Nina Simone's Gum

A Memoir of Things Lost and Found

By: Warren Ellis

Narrated by: David Noonan, Francis Upritchard, Warren Ellis, Maria Chatzchristodoulou, Ann Demeulemeester, Leo Whetter, Nick Cave

From award-winning musician and composer Warren Ellis comes the unexpected and inspiring story of a piece of chewing gum. Featuring original music by the author and an introduction by Nick Cave.

The Times top 10 best seller, now with an Afterword by Warren Ellis.

A Guardian, Telegraph, The Times, Irish Times, Rough Trade, Mojo, Clash, Rolling Stone, Uncut Book of the Year.

From award-winning musician and composer Warren Ellis comes the unexpected and inspiring story of a piece of chewing gum.

I hadn't opened the towel that contained her gum since 2013. The last person to touch it was Nina Simone, her saliva and fingerprints unsullied. The idea that it was still in her towel was something I had drawn strength from. I thought each time I opened it some of Nina Simone's spirit would vanish. In many ways, that thought was more important than the gum itself.

On Thursday, 1st July, 1999, Dr Nina Simone gave a rare performance as part of Nick Cave's Meltdown Festival. After the show, in a state of awe, Warren Ellis crept onto the stage, took Dr Simone's piece of chewed gum from the piano, wrapped it in her stage towel and put it in a Tower Records bag. The gum remained with him for 20 years—a sacred totem, his creative muse, a conduit that would eventually take Ellis back to his childhood and his relationship with found objects, growing in significance with every passing year.

Nina Simone's Gum is about how something so small can form beautiful connections between people. It is a story about the meaning we place on things, on experiences and how they become imbued with spirituality. It is a celebration of artistic process, friendship, understanding and love.

©2021 Warren Ellis (P)2022 Faber & Faber

Critic reviews

"Warren has turned this memento, snatched from his idol's piano in a moment of rapture, into a genuine religious artefact." (Nick Cave)

"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." (Neil Gaiman)

"In praise of meaning-rich relics and magical things. Totally heartwarming project." (Max Porter)

I loved everything about it

As I knew I would. Only Warren Ellis could have written this book and anyone who has admired his work over the years will adore it.

Nice Listen

This book was recommended by a friend after I revealed that I carry the ashes of a beloved friend in the glove compartment of my car, so the book enhanced the significance of the ashes in my glove compartment. It also introduced me to the fabulous music of the Dirty Three. While I was familiar with Warren Ellis’s contributions to the Bad Seeds and Grinderman, I was not familiar with the Dirty Three, which I have thoroughly enjoyed while listening to this peculiar book.

a different Warren Ellis

I had no idea this was an entirely different warren ellis from the comic book writer but I'm glad I made the mistake. a great reflection on a music career and the way an object can connect to a memory

Masterpiece

How lucky we are to have artists like Warren Ellis
So good I’m about to start it again.