Title: Hit So Hard
Author: Patty Schemel
Genre: Music Autobiography
Hit So Hard is a memoir of the drummer from the Grunge era, 90's band Hole that was fronted by Courtney Love. It's an interesting overview of the Seattle scene during that period, and the book takes the reader on an unapologetic ride through the excitement of the music being made as well as the darkness of drugs and excess. Along the way Schemel sheds light on the tragic deaths of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain (Love's husband) and Hole bassist Kristen Pfaff. Schemel herself struggled mightily with both addiction and her sexuality, and the portrait she paints of her drug dependency is harrowing. Throughout, the reader is left wondering how the author did not succumb to the same fate that befell Cobain and Pfaff. Her addiction led her to homelessness, memory blackouts, multiple attempts at rehabilitation, and Schemel's daily quest to satisfy her addiction. In the end, Hit So Hard is about survival. Schemel's story is a wild ride for readers - whether they are interested in the Grunge scene or not. Hit So Hard is a worthwhile read about a woman realizing her inner strength and using it to overcome her demons.
- Michael
