Description

Book Synopsis

'From her raging, handwritten letters to late-night phone calls with David Bowie, this biography gets up close and personal with the tempestuous Nina Simone' Observer

Drawing on glimpses into previously unseen diaries, rare interviews and childhood journals, and with the aid of her daughter, What Happened, Miss Simone? tells the story of the classically trained pianist who became a soul legend, a committed civil rights activist and one of the most influential, provocative and least understood artists of our time.

This is the story of the real Miss Simone.



Trade Review
Her willingness to speak her mind shines out of every page * * The Times * *
Arrestive telling of the high priestess of soul's life story...What makes this portrait so compelling are the extras; think of the book as a director's cut * * MOJO * *
She is loved or feared, adored or disliked, but few who have met her music or glimpsed her soul react with moderation -- Maya Angelou
Explores the huge impact [Nina Simone] made for civil rights through her music, as well as her activism * * Observer * *
Traces a path through the sad and bewildering tangle that was Simone's life * * Telegraph * *
Nina Simone was an overwhelming artist, piano player, and singer - the kind of artist that I loved and admired -- Bob Dylan
Electrifying . . . Captures how unique and real she was on every page -- Alicia Keys
Absorbing * * Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday * *
A gripping (if often grim) portrait of a woman and her legend * * Louis Wise, Sunday Times * *
Decent, respectful, conscientiously crafted and even-handed * * Uncut * *

What Happened, Miss Simone?: A Biography

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    £9.99

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    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Sat 20 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Alan Light

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of What Happened, Miss Simone?: A Biography by Alan Light

      Publisher: Canongate Books
      Publication Date: 02/03/2017
      ISBN13: 9781782118749, 978-1782118749
      ISBN10: 1782118748

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      'From her raging, handwritten letters to late-night phone calls with David Bowie, this biography gets up close and personal with the tempestuous Nina Simone' Observer

      Drawing on glimpses into previously unseen diaries, rare interviews and childhood journals, and with the aid of her daughter, What Happened, Miss Simone? tells the story of the classically trained pianist who became a soul legend, a committed civil rights activist and one of the most influential, provocative and least understood artists of our time.

      This is the story of the real Miss Simone.



      Trade Review
      Her willingness to speak her mind shines out of every page * * The Times * *
      Arrestive telling of the high priestess of soul's life story...What makes this portrait so compelling are the extras; think of the book as a director's cut * * MOJO * *
      She is loved or feared, adored or disliked, but few who have met her music or glimpsed her soul react with moderation -- Maya Angelou
      Explores the huge impact [Nina Simone] made for civil rights through her music, as well as her activism * * Observer * *
      Traces a path through the sad and bewildering tangle that was Simone's life * * Telegraph * *
      Nina Simone was an overwhelming artist, piano player, and singer - the kind of artist that I loved and admired -- Bob Dylan
      Electrifying . . . Captures how unique and real she was on every page -- Alicia Keys
      Absorbing * * Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday * *
      A gripping (if often grim) portrait of a woman and her legend * * Louis Wise, Sunday Times * *
      Decent, respectful, conscientiously crafted and even-handed * * Uncut * *

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