I would have loved this more if it had tried harder to be a real coffee table book. Instead of an easy-to-read layout with pictures, this really is like an encyclopedia with fact after fact after fact, and I'm too old for this kind of print. That doesn't mean I don't think Cure fans should read it! They really are a legend and everything about them is fascinating. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

The Cure’s been around long enough, 45 years to be exact, to have their story told, and retold in countless books, bios, and articles: they started the band when they were teens, went through several iterations before landing on The Cure, went through several lineup changes, nearly ended the band numerous times, yet came out on top. Pretty standard stuff. Cure fan and music journalist Simon Price gives us a slightly different story. In lieu of a traditional biography, Price delivers Curepedia, the ultimate guide to The Cure.

Curepedia is exactly what it sounds like; it’s a literal encyclopedia about The Cure. Price has painstakingly collected factoids, stories, myths, and legends about the band and compiled them into this hefty book. He covers a lot of ground from their robust discography to their rotating lineup and even explores their misadventures under charming entries like “Alcohol” and “Pissing.” And when Price says the book covers The Cure from A to Z, he means it. The book starts with “A Forest” and ends with “Zoology.” What does Zoology have to do with The Cure? You’ll have to read it to find out.

This is the closest you’ll get to knowing everything about the band short of speaking to Robert Smith himself. Ever wonder when and why the band started wearing makeup? There’s an entry for that. Want to know what their least favorite songs are? Price has covered that too. Curious about their many drug exploits? The book doesn’t disappoint. Gearheads will love entries dedicated to guitars favored by the band, while completionists will obsess over sections detailing Cure rarities. There’s nothing too taboo, weird, or strange for coverage. If it relates to The Cure, it’s guaranteed to be in this book.

[Full review in link]

Damn, I love The Cure. I also love learning more about The Cure.

Is this book for newbies? Yes.

Is it for life-long / decades long fans? Absolutely!

Curepedia by Simon Price is a must have for fans of the Cure.

I was excited to read this book as my husband has been a super fan since the early 1980's and I've spent the last forty something years listening to their music.

Anything I'd ever want to know about Robert Smith and the rest of the band seems to be answered and answered well! I'll be spouting trivia now like a pro.

If I have any complaints, it's that this books isn't filled with photos - at least the ARC I received wasn't. Their look is such a huge part of the band, it seemed odd that it wasn't photo filled.

I'll be buying this to gift to my husband upon release.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.