The publisher's blurb is pretty spot-on for The Harder I Fight the More I Love You. Case takes us back to her childhood, which includes some dark places that one would probably mention in therapy. Case's writing (“raised by two dogs and a space heater” for example) make for some lyrical storytelling even when describing unpleasant events. It all makes sense though, because these dark places are conditions that can lead to great art.

My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advance copy of this memoir about growing up, finding things to hang on to, music, finding others, touring, old cars, demolition derbies and much much more.

I don't remember how I first became aware of the singer Neko Case. I'm not sure if I heard a power pop song, a country song, or a Canadian mash-up of different bands, all of which Case was a part of. Maybe is was a CD sampler from a magazine, or a live show, as Case toured incessantly with a lot of different players. Maybe it was even a soundtrack. This is why I can't write my memoirs, I don't have a clear memory of important things. Case however has no problems, remembering, though in many cases it would be best if she forgot quite a lot. Though one can tell that everything she has ever experienced has come out in her music. While it was heck to grow up in, Case has proven she can pretty much survive anything. The Harder I Fight the More I Love You is a memoir of the life of, singer songwriter, actress, and survivor Neko Case, dealing with her childhood, her pains, the power of music, the power of animals, and the power of one person to make change for themselves.

The book begins with a description of Case's parents that sounds like the opening of a very sad song. Case's parents were two kids who got caught up in a moment, and from this Case was born. Case's parents were never happy together and Case's parents separately. Case's mother also did something that I only thought could happen in soap opera's, and had to have been awful to go through. Case's parents were broken people, something that Case came to realize rather young, and causing Case to emancipate herself at an early age. There was much wandering, and some bad situations, until music Case's one refuge slowly began to absorb Case, and open Case up to a new world, a world of like-minded people wanting to create. Drumming for a local band started something within Case. Moving to Canada made the idea even bigger. Soon Case was recording a debut album, and working on songs. And working on getting a better sense of self. Tours, meeting musicians who were supportive, and musicians who were also disappointing, became a fact of life. And so did a rising fan base that opened Case's life to more opportunities.

I have loved Neko Case since I first heard that voice. The technical name is contralto, but to me is unique, and full of both pain, anger, redemption and of course hope. Or case is doing a funny song, and that's even better. I knew a little about Case and the life she had before music, but I did not know how rough and ugly it was. And sad. I can't imagine having the parents Case had, and not being ruined by them. All credit to Case for being far stronger than I ever could. The book is sad in places, funny in others, and makes one want to watch demolition derbies, and fix carburetors in old cars. Also listen to a lot of good music. The writing is very good, painful sometimes, other times one is glad that Case found supportive people, other musicians, even people just making Case dinner. One learns alot about what a person can go through, but also learns about music, and bands and camaraderie of the road. And what vans to buy for music tours.

I liked this book a lot, but with is was a happier story. Neko Case seems if not happy, content in the life Case is living, and I hope to read and hear more about it. Fans of any of the bands Case is in will enjoy this, there are plenty of stories about music, and tours. Also readers of strong people dealing with bad things and striving will enjoy this. A really wonderful and well-written memoir.

As a fan of Neko Case's music, but not someone who follows celebrities too closely, I didn't have much in the way of expectations. Would the writing be bad? The tone vapid and self-aggrandizing? The content rigidly chronological and bogged down in minutiae? Happily, this is none of those things. Case had (what I hope is) an unusually chaotic and challenging upbringing, rife with abuse and upheaval. Through impressive determination, resilience, and the help of many friends, she succeeded in surviving and creating an impressive body of work in the process - AND ultimately processing and understanding her family's generational traumas with what seems like little outside help.
The writing is sometimes choppy and can feel a little unfocused at points, but I think it works well with the narrative. If readers experience any whiplash from abrupt transitions or stream of consciousness memories, imagine what living through them would be! The lack of (what I'd describe as) polish fits.
Ultimately, this probably has the most appeal for Case's fans, but would be an atmospheric and thought-provoking memoir for anyone who appreciates grittier books about overcoming trauma and flourishing.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

I had never heard of this author before,Neko Case. As a lover of R&R,esp.Acid Rock of the 70’s,Folk Music,R&B,Bluegrass ,Classical Music and Opera,never was into Country nor Alternative,Punk,Heavy Metal. I love reading all different bios,not just of the rich and/or famous. This was a quick read and interesting as to how coming from such a terrible upbringing with two parents that had issues from their own past, Neko not only survived with her love of music and dedication and determination to survive and succeed. Just putting up with being as part of traveling musicians in seedy bars,clubs,etc driving all over the U.S. either can make or break one,especially earning so little money for your efforts.Perseverance wins in the end if you have talent,love your craft as well as believe in yourself.
Thank you NetGalley,and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this ebook.
Book will be on sale,January 28,2025.

Neko writes just as beautifully in prose as she does in song. She's survived some harrowing circumstances and writes about them with candor and grace.

I have known Neko Case as a brilliant songwriter, so I knew I was in for a treat with this one. And it did not disappoint! Beautifully written, heartbreaking at times, but resilient and sharp. I loved every second of it!

I have always loved this musician’s work and requested the galley of her memoir on a whim. But her writing style is basically like diary entries, and from the get-go, it was too warts and all. I was never much interested in reading this anyway, and the high school confessional style turned me off. Don’t write your memoir unless you can “write” it.

Neko Case is one of my favorite musical artists - nothing quite matches her eerie, powerful alto, her gorgeously poetic lyrics. It was a pleasant surprise opening up her memoir and immediately "hearing" her in its narrative voice: it is written in a tumbling, passionate prose that can sometimes create a confusing sentence, but more often has a poetic turn of phrase I adore. Her story isn't a happy one - the woman has been through a ton of awful in her life - but it's vivacious and life-affirming. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in music, feminism, or modern folk tales.

This was such a good memoir. I have only listened to Neko Case's music sporadically but I've always enjoyed it, I'm glad I decided to give her book a try. It was introspective yet universal, and as someone who has lived in the PNW and visited many of the other places she mentioned throughout I felt particularly connected to her narrative.

This book was a good read. It was written in a stream of conscience style which made me feel closer to her. Not your typical memoir style. I think I would recommend this book to her fans, but I'm not sure I would recommend it to someone who doesn't know who Neko Case is. It was a tough read, as a lot of terrible things have happened in her life, but it's also uplifting and inspiring to learn how she overcame everything and went on to have a successful music career.

I receieved this as a digital ARC from NetGalley.

I wish Goodreads allowed half-stars like Letterboxd because this was truly 4.5 stars for me not 4.

It was great to read a memoir of one of my favorite artists. I knew the bare bones of her life story but it was really illimunating to hear her story in such honest and raw language. Every now and then she would drop an aside about life in general/being a woman/ambiguity about gender that just really *hit*

Really recommended! I look forward to re-reading closer to the book's release.