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Torment Saint
- Author
- William Todd Schultz
- Narrator
- Christopher Ragland
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 28 April 2026
- Run Time
- 17 hours 45 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
Elliott Smith was one of the most gifted songwriters of the '90s, adored by fans for his subtly melancholic words and melodies. He died violently in LA in 2003, under what some believe to be questionable circumstances, of stab wounds to the chest. By this time fame had found him, and record-buyers who shared the listening experience felt he spoke directly to them from beyond: astute, damaged, lovelorn, fighting until he could fight no more. And yet Smith remained unknowable. In Torment Saint, William Todd Schultz gives us the definitive biography of the rock star, imbued with affection, authority, sensitivity, and long-awaited clarity.
Torment Saint draws on Schultz's careful, deeply knowledgeable readings and insights, as well as on more than 150 hours of interviews with close friends from Texas to Los Angeles, lovers, bandmates, music peers, managers, label owners, and recording engineers and producers. This book unravels the remaining mysteries of Smith's life and his shocking, too early end. It's an indispensable examination of his life and legacy.
Critics Review
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[Schultz] has obviously internalized Smith's work and honors its spirit through precise, descriptive notes and observations... [It's a portrait] as heartbreaking and well-crafted as one of Elliott Smith's songs.
Los Angeles Times
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In Torment Saint, William Todd Schultz has written his own kind of love song - an account of Smith's life that does full justice to his memory and the impressive legacy of his art... Both persuasive reckoning with Elliott's inner demons and - much more important - a full appreciation and celebration, of his undeniable genius.
Bookforum
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Torment Saint will likely go down as the definitive biography of the singer/songwriter... Schultz uncovers a great deal of new information that further humanizes [Smith]... [It's] a full portrait of a troubled man who made beautiful music and left us far too soon.
Paste
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Schultz brings to his work a deep understanding of how inner and outer landscapes can affect unique and sensitive artists...But no matter how dark Smith's story gets, Schultz never loses sight of the beauty of his music.
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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Persuasive... Exposes surprises across the songwriter's body of work... Essential for fans of Smith [but] more than worthwhile for any pop music fan.
Library Journal
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Torment Saint is a highly readable, headlong dive into the far end of a tormented artist’s head space. It’s a cloudy, gray place at times, but even the saddest, darkest moments contain a beautiful silver lining.
Willamette Week
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Elliott Smith, whose soul presides over the lives of melancholy indie rockers, gets the wake song he deserves in William Todd Schultz’s Torment Saint.
Vanity Fair
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Fans of Smith's ethereal music will appreciate this book.
Booklist
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A tale as complex, dense, and poetic as Elliott himself.
Amanda Palmer
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Torment Saint is the most comprehensive and detailed account of the life of America's most under-heralded musical talent.
Examiner.com
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TORMENT SAINT: The Life of Elliott Smith will likely go down as the definitive biography of the singer/songwriter. A full portrait of a troubled man who made beautiful music and left us far too soon.
Paste Magazine
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- William Todd Schultz
- Narrator
- Christopher Ragland
- Duration
- 17 hours 45 minutes
- Release Date
- 28 April 2026
- ISBN
- 9781639739684
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Biography: arts and entertainment, Popular music, Composers and songwriters, Musicians, singers, bands and groups, Autobiography: arts and entertainment
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents Torment Saint by William Todd Schultz, read by Christopher RaglandElliott Smith was one of the most gifted songwriters of the '90s, adored by fans for his subtly melancholic words and melodies. He died violently in LA in 2003, under what some believe to be questionable circumstances, of stab wounds to the chest. By this time fame had found him, and record-buyers who shared the listening experience felt he spoke directly to them from beyond: astute, damaged, lovelorn, fighting until he could fight no more. And yet Smith remained unknowable. In Torment Saint, William Todd Schultz gives us the definitive biography of the rock star, imbued with affection, authority, sensitivity, and long-awaited clarity.Torment Saint draws on Schultz's careful, deeply knowledgeable readings and insights, as well as on more than 150 hours of interviews with close friends from Texas to Los Angeles, lovers, bandmates, music peers, managers, label owners, and recording engineers and producers. This book unravels the remaining mysteries of Smith's life and his shocking, too early end. It's an indispensable examination of his life and legacy.
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