Crazy Heart: A Novel (1987)

I'd consider this less a "Country Song" and more of a character study. If you're looking for a book with a lot of action, you should probably keep looking. This book is fairly realistic; if you know any down-on-his-luck-alcholic types, you're sure to find something familiar here. That's not to say there isn't anything going on in this book. On the contrary, there's a lot going on, particularly for such a short book. The action herein is mostly in the memories of the main character, Bad Blake. Toward the ending it does pick up, and although it's been said it's "predictable" I disagree. Maybe its because I'd read that the ending IS predictable that my imagination worked overtime in an attempt to cut to the chase? Crazy Heart, a quiet little book is well worth reading, in my opinion. ( )

This wasn't necessarily a bad book, it was well written and had some good characterization and development of its characters, it just wasn't my cup of tea. It was a genre, modern country-western, that just isn't my genre. So it wasn't a book I could really get into and enjoy.

The main character was particularly well written, although somewhat cliché, old and busted country western singer, the author did do a good job at creating this character. He was realistic and his development throughout the story was natural. I think if you enjoy this genre, than this would be a great read, but, it just didn't reach me. It wasn't boring, it wasn't gripping, it was just not my type of book.

Also found on my book review blog Jules' Book Reviews - Crazy Heart ( )

Crazy Heart by Thomas Cobb is about this washed up country singer named 'Bad' Blake. Bad Blake has been on the road doing concerts in bowling alleys and bars, while on the road he finds romance.Unfortunately, he also has some vices to deal with.Crazy Heart sort of reminded me of the film Walk The Line, only replace Phoenix with some old dude. Essentially country music isn't all she stole my pick-up truck now I'm going to get a dog and drink a beer, twang twang twang. Really, it's about the life of the unglamorous, and Bad's life reflects this. Bad spends much of the book drinking Jack Daniels, reminiscing about being screwed over by Tommy Sweet. This book was about how there's a seedy underbelly within country music. Oh, and also continues on the theme of how fame doesn't last, and how most people are not glamorous and just doing the best they can.The writing was fairly solid, I mean Cobb has got some style. However, I felt an emotional disconnect with the characters. Perhaps I have trouble relating to a guy who spends most of his time inebriated. Now, this is not to moralize, hell no. I just didn't connect with Bad Blake. I thought he got himself into a lot of situations, and didn't have a whole lot of pity for him.On the one hand, I doubt it was the author's intent to have the readers pity Bad. I think as readers we are supposed to have a glimpse into how ordinary heartland folks are, and how unaware people are of the drug/party scene of such a 'safe' genre. Also, we are supposed to see how dependency can really mess up your life, and how hard it is to give up the 'crutch.'To be fairly honest, I am quite lukewarm on this book. While it kept me flipping pages, it wasn't the greatest book I've ever read, I'm not an evangelist for it. But, in saying that it is also not the worst book, either. It was sort of ah, well that was an alright read. I think if you've had dependency issues, maybe you might love this book. Or if you love some old time country music. Or hell, if you are just passionate about music, you may love this book. I'm not any of those things. I like country music, I also like music, but I'm not passionate about either. That aside, I am curious as to how this book translated on the silver screen. I will definitely check it out when it's on DVD. ( )

Crazy Heart by Thomas Cobb is about this washed up country singer named 'Bad' Blake. Bad Blake has been on the road doing concerts in bowling alleys and bars, while on the road he finds romance.Unfortunately, he also has some vices to deal with.

Crazy Heart sort of reminded me of the film Walk The Line, only replace Phoenix with some old dude. Essentially country music isn't all she stole my pick-up truck now I'm going to get a dog and drink a beer, twang twang twang. Really, it's about the life of the unglamorous, and Bad's life reflects this. Bad spends much of the book drinking Jack Daniels, reminiscing about being screwed over by Tommy Sweet. This book was about how there's a seedy underbelly within country music. Oh, and also continues on the theme of how fame doesn't last, and how most people are not glamorous and just doing the best they can.

The writing was fairly solid, I mean Cobb has got some style. However, I felt an emotional disconnect with the characters. Perhaps I have trouble relating to a guy who spends most of his time inebriated. Now, this is not to moralize, hell no. I just didn't connect with Bad Blake. I thought he got himself into a lot of situations, and didn't have a whole lot of pity for him.

On the one hand, I doubt it was the author's intent to have the readers pity Bad. I think as readers we are supposed to have a glimpse into how ordinary heartland folks are, and how unaware people are of the drug/party scene of such a 'safe' genre. Also, we are supposed to see how dependency can really mess up your life, and how hard it is to give up the 'crutch.'

To be fairly honest, I am quite lukewarm on this book. While it kept me flipping pages, it wasn't the greatest book I've ever read, I'm not an evangelist for it. But, in saying that it is also not the worst book, either. It was sort of ah, well that was an alright read. I think if you've had dependency issues, maybe you might love this book. Or if you love some old time country music. Or hell, if you are just passionate about music, you may love this book. I'm not any of those things. I like country music, I also like music, but I'm not passionate about either. That aside, I am curious as to how this book translated on the silver screen. I will definitely check it out when it's on DVD. ( )