by Neko Case
First published 2025
Grammy-nominated artist Neko Case chronicles her transformation from an abandoned child in impoverished Washington state towns to an internationally recognized musician. Raised by neglectful parents in conditions so dire she describes being "raised by two dogs and a space heater," Case found solace in the surrounding wilderness during endless hours of childhood solitude. She channels experiences of isolation, deprivation, and the small-town monotony of "slummy, one-horse towns" into sharp-edged prose that captures both suffering and resilience. Case reveals how music became her salvation, along with the friendships and artistic connections that sustained her unlikely journey from invisibility to acclaim. Her trademark wit and unflinching honesty illuminate the process of creating art from pain, finding community through shared musical experience, and carving out space for authentic self-expression despite overwhelming obstacles. This rebellious examination of identity and survival demonstrates how nature, creativity, and human connection can forge an extraordinary life from the most unpromising circumstances.
Genres: autobiography, non-fiction, biography-memoir, music
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-adversity
Setting: Washington
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
271 pages · Hardcover · Grand Central Publishing
Content warnings: abuse, child-abuse