A first glance of the cover of Dirty Blonde and beneath the title you’ll notice the line “The Diaries of Courtney Love”. Diaries are a term one would use rather loosely to describe what this book actually treats the reader to, for it features much more than mere diary entries. It invites the reader into visually luscious collages full of remnants from Courtney’s past from childhood to present. We’re treated to never before seen photographs, personal letters, school reports and rambling lyrical notes that form the foundations of the songs that have cemented Courtney as a singer, songwriter and a force to be reckoned with.

Courtney Love is not someone who can be easily summed up or defined. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or a casual observer of Ms Love’s you can be assured that Dirty Blonde will give you a whole new insight into her often misrepresented world, a world kick started by a childhood where the word “unconventional” would be a ridiculous understatement. Courtney’s was an upbringing that would have broken most, but in her case it clearly worked as an aphrodisiac for success, and fueled her drive to be loved, to move onwards, upwards and to strive for something more than what life had given her to begin with.

Her drive and ambition, combined with a fierce intellect saw her rise from pages of dark poetry, bleak letters and diary entries written from within the walls of juvenile detention halls through the glam fag bars and punk subcultures of America, ultimately leading her to become the lead singer of the band Hole – the vehicle that allowed her to unleash her talent on the world.

From here Courtney moved into the world that exists but for a chosen few – one bound by fame and success, but not without its own exclusive set of pitfalls. This time brings about a dramatic change in the book, the pages suddenly brimming with signs of life at the top – candid shots with Elton, Donatella and Liz, make up sessions with the late and great Kevyn Aucoin and personal correspondence cards from Marc Jacobs full of gratitude pertaining to a mystery gift. It’s all still scattered amongst the grubby notes of lyrical musings and poetic observations however, indicative of a life still bound by tragedy and dysfunction.

The last few years of Courtney’s life have not been the best to say the least, but it looks as though the relentless doses of “annus horribillis” for the Queen of Rock have finally come to a close. This is particularly evident within the book’s final chapter, which focuses on the evolution of the lyrics from her upcoming solo album. This sneak preview on paper is enough to indicate that she could quite possibly be on the edge of musical greatness with this next album.

One thing is for sure, there is still a lot more to look forward to from Courtney Love.

Wanna read it for yourself? Why not win yourself a copy?