I want to thank Netgalley and the author for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book.

This book is an extremely detailed book about the Cure. It's literally an encyclopedia-like publication as the name implies. Inn many places it has quite interesting insights into the lives and experiences of the group and its members. However, as any reference book, it is really designed to be read in snippets as opposed to in the manner of a novel or long style story.

Recommended for the true Cure afficionado. More of a curiosity for the casual reader.

I have loved The Cure since I was a high school kid, but really came to appreciate them and became a huge fan when I went to college. It was the 1980’s, the college alternative music scene was really heating up, and all of the new wave British bands were coming over to America and blowing our minds. Now in my 50’s, I still love The Cure and can appreciate their role as elder statesmen representing a certain age and time. Simon Price is also obviously a huge fan, and his “Curepedia, An A–Z of The Cure” is a labor of love, capturing a plethora of information from a variety of sources of everything and anything even tangentially associated with Mr. Robert Smith and his band. It is fair to say that even a most devoted fan will learn a thing or two from this impressive collection.

As the title suggests, this is not an easy read but rather an encyclopedia: there are entries organized in alphabetical order, from A to Z, that cover both obvious elements (band members, singles, albums) and some that are tenuous / rather general (drinking, supporting bands, producers and illustrators, other bands, etc.). Each entry talks about the subject, shares facts and/or stories, and links to any other entries. For 400+ pages and countless entries, we get a full picture of the band and how they have changed the musical landscape (and no, they are not Goth!).

Is this perfect? No, there are some errors, some stretching of connections, some really unnecessary information, some duplication of facts/stories in different entries. And since it’s organized alphabetically, the reading has you going back and forth in time. Plus, Mr. Price is obviously a huge fan of Siouxsie and the Banshees since they appear way more than necessary. And reading this front to back is quite difficult. But for any Cure fan, or fan of music in general, this is a critical source for all things Robert Smith.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Dey Street Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

I would have loved this more if it had tried harder to be a real coffee table book. Instead of an easy-to-read layout with pictures, this really is like an encyclopedia with fact after fact after fact, and I'm too old for this kind of print. That doesn't mean I don't think Cure fans should read it! They really are a legend and everything about them is fascinating. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

The Cure’s been around long enough, 45 years to be exact, to have their story told, and retold in countless books, bios, and articles: they started the band when they were teens, went through several iterations before landing on The Cure, went through several lineup changes, nearly ended the band numerous times, yet came out on top. Pretty standard stuff. Cure fan and music journalist Simon Price gives us a slightly different story. In lieu of a traditional biography, Price delivers Curepedia, the ultimate guide to The Cure.

Curepedia is exactly what it sounds like; it’s a literal encyclopedia about The Cure. Price has painstakingly collected factoids, stories, myths, and legends about the band and compiled them into this hefty book. He covers a lot of ground from their robust discography to their rotating lineup and even explores their misadventures under charming entries like “Alcohol” and “Pissing.” And when Price says the book covers The Cure from A to Z, he means it. The book starts with “A Forest” and ends with “Zoology.” What does Zoology have to do with The Cure? You’ll have to read it to find out.

This is the closest you’ll get to knowing everything about the band short of speaking to Robert Smith himself. Ever wonder when and why the band started wearing makeup? There’s an entry for that. Want to know what their least favorite songs are? Price has covered that too. Curious about their many drug exploits? The book doesn’t disappoint. Gearheads will love entries dedicated to guitars favored by the band, while completionists will obsess over sections detailing Cure rarities. There’s nothing too taboo, weird, or strange for coverage. If it relates to The Cure, it’s guaranteed to be in this book.

[Full review in link]

Damn, I love The Cure. I also love learning more about The Cure.

Is this book for newbies? Yes.

Is it for life-long / decades long fans? Absolutely!

Curepedia by Simon Price is a must have for fans of the Cure.

I was excited to read this book as my husband has been a super fan since the early 1980's and I've spent the last forty something years listening to their music.

Anything I'd ever want to know about Robert Smith and the rest of the band seems to be answered and answered well! I'll be spouting trivia now like a pro.

If I have any complaints, it's that this books isn't filled with photos - at least the ARC I received wasn't. Their look is such a huge part of the band, it seemed odd that it wasn't photo filled.

I'll be buying this to gift to my husband upon release.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.