I Put A Spell On You: The Autobiography Of Nina Simone

In this autobiography Nina Simone speaks most eloquently. Much like her songs, she tells the truth, warts and all.Her life and times are given some shine, and yet not enough to ever bore or mislead the reader. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Her story of not-quite-rags-to not-quite-full-of-riches is a fascinating one.This reader came away knowing more about her, after years of assumptions-- many of which are put to rest.For example: because of her creations, her songs, and her pro-black activism, one is left to assume that Simone didn't like or trust whites. This was not the case. In fact, her adored first music teachers were white, her closest musical soulmate was a young white musician; as was her first husband, a white man.And while she counted among her friends the creme de la creme in the arts and literary worlds (Lorraine "A Raisin in the Sun" Hansbury and the writer James Baldwin-- among them) along with several of the great thinkers of the time, she was, for the most part, a shy, and somewhat internal woman.And best of all, although many of the essential events of her story are told by her here, she still manages to retain much of her mystique as an artist, activist and woman.Nina Simone was a fantastically misunderstood, highly temperamental, deeply mercurial character, but through it all she was also a trailblazer, a genius, and a uniquely Black-American individual.The music world misses her gift. And after reading her story, you will wish that she was still among us.One Love.

Great book… who new all the details

delivered as promised in great shape

Truly appreciate the authenticity of Ms. Simone's voice in this book. She tells her story on her own experiences. A wonderful way to step into the shoes of someone who lived throughout a defining time in America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe.

I read the harsh reviews and some were valid such as the quality of the book itself. It's true that some of the pictures are grainy. It obviously wasn't done by a top publisher. However, if you're a true fan of Nina Simone, this book is raw, unfiltered, uncut and in her own words. She talks about her life which is so much more than just her music. It's unjust in the reviews to judge her on the choices she made. You can find tons of information on her music but not who Ms. Simone is. Once you understand her journey through this book, you will come away with a better understanding of her music. I recommend this book to all her true fans!

Loved the book. Loved how her personality came out in the telling of her life and how open she is about everything ever. As we know Nina suffered from mental illness and reading this book it’s like two maybe 3 different Nina’s come out in telling her tales. I know there’s a writer who helped put the edits and words in at places but you’re really getting Nina in this book !!!Very sad book but extremely honest. I wish a movie is made from this book and not Zoey Salanda’s offensive movie.

I always wondered how she put so much passion and anger into her music. Now I know. She lived a very up and down life. She knew what she wanted and went after it no matter how much pain or joy is caused her. After reading this book , I can understand how she performed on stage like it was her last night on earth. She was surrounded by tough situations and a tough life. I applaud her for her fire and passion.People are saying that it wasn't written well enough, keep in mind that she was a musician first and foremost. I was happy to read this book even though the onslaught of sad moments in her life kept coming right at you. I think she was way ahead of her time and I really respect her even more after having read this book.

So spirited. So filling. So delightful and dramatic and far was the story of Nina Simone. Great book. Quick read.

Nina Simone is, in my mind, one of the most significant and influential singer-songwriters of all time. Her back catalogue of recordings is an absolute treasure. Whilst this autobiography makes an utterly fascinating - albeit brief - read, the actual book itself is a travesty. Two different fonts and appalling quality photos that are so faint they look as if they are photocopies of photocopies of photocopies. Buy this book to read about this incredible woman, but don't expect it to be a book you would like to return to again and again from an aesthetic perspective.

This was a gift for my girlfriend - she is a huge Nina Simone fan! I did read the first few chapters and this is definitely the one book to read if you want to know about this incredible human's growth into a phenomenon and the struggles that shaped her, both personally and professionally. Love in how much detail she has described childhood memories and the hope she carries. The delivery came in slightly late, a day or so after her birthday. But it was a such a good read, that I almost forgive them for it.

This is an amazing read to start understanding the life of this wonderful musician and human being. IT is quite a page turner.

What can you say about a star whose legacy is so great that there is virtually no one not knowing a Nina-Simone-song though lots of people don't know that they're hers. And that is basically what the book is about: Standing in the shadows because your black, because you're a woman and because you weren't willing to fall into line.You will like this book if you're interested in the civil rights movement and Liberia. Also, if you already liked Josephine Baker finding a home for herself in France and you probably will like it, if you're interested in what the world can do to someone not being able or not willing to do what was required of them.You'll hate it, if you hated Marlene Dietrich in her daughters book and want mothers to be nurturing.You'll hate it, if you're fed up with a female point of view.You'll hate it, if you need clarity and reason and look down on people who take drugs.You'll hate it, if you think feminism is a waste of time.I loved her even more after reading the book, although it gets messy and confusing at times (maybe due to her drug intake).

Une autobiographie à la mesure de la vie de Nina Simone. Pour la découvrir telle qu'elle a vécu. L'ouvrage est en anglais.