Nevermind
Nirvana
Mark Lindquist
review
by: Michael Walls
Date:
9/7/02
Finally.
Someone who gets it. And can write about it.
It's tough being an "almost forty" working professional,
and still have your life revolve around music. I don't
mean being involved in the music world. I mean, music
playing a huge part in your life. Almost like a movie
soundtrack. A movie wouldn't be the same without a soundtrack
yet the movie doesn't have to be about the music.
Mark Lindquist captures the essence of a movie soundtrack
life.
Nevermind Nirvana follows the life of Pete Tyler,
Seattle native, former grunge rocker, turned prosecuting
attorney. An "almost forty" lawyer, that, by
day prosecutes murderers, rapists and other really bad
people and by night, still hangs out at the same
watering holes that his band use to play at. By day, well
respected professional. By night, a skirt-chasing, hard-drinking,
rocker.
Pete Tyler has one foot in each life, the best of both
worlds, with no intention of change.
Until a case lands on his desk, with the ability to change
everything. Pete's been shouldered with the burden of
prosecuting a local rocker accused of date rape. His two
worlds, previously separated by daylight, will now collide
in the courtroom.
Lindquist does a great job of capturing the turmoil
of Pete Tyler's life, with it's continuously running movie
soundtrack.
Music dictates everything. The music playing on Pete's
car stereo, his apartment "jukebox", his office
radio, all determine the mood and mindset of the situation.
Critical events and moments are punctuated by, or distracted
by, the music playing in the background. Certain songs
remind him of people, places or situations. While certain
people, places and situations remind him of songs.
I enjoyed this book because I can relate. We all have
our responsibilities as adults but we still enjoy
the fleeting idea that we can pack it in, and live the
"rock n' roll" life or the "movie star"
life or the "secret agent" life or whatever
"movie" plays in your head when you listen to
certain music.
I enjoyed the continuous references to bands and songs
of the past and present. I enjoy the fact that some of
my favorite songs affected Lindquist (and his alter-ego,
Pete) in the same way they affected me.
A highly recommended read for the "almost forty"
crowd especially if you're still holding on to
the idea that you might one day be able to "get the
band back together".
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