Have you ever watched an episode of VH1's Behind the Music? It was a documentary series that was very popular in the 90s. I don't know for sure, but I would bet money that Reid was inspired by it, because this book felt like an extended episode of it. As such, I experienced quite a bit of nostalgia as I was reading this and therefore loved it. But my larger point is I don't think it was lazy writing at all. I think what she was doing was very intentional.