Just Kids

By: Patti Smith

Narrated by: Patti Smith

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

National Book Award, Nonfiction, 2010

It was the summer Coltrane died, the summer of love and riots, and the summer when a chance encounter in Brooklyn led two young people on a path of art, devotion, and initiation.

Patti Smith would evolve as a poet and performer, and Robert Mapplethorpe would direct his highly provocative style toward photography. Bound in innocence and enthusiasm, they traversed the city from Coney Island to 42nd Street, and eventually to the celebrated round table of Max's Kansas City, where the Andy Warhol contingent held court. In 1969, the pair set up camp at the Hotel Chelsea and soon entered a community of the famous and infamous - the influential artists of the day and the colorful fringe. It was a time of heightened awareness, when the worlds of poetry, rock and roll, art, and sexual politics were colliding and exploding. In this milieu, two kids made a pact to take care of each other. Scrappy, romantic, committed to create, and fueled by their mutual dreams and drives, they would prod and provide for one another during the hungry years.

Just Kids begins as a love story and ends as an elegy. It serves as a salute to New York City during the late 60s and 70s and to its rich and poor, its hustlers and hellions. A true fable, it is a portrait of two young artists' ascent, a prelude to fame.

©2010 Patti Smith (P)2011 Patti Smith

Critic reviews

“Smith’s beautifully crafted love letter to her friend Robert Mapplethorpe functions as a memento mori of a relationship fueled by passion for art and writing. Her elegant eulogy lays bare the chaos and the creativity so embedded in that earlier time and in Mapplethorpe’s life and work.” ( Publishers Weekly, Top Ten Books of the Year)

“The most enchantingly evocative memoir of funky-but-chic New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s that any alumnus has yet committed to print.” (Janet Maslin's top 10 books of 2010, New York Times)

“Reading rocker Smith’s account of her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, it’s hard not to believe in fate. How else to explain the chance encounter that threw them together, allowing both to blossom? Quirky and spellbinding.” ( People, Top 10 Books of 2010)

beautiful

listening to this almost feels like intruding its so deeply personal, honest and intimate. beautiful story about soulmates and living the art life.

A love story for NYC, the arts, and a lover

Thanks to Patti Smith for a story that’s original, yet classic in NYC. She gives us the first hand experience of growing up, falling in love, and finding one’s passion through love.

Exceptional. Deeply honest and thoughtful.

Patti Smith as both author and narrator delivers depth, truth, insight, a most impressive study of the life and times of two true artists. I was captivated by Patti Smith's interview with Terry Gross on the "Fresh Air" podcast and was so pleased to find this available on Audible. This compelling narrative exceeded my high expectations. Authors are rarely the best narrators but such is not the case here. I cannot now imagine this being read by other than Ms. Smith. It is as if you are following her around, looking over her shoulder as her life unfolds before her. This is just SO good. I am very pleased with the story, the narration and the high quality of the audio production. Highly recommended.

An emotional insight into two iconic figures

What did you love best about Just Kids?

I liked that it was read by the author, with her New Jersey accent. It was a simple but very moving story about 2 people who we know by their reputation. But her story is so heartfelt and ragged and human and brave. Very good company.

Which character – as performed by Patti Smith – was your favorite?

They were both very real and moving and sympathetic.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. Actually I was having a very hard sleeping for several weeks and so I played it in the afternoon and fell asleep listening and then played it all night and I would wake up and hear bits of the story and fall asleep again and then I listened all the way through while I was awake. It felt so safe and sweet, her telling about how poor they were and the traumas but with great love.

Any additional comments?

It's almost like a children's book story only about art and sex and poverty and dreams unfulfilled and come true.

wow

Haven't even finished my listen, but the buttery voice and candid style with which Patti Smith lures me in, it's my guilty pleasure...

Great listen

I was born in 1967, and grew up with the super-famous Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe. After this listen, I completely get why so many are in love with Patti Smith. And I totally get what it is to be a true artist. What a well written, beautifully narrated and exciting vision of their lives and what it was like to live in NY in the 70's.

Magnificent

Patti Smith is an artist writing about an artist, her tender lifelong friendship with Robert Mappelthorpe. The story was beautifully told in her own voice and it was an intimate reveal of their lives and the greater art scene starting from the '60s. This memoir was illuminating and moving and never felt false or self-serving. It was a privilege to listen to it.

great book

love it great vefygoog ms,smith apples and oranges and yellows and 98th in my car

Moving, loving- one of my all them favorites.

It took me some time to get used to her speaking- sort of monotone. But it ended up being so perfect for this story. Even happy moments, I only pictured barely there smiles. But it wasn't a sad story. It was one of love, loyalty, and friendship. I rarely write reviews. I can't say enough about this book. It's wonderful. Touching.

Beautiful romantic historic

I have never thought much about Patti Smith or Robert Mapllethorp. Now I am grieving that I did not seek them out. Never went to CBGBS even though I was right here in NYC. Now I love them both. Thank you Patti for a great gift of this book. Turns out my daughter hung out with Jackson in Washington Sq when they were just kids