Nugent wrote his book based on many accounts from friends and acquaintances of Elliott Smith namely from the last several years of his life. Smith’s family and oldest friends did not contribute personally to any of Nugent’s research. ( )

For a significant portion of the book, I listened to Nick Drake while reading. Certainly fitting.

The tragedy of Elliott Smith is illuminated to a degree by Nugent's research and interviews, in addition to bits and pieces already existing. In the end, the length of the book (a little over 200 pages) is not justified by the observations offered and chronology traced. Here and there are repetitive statements and recaps - some barely separated by a page or two. (I seldom feel compelled to say this, but the editing left something to be desired.) Throughout it appears that we are nibbling around the edges, never quite getting to the central characters of the story. Nugent admits as much in the end. The full, inside story likely remains untold.

I purchased this book soon upon its release and have finally found the urge to read it. I haven't listened to a lot of Elliott Smith recently, but will do so now that I have finished the book. Perhaps that will spark a more positive view of Nugent's book. If not, I can't quite put forward a ringing endorsement of this biography. ( )