I am a huge fan. I love the idea that Kurt Cobain might still be alive and be her dad 🙂 I have gotten really fond of contemporaries over the past year or so, which has shocked me since I used to not want to touch them with a 10-foot-pole! I’m really looking forward to this one, though. Great review!
Thanks Holly! I really like how this book is not really about Kurt and Nirvana because that would have not worked at all!
I always am up for an emotional read, and now I’m kind of interested in this one for the 90’s nostalgia xD Nice review, I’m glad you enjoyed this one!
Alise recently posted…5 Things About the Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson
Thanks! And yes, each chapter is a Nirvana song title, too!
Awesome review! I seriously can’t wait to read this one!
Yes, please do! 🙂
I enjoyed reading your review. I have been wanting to read this book, it sounds fascinating. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Thanks for your kind words, Anita!
Based on your review, this is a must read for me and my daughter who is a huge fan of Nirvana. Thanks for the great post today!
Your welcome! That is one of the reasons why I picked the book….even if I don’t really read reality contemporary.