Nina Simone's Gum: A Memoir of Things Lost and Found

As featured on BBC2's 'Between the Covers' and a Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller, Warren Ellis' Nina Simone's Gum is far more than just the unexpected story of a piece of chewing gum; it's a deeply personal, warm, and profoundly moving meditation on art, music, obsession, and the beautiful connections that can form between people. This singular work has been lauded as a Book of the Year by The Guardian, Telegraph, The Times, Irish Times, Rough Trade, Mojo, Clash, Rolling Stone, and Uncut.

Featuring an introduction by Nick Cave, who eloquently describes Ellis turning this memento – snatched from his idol's piano in a moment of rapturous awe – into "a genuine religious artefact," the book has resonated with readers and critics alike. Neil Gaiman calls it "Such a mad, happy book about art and music and obsession. I'm so glad I got to read it. It made the world feel lighter," while Max Porter praises its "praise of meaning-rich relics and magical things. Totally heartwarming project." Kevin Barry hails it as "A unique study of a fan's devotion, of transcendence and of the artistic vocation - it's got depth and great warmth. It's a beautiful piece of work."

Ellis recounts the pivotal moment on 1st July 1999, at Nick Cave's Meltdown Festival, when he witnessed Dr. Nina Simone's rare performance. In a state of awe, he crept onto the stage afterwards and took the piece of chewed gum she had left on the piano, wrapping it in her stage towel and placing it in a Tower Records bag. This seemingly insignificant object remained with him for twenty years, becoming a sacred totem, his creative muse, a conduit that would eventually lead Ellis back to his childhood and his fascination with found objects, growing in significance with each passing year.

Nina Simone's Gum beautifully explores how something so small can forge profound links between individuals. It delves into the meaning we ascribe to objects and experiences, and how they become imbued with a unique spirituality. It is a joyous celebration of artistic process, friendship, understanding, and love. Flea enthusiastically declares it "This is such a beautiful f*@king book. Thank you, Warren. I highly recommend this motherf*@ker," while Courtney Barnett found it "A beautifully written book about the power of music and objects. I powered through it in two days." Jim Jarmusch calls it "A moving, inspiration insight into a beautiful mind," and the Daily Telegraph (Books of the Year) deemed it "The year's most eccentric and joyful musical memoir."

This is a truly unique and captivating book, part memoir, part essay, part conceptual art project, all testament to the beautiful strangeness of human connection and the power of artistic inspiration found in the most unexpected of places. Warren Ellis sees significance where others might not, and in doing so, offers a glorious and heartwarming exploration of the tangible and intangible wonders of music and memory. It is, as The Times simply puts it, "Wonderful."