Love in Vain: A Vision of Robert Johnson

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Summary: This fine classic is the most unusual book in our catalog.
Review: "Magnificent" --Luc Sante, New York Review of Books "A masterpiece of historical significance" --Memphis Commercial Appeal "Remarkable" --Martin Scorsese (from the Foreword) "Finally someone has captured the central feel of this master musician and his times, and that man is Alan Greenberg. Take my word for it." --Keith Richards "A quantum leap of the imagination" --Dave Marsh "'Love in Vain' is a blazingly readable screenplay that I recommend without hesitation." --Greil Marcus "'Love in Vain' has accomplished what many have tried to do for years and years: that is, to develop screenplays as a new genre of literature which has its own natural right of existence." --Werner Herzog "Alan Greenberg has thoroughly researched the facts of Robert Johnson's career, but more importantly he has boldly and brilliantly reimagined the myth. LOVE IN VAIN is surreal in the original sense of the word; it transforms the reality of Robert Johnson, his time, his place, and his art, into a super-reality--sharp and vivid yet as luminous and elusive as a dream." --Robert Palmer, New York Times

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Summary: Good "script"
Review: A good script based on Robert Johnson. If you like movie scripts this one is very readable.

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Summary: Not a bad book, just not the place to start.
Review: Any author who tries to su up the life of Robert Johnson is going to have a hard time. The life of this man is a mystery beyond belief. The one thing that stands out is the music. I really feel that owning Johnson music is better than any book. Pick up the two CD set that has the booklet. Read that booklet and then put the CD's in and get ready for an experience this book can not give you. This book is good after you have done this. The music helps explain things a little more.

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Summary: A neglected American masterpiece about a great fallen angel.
Review: First released by Doubleday fifteen years ago, this humble trade paperback is as fine a literary work as any published in our time. This neglected American masterpiece about the great--and greatly mysterious--fallen angel, 1930s blues genius Robert Johnson of Mississippi, is about to be transformed into a cinematic classic as well, directed by Martin Scorsese. "This might be the best movie you'll see all year--even if it's inside your head." --Entertainment Weekly

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Summary: Colorful Story, Good Details, Fun Read
Review: For me, it was the "Notes" area that accompanies the 'script' that make this book highly recommendable. In fact, the information in the "Notes" is a fine read by itself!

The story of Johnson is part myth, part dream and occassionally part fact. This book/script is best when read as part of a larger look at Johnson and the Blues. In other words, read this - but don't stop here or you won't be getting the bigger picture.

Recommended for blues or Johnson fans. Worth the read.

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Summary: Groundbreaking Book
Review: I never read anything like this before--it was like watching an amazing movie in written form. This unique book is an undiscovered gem.

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Summary: When will someone turn this into a movie?
Review: It's a long way from the Mississippi Delta to Australia but this screenplay allowed me to visualise and feel the passion and raw edge to the music and landscape of Robert Johnson. It seems a shame that no Director has been brave enough to attempt to put this tale onto film as it could surely be an outstanding work if properly attacked. The comprehensive attached notes provide the reader with an opportunity to fill in any gaps in their knowledge to the point where one can almost picture the juke joints with their duelling musicians. The brutality of life in this community was shocking to me and the early death of Robert Johnson now seems to be less of a tragedy and more of an inevitability.

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Summary: Best damn book on Robert Johnson or any bluesman, ever.
Review: Robert Johnson was my friend. And I feel that Alan Greenberg sets the record straight about all the lies and crap about Robert's life.

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Summary: Unsung, groundbreaking, visionary masterwork for all tastes.
Review: When first published by Doubleday in 1983, this breathtaking work (soon to be directed by Martin Scorsese) was the 1st American screenplay published by a major house as literature. Its 2nd Edition includes a foreword by Martin Scorsese and beautiful photographs by the author. This overlooked work of surpassing brilliance is as great a 'portrait of the artist' as anything yet written into the canon, and its magical spiritual vision of the black soul, and the black artist's soul, is something every human being regardless of race should witness. I defy anyone to put this book down, either physically or critically!