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The Cure => General The Cure Discussion => Books => Topic started by: Andy on January 31, 2006, 00:46:27

Title: "Never Enough: The Story of The Cure" by Jeff Apter
Post by: Andy on January 31, 2006, 00:46:27
Has anybody read this book by Jeff Apter, released last year?

What are your opinions?
Is it worth buying?

Cheers
Andy
Title: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: Anonymous on January 31, 2006, 05:27:18
My girlfriend has it, and it looks very interesting. It's huge and Lol Tolhurst said that finnaly someone has a closer version to what happened... so it must be at least different than the all the other books around. From what i can remember it's almost everything text and no pictures, but i'm not sure... but everyone seems to like it too...I should buy it myself!

:)
Title: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: Joe on January 31, 2006, 20:59:28
It isn't released in America until March 1st which is just lame.
Title: Never Enough
Post by: joanie on January 31, 2006, 22:30:02
I :D  reccommend this book...reading it once wasn't enough for me...I'm on my second time!!  There are some pictures in it as well...It is informative, and worth buying in my opinion.
Title: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: Andy on February 05, 2006, 23:19:36
Thanks for the comments. Think I will buy it soon. Will let you all know what I think once I've read it.

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: scatcat on December 15, 2007, 10:34:54
frustrated with Amazon!!!!  :evil:

still waiting for this book... it has been 2 months  :smth011
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: scatcat on December 18, 2007, 17:42:37
and... finally Amazon got back to me.... an estimated further 2 months for delivery... aarrghhh!!!   :smth011    :evil:
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: robiola on January 26, 2008, 20:35:22
Not to rub it in or anything, scatcat.... but I ordered it a couple of weeks ago and I got it today.... It's weird that they're making you wait so long. Well, I ordered it from Amazon UK. It would probably be quicker if I sent you my copy after I've read it!
Anyway, I didn't have time to read today, but I just opened it up and read a random sentence... And it said that Robert's nickname for Mary was "M" (hence the song title). Well, I just had to tell my husband and we had a good laugh, because our friends tease him about the fact that he always calls me "R"!
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: scatcat on January 27, 2008, 04:13:19
Quote from: robiola on January 26, 2008, 20:35:22
Not to rub it in or anything, scatcat.... but I ordered it a couple of weeks ago and I got it today.... It's weird that they're making you wait so long.

yes, like salt in an open wound   :smth089
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: scatcat on February 02, 2008, 15:36:06
Quote from: scatcat on January 27, 2008, 04:13:19
Quote from: robiola on January 26, 2008, 20:35:22
Not to rub it in or anything, scatcat.... but I ordered it a couple of weeks ago and I got it today.... It's weird that they're making you wait so long.

yes, like salt in an open wound   :smth089

i just got ANOTHER email from Amazon (f****)  The book is going to take a FURTHER 2 MONTHS!!!!  :smth011 :evil:

WTF??  :shock:
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: robiola on February 02, 2008, 16:18:26
Quote from: scatcat on February 02, 2008, 15:36:06
i just got ANOTHER email from Amazon (f****)  The book is going to take a FURTHER 2 MONTHS!!!!  :smth011 :evil:

WTF??  :shock:

Can you cancel your order? Is that possible? And try to order it from another seller, or maybe Amazon UK? I mean, it's getting a bit ridiculous.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: scatcat on February 02, 2008, 16:21:58
Quote from: robiola on February 02, 2008, 16:18:26
Can you cancel your order? Is that possible? And try to order it from another seller, or maybe Amazon UK? I mean, it's getting a bit ridiculous.

ridiculous!!  :evil: you are so right... I'll try that... thanks!!
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: scatcat on February 04, 2008, 11:09:37
Quote from: robiola on February 02, 2008, 16:18:26

Can you cancel your order? Is that possible? And try to order it from another seller, or maybe Amazon UK? I mean, it's getting a bit ridiculous.



WOOO HOOO!!! I did just what you suggested Robiola...  :smth023  I cancelled my order with Amazon.com, and ordered with Amazon.com.uk, and recieved an email today.... BOOK IS ON ITS WAY!!!!!!!  :smth041 :smth038 :smth026
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: robiola on February 04, 2008, 11:34:37
Quote from: scatcat on February 04, 2008, 11:09:37
Quote from: robiola on February 02, 2008, 16:18:26

Can you cancel your order? Is that possible? And try to order it from another seller, or maybe Amazon UK? I mean, it's getting a bit ridiculous.



WOOO HOOO!!! I did just what you suggested Robiola...  :smth023  I cancelled my order with Amazon.com, and ordered with Amazon.com.uk, and recieved an email today.... BOOK IS ON ITS WAY!!!!!!!  :smth041 :smth038 :smth026

Yay! So perhaps I am forgiven for the slight "rubbing salt into open wound" faux-pas?
Now when you read it we can chat about the contents -- I'm about halfway through it.
P.S.  Have you perchance noticed that the spell check option wants to change my nick to "reboil"? Yuck.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: Joe on February 04, 2008, 19:10:30
Is this book out of print now? I saw it a few months ago at a local bookstore and I regret not picking it up, but when checking borders.com, I only saw a few used copies.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: robiola on February 04, 2008, 20:59:25
Quote from: Joe on February 04, 2008, 19:10:30
Is this book out of print now? I saw it a few months ago at a local bookstore and I regret not picking it up, but when checking borders.com, I only saw a few used copies.

I don't think it's out of print, but it does seem hard to come by... Right now I looked on Amazon UK out of curiosity and it said "only 1 left in stock -- more coming". Just in time, scatcat! A couple of other sellers had a copy or two.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: scatcat on February 05, 2008, 05:19:07
Quote from: robiola on February 04, 2008, 11:34:37
Yay! So perhaps I am forgiven for the slight "rubbing salt into open wound" faux-pas?
Now when you read it we can chat about the contents -- I'm about halfway through it.
P.S.  Have you perchance noticed that the spell check option wants to change my nick to "reboil"? Yuck.

sounds great!! robiola..  hahaha just used spellcheck (I forget sometimes!!  :oops:)
that's way funny!! the other choices... Rubella, raviola, rebel...  :smth043 :smth046
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: japanesebaby on February 05, 2008, 08:44:05
Quote from: Joe on February 04, 2008, 19:10:30
Is this book out of print now? I saw it a few months ago at a local bookstore and I regret not picking it up, but when checking borders.com, I only saw a few used copies.

could be so. some amazon stores only seem to offer used copies, some other stores say the same:

http://www.musicroom.com/se/ID_No/0160008/details.html

then again:

http://www.deepdiscount.com/Never-Enough--The-Story-of-the-Cure-Music-Books_stcVVproductId21056469VVcatId482039VVviewprod.htm

i noticed that the sellers that list it as "available"also list it as paperback. i didn't even know there was a paperback for this - so maybe the hard cover 1st edition is out of print but there's a 2nd paperback edition(?). just guessing here, didn't check this from anywhere.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: japanesebaby on February 05, 2008, 08:45:32
here's another one available, also in paperback:

http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/1104629/Never-Enough/Product.html

by the way, i think play.com has free shipping even outside UK (at least they used to have, the last time i used them).
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: robiola on February 05, 2008, 11:21:19
Quote from: japanesebaby on February 05, 2008, 08:44:05
i noticed that the sellers that list it as "available"also list it as paperback. i didn't even know there was a paperback for this - so maybe the hard cover 1st edition is out of print but there's a 2nd paperback edition(?). just guessing here, didn't check this from anywhere.

That does seem likely  -- I got it in paperback, the hard cover wasn't listed where I looked, either.

Quote from: scatcat on February 05, 2008, 05:19:07
the other choices... Rubella, raviola, rebel...  :smth043 :smth046

Just call me raviola, baby.

Edit -- I just noticed -- 100th post! Well, compared to you guys... But to me it seems like a lot. From coolfan to curefan -- go raviola.

Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: scatcat on February 05, 2008, 13:19:45
Quote from: robiola on February 05, 2008, 11:21:19
Just call me raviola, baby.

Edit -- I just noticed -- 100th post! Well, compared to you guys... But to me it seems like a lot. From coolfan to curefan -- go raviola.

   :smth016  well done raviola!!!    :smth041

mmm... makes me hungry ....  :smth023
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: scatcat on February 12, 2008, 13:19:08
 :smth041 :smth026 :smth038

it arrived today!!!

Brand new copy... beautiful... now I just gotta find some time to read it!!!   8)
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: robiola on February 12, 2008, 15:44:39
Quote from: scatcat on February 12, 2008, 13:19:08
:smth041 :smth026 :smth038

it arrived today!!!

Brand new copy... beautiful... now I just gotta find some time to read it!!!   8)

Wow.... that was quick!
Good for you! :-D
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: silversand on February 12, 2008, 19:11:56
Wow cool you've got it scatcat!!   :smth041
Happy reading :)
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: Cold Colours on June 04, 2008, 19:15:55
I received this book yesterday as a birthday gift.  Needless to say I was impressed and quite pleasantly surprised that my friend had found a beautiful, nearly brand new copy of it.  Perfect timing, too, since I am flying high as a kite after coming back from seeing The Cure in Southern California this past week.  Cannot wait to tear into this juicy looking tome.

It is a rather marvellous time to be a Curefan again  :-D.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: firecrasher on July 01, 2008, 19:00:35
Quote from: Cold Colours on June 04, 2008, 19:15:55
I received this book yesterday as a birthday gift.  Needless to say I was impressed and quite pleasantly surprised that my friend had found a beautiful, nearly brand new copy of it.  Perfect timing, too, since I am flying high as a kite after coming back from seeing The Cure in Southern California this past week.  Cannot wait to tear into this juicy looking tome.

It is a rather marvellous time to be a Curefan again  :-D.

Did you like it? I picked it up earlier this year for $11 on Amazon and was pleasantly surprised to find a lot of things I didn't know. The extensive Lol interviews were probably the best part.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: Cold Colours on July 02, 2008, 01:46:54
Quote from: firecrasher on July 01, 2008, 19:00:35Did you like it? I picked it up earlier this year for $11 on Amazon and was pleasantly surprised to find a lot of things I didn't know. The extensive Lol interviews were probably the best part.

Haven't finished it yet.  I'm only about halfway through it at the moment.  I do enjoy hearing Dempsey and Lol's side of the story throughout the early era of the band.  Not sure I care for the author's little asides and editorial side-comments throughout but, overall, it is a pretty engaging read.  I appreciate, too, the fact that the author is not so sycophantic in his appreciation of the band that he won't hesitate to try to take the band down a peg or two when needed; not in a mean-spirited way but just a wry comment here or there that makes me chuckle and lets me know that things aren't being taken TOO seriously.

The book starts out quite impressively, too, with a harrowing account in the prologue of the moments leading up to the unfortunate incident at the Great Western Forum show in 1986, when a crazed, lovelorn cowboy guy stabbed the shit out of himself in front of a disbelieving crowd of Curefans.  Luckily for me, I was at a nascent stage of my Cure fan development and was not clued up enough about the band to be present at the show that night.  I had never heard that the guy actually succumbed from the stab wounds and died later that night.  Had I been a hardcore, card-carrying Curefan like I am these days, I probably would've been there that night.  The images generated in my mind from the written account have stayed with me.  I can't even imagine what it would've done to me had I witnessed that in person.

I'd have to say that Never Enough is well worth the hype I've read from other fans regarding it.  I'm satisfied so far.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: firecrasher on July 03, 2008, 20:40:55
He seems to be rather disparaging of Simon's bass skills! But it was a good read. Robert comes off with a few hard edges, but I suppose that's to be expected, and I have a lot more respect for Lol. And of course, the "bolivian marching powder"!
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: Cold Colours on July 04, 2008, 00:35:25
Quote from: firecrasher on July 03, 2008, 20:40:55
...and I have a lot more respect for Lol.

Agreed.  It was a pleasant surprise to read from folks like Phil Thornalley and engineer assistant Mike Nocito that Tolhurt's steady drum playing was actually a pivotal piece of the recording process on the early Cure LPs like Pornography.  Apparently his playing style was exactly what the band needed to make that early material so potent.  I stand corrected in assuming that Tolhurst didn't really contribute much to the mix for that early '80s incarnation of The Cure.  Something else that I felt enlightened about was the fact that Thornalley observed at the time how Robert and Lol had a much stronger, closer bond than did Smith and Simon.  I'm sure that's not the case these days but it was surprising to read how close Smith and Tolhurst had become back then.  Smith always gave the impression that he had only tolerated Tolhurst's company for the sake of the band in those days, yet the whole time they were practically as tight as brothers.

Reading the book makes me finally feel like I am getting the full picture tour of The Cure's history.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: figurehead on September 24, 2008, 15:31:56
well actually i think that i bought it a couple of years ago.
very nice job from Jeff.A must have for CURE fans around the world in my opinion.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: Strange Attraction on November 04, 2008, 15:54:56
I ordered mine before I went to Disneyworld but it didn't come in time for me to read it one the plane  :smth022 When I got home the first thing I did was go get my book! So far I love it !!!!
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: B-Flower on November 11, 2008, 09:33:11
Jeff Apter's book is quite interesting. I enjoyed it though I don't agree with author's point of view sometimes. But he obviously did a great job and really listened  to all the records! Besides, I think it's fair that now we could know "the other side of the story" (I mean Laurence Tolhurst, I was glad to know that he's all right now).

It's a pity that the period after Disintegration is reviewed so sketchy and not so deep though  :roll:
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: revolt_again on March 21, 2014, 10:52:38
Old thread here, but it's never too late to remember that 'Never Enough' is a must-have for anyone interested in The Cure.

Strong points:

1. Exclusive interviews with Lol Tolhurst, Michael Dempsey and other people closely connected with the band (such as Phil Thornalley, occasional bassist and producer of 'Pornography').

2. Lots of extracts of reviews and interviews with band members taken from newspapers that nowadays are probably impossible to find.

3. A comprehensive overview of the band's career, starting from when they were still children and up to around 2005.

4. The author thinks with his own mind and never gives the impression that he is licking the band's boots.


Weak points:

1. There are no exclusive interviews with Robert Smith, or Simon Gallup (there are however quite a few quotes from Robert taken from different newspapers/magazines).

2. After 'Disintegration' the book moves a bit too fast and gives the impression that it is not focussing enough on the music.

3. The author's reviews of the music come across sometimes as being too simplistic, and in particular as regards 'Pornography', his overview of the album seems to me to be too much like that of some lazy and shallow journalist.


So, the weak points are indeed relevant and should not be ignored, but they should also not deter anyone from buying the book, because, like I said, it is really a must-have.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: mooki on January 09, 2015, 04:40:34
Quote from: revolt_again on March 21, 2014, 10:52:38
in particular as regards 'Pornography', his overview of the album seems to me to be too much like that of some lazy and shallow journalist.

Aren't they all.


Also, this is a great book and taught me a lot of cool little trivia facts and what not. Not super informative but introspective enough. Although there is far FAR too much Laurence in this book. He's mentioned on every page it seems. I don't care about him and his alcoholism. I bought this to learn more about the Cure and what happens behind the scenes and if anyone, Robert.
Title: Re: Cure book: Never Enough
Post by: MeltingMan on January 09, 2015, 11:13:39
Quote from: mooki on January 09, 2015, 04:40:34I don't care about him and his alcoholism.
This is a bit harsh from today's perspective.I'm grateful for his contributions and his
point of view.