Hot damn that was unexpected! For I think the first time, I am uncertain whether I like the book or the movie better....I was interested in reading this because I saw the movie when it came out, then realized it was based on a book. I always like to read the book a movie is based on because the narration gives us so much more information that the visual representation. This was true with Crazy Heart also, but what I was not expecting was the surprise ending. The movie had had a good ending also. I liked it because it wasn't the Hollywood "And They All Lived Happily Ever After" ending. Granted, the book doesn't have the Hollywood ending either, and I do appreciate how it ends, but it was a big surprise.Crazy Heart is the story of Bad Blake, a country singer past his prime who is trying to get back on top. He is battling emphysema, alcoholism, and a big load of guilt for things that he did in the past. The writing is very, very good. It is honest and I believe we get a very fair image of Bad's -or almost any over-the-hill country singer's- harsh lifestyle. This is not the idyllic image of living on a farm, raising a loving family and singing songs around a campfire. Instead, there is life on the road, smoking, drinking, sex and foul language. The writing is gritty, but at times is also very humorous. I had a good laugh as Bad tried to exercise along with "the sissy" on tv. He also reserves the grease from his pork chops to make gravy, which he pours over his mashed potatoes, but he adds a salad to the meal because he has convinced himself that he needs to start a diet. I'm sure I had a smile on my face when I read that.The story unfolds very nicely. Bad is doing a small tour, mostly of dingy bars and bowling alleys. He meets a younger woman, Jean, who he starts to think seriously about. (This is a man who has already been married four times. His reason for marrying one of his wives was that she was a whiner and he thought she would stop whining if he married her. Hilarious. I wonder why it didn't work out...) The romance hits several speed bumps, like when Bad is supposed to visit her and she stays up all night waiting for him. It turns out he fell asleep at the wheel, had an accident and is in the hospital with a broken ankle. But the biggest hurdle is the alcohol, since Jean has an impressionable four-year-old son, Buddy (whose character is very well written, by the way.) Bad eventually goes into rehab, but can he make it?This is a very good story. I don't want to give away the ending, either of the book or of the movie, but I did learn that the book ending actually was a deleted scene from the movie. I saw that scene and thought that it had been a good idea to leave it out of the movie. In the end, I think I like the book and the movie equally, but I would encourage everyone to judge for themselves.
Bad Blake used to be really popular country-western song writer and guitar picker in his younger years. It has been over five years since Bad Blake put out an album. Now, he still has some fans but mostly he can be seen playing in bowling alleys and cheap motels. Bad Blake is worn out, depressed, and about ready to hang up his hat forever.Jean Craddock, a reporter from The Sun Scene approaches Bad Blake. She wants to get to know the man behind the name and legend of Bad Blake. Jean and Bad Blake form both a friendship and relationship. Will Bad Blake live up to his name or will he open his heart and let Jean in?Crazy Heart is the first time I have tried author Thomas Cobb. Crazy Heart is just like a country-western song. It is filled with heart ache, characters you can relate to, long days and even harder nights, and a good story line…combine this all together…you get a engaging and enjoyable novel. I like that in this story, Bad Blake wasn’t just portrayed as a washed out singer but someone who was also human and did have flaws but left you cheering for him. If this book wasn’t already made into a movie, I would have suggested that it needed to be.
What do You think about Crazy Heart (1987)?
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
—Julie
Bad Blake is an unforgettable character, an alcoholic, broken down, crusty country singer totally on the downswing. He's had some successes in life but mainly, he's struggled. He has attempted redemption many, many times over the years, but he keeps failing to turn his life around. He's sympathetic but most of the time, you just want to kick his ass for being such a predictable and grizzled old lout. There are interesting dynamics between him and his former protege Tommy Sweet which is a focal point of the story. At times it's hard to figure what happened with the two of them, or who is at fault for the strained relationship, if anybody. Another storyline is Bad's burgeoning romance with a young journalist who is also a single mother. It's hard to figure what she sees in him but whatever it is, it serves to give Bad hope once again. The event that becomes their undoing is very unsettling and realistically presented, and makes for some particulary genuine moments in the book. As for the ending, I think it was befitting the Bad Blake character. It was not uplifting, but it was gritty and very real.
—Bonnie E.
Both heart-wrenching and enlightening while being almost tragic, Crazy Heart gives an honest look into the late years of an alcoholic country musician. Bad Blake is an irresistibly lovable character who we imagine ourselves as along what seems to be the last stretch of road he's driving. While I'll admit the romantic side to the story is predictable, the story and meaning behind it is more than justified. We see that, despite his fading lifestyle, Bad Blake is still able to find inspiration with the potential to change; he's not hopeless, depressing or pessimistic. This is a tale well worth visiting many times for the reminder that even when completely up against the wall, hope can still remain and possibly prevail.
—Kenneth Rathburn
