The Harder I Fight the More I Love You: A Memoir

By Neko Case

Book Overview

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
AN APPLE BEST BOOK OF THE MONTH

Singer-songwriter Neko Case paints a vivid portrait of an extraordinary life--one forged through a poverty-stricken childhood, obsessive desire, bursts of comedy, and indispensable friendships--reflecting on the way art, music, and a deep connection to nature helped her become a beloved, Grammy-nominated artist.

Neko Case has long been revered as one of music's most influential artists, whose authenticity, lyrical storytelling, and sly wit have endeared her to a legion of critics, musicians, and lifelong fans. In THE HARDER I FIGHT THE MORE I LOVE YOU, Case brings her trademark candor and precision to a memoir that traces her evolution from an invisible girl "raised by two dogs and a space heater" in rural Washington state to her improbable emergence as an internationally-acclaimed talent.

In luminous, sharp-edged prose, Case shows readers what it's like to be left alone for hours and hours as a child, to take refuge in the woods around her home, and to channel the monotony and loneliness and joy that comes from music, camaraderie, and shared experience into art.

THE HARDER I FIGHT THE MORE I LOVE YOU is a rebellious meditation on identity and corruption, and a manifesto on how to make space for ourselves in this world, despite the obstacles we face.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1538710501
• ISBN13: 9781538710500
• Release Date: January 2025
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Love

THE HARDER I FIGHT THE MORE I LOVE YOU by Neko Case One of my good friends introduced me to Neko Case about 10 years ago. He’s a big fan and has seen her live multiple times. I’m a casual listener, but I was excited to read this and get to know her more. While I wanted to learn more about her writing process and the stories behind her songs, this mainly focuses on her personal journey as a neglected child growing up in a broken family. It’s not told chronologically, but feels like she’s giving you a guided tour; explaining how her experiences and relationships have impacted her as an artist and human. There were many times, while listening to the audiobook, I wanted a physical copy to annotate. Neko has some wonderful insights and observations about life and music that really resonated with me. In short, I enjoyed and appreciate her words and music much more. Highly recommend if you’re a fan. Rating: N/A ⭐️ **No rating for memoirs.