Review: Never Broken: Songs are only half the story

Author: Jewel Kilcher

I have long admired Jewel the Artist.  We have aged together.  We got travelled whilst young, got married, and had children around the same time (but thankfully I am not divorced – yet).  Her book of Poetry remains my favourite.

It seems we both have an understanding of trauma, loneliness, and internal self-doubt that would surprise casual acquaintances.  We share a love of philosophy (and self-help books), and both strive for a deeper understanding of life.

This book gave me a good insight into where Jewel has come from, but I felt at times she was withholding (most likely for good reason).  I would be interested to know what Lenedra Carroll and Ty Murray would write as a response to the words written.  I could not easily judge where the authenticity ended and the PR began.  Basically – I want to know her in a way only a therapist could (and that is unfair, and would make me completely the wrong therapist).

The book is a personal and intense commentary on her perspective of the human condition, how lonely fame, success, and money can be.  It reawakened my more innocent and idealistic early twenty-something self.  I remember being in love with my vision of Jewel the Artist (as well as Alanis, Lisa, Sheryl, and others).  For me, the best thing about the mid-’90s (musically) was the emergence of these wonderful female artists whose musical careers I have followed as we have all got older together.

I would like to talk to her one day, as a fan and seeker of philosophical truth.  I do not know how to express that without sounding like a stalker.  I just think she would be an interesting person to talk to.  I would also like to tell her what her music has meant to me, and how it has improved my life and sustained me whilst I was going through some difficult times.  I know my experience and understanding of life has been improved by the art she has created.