Book Review: The Cure – A Perfect Dream

Ian Gittins has meticulously crafted a dark and emotional biography that traces The Cure’s journey from cult favorites to mainstream icons, exploring their fashion, chart successes, and periods of inactivity.

BOOK
THE CURE: A PERFECT DREAM
Ian Gittins
(Palazzo Editions Ltd)
7/10

Ian Gittins offers a compelling look at The Cure, tracing their rise from cult favorites to mainstream icons. A Perfect Dream captures the band’s journey through the lens of their music, style, and turbulent personal lives. From Robert Smith’s unmistakable image to the drama of drugs, depression, and physical clashes, this biography doesn’t shy away from the darkness that defined the group.

What sets this book apart are the unexpected tales and fresh insights into the band’s dynamic, shedding light on their evolution from the fringes of the punk scene in the early ‘80s to sold-out stadiums worldwide. Gittins balances the goth aesthetic with an appreciation for The Cure’s creativity and staying power.

While the book’s tone matches the band’s moody reputation, it’s not without its highlights—like revisiting their iconic albums. As Three Imaginary Boys celebrates its 40th anniversary and Disintegration turns 30, this book is a nostalgic, if somber, journey through the history of Pop’s Princes of Darkness. A solid read for devoted fans, though casual readers might find the gloom a bit overwhelming.