I bought this book on a whim several months ago while browsing the Sub Pop store at the Seattle airport. I was a big Hole fan back in the day, although I knew nothing about the band (outside of Courtney Love, of course). Patty was Hole’s drummer.

This book is both very compelling and very depressing, as she documents her drug addiction that few people would have survived. It is an unflinching look at the Seattle music scene, drug addiction, life on the street, failed second attempts, and eventual recovery. She has an air of gratitude to have survived when so many of her close friends and bandmates did not.

She was friends with Kurt Cobain (before Nirvana fame) and was living with them at the time of his death. They shared a special friendship, and he publicly referred to her as the best musician in Hole. She also tells stories about the Seattle music scene and how she used to use with Layne Staley.

She was forced out of the band due to drug addiction, and she eventually ended up living on the streets and prostituting herself for drugs. Once she walked past a church where the doors were open and she could see a drum set inside, and had the vague recollection that used to play. She was eventually able to recover and start a new life, which included playing in a band and teaching drums. It sounds like she is doing well today.

A documentary was made based on her book, but I can find no way of watching it today. Her surviving Hole bandmates re-united to participate in the documentary.

While probably not the intention of the book, I came away with greater respect for Courtney Love. She did make several attempts to rescue her friend and former bandmate.