I Put a Spell on You (book)
I Put A Spell On You: The Autobiography of Nina Simone is the 1992 memoir of Nina Simone (1933–2003), created in collaboration with Stephen Cleary.
Publication
This 192-page volume was released on February 1, 1992, by Pantheon. Following Simone's passing on April 21, 2003, a new edition was issued by Da Capo Press in 2003, which included an introduction entitled "I Know How it Feels To Be Free: Nina Simone 1933–2003" authored by Dave Marsh.
Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Prologue
- Chapters 1 through 11
- Discography
- Index
Reception
Critical responses varied. Gerald Early, writing for The Washington Post, commended Simone's early life narratives but characterized the autobiography as "sketchy and self-defensive," pointing out its limited exploration of her pivotal influence between 1958 and 1968 and the broader cultural environment she helped shape. In The New York Times, Tom Piazza highlighted her downturn during the 1970s attributed to unfortunate choices and circumstances, recognizing her inclination to shift responsibility while respecting her enduring strength.