Society's Child

My Autobiography

By: Janis Ian

Narrated by: Janis Ian

Audie Award, Narration by the Author or Authors, 2013

Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Album, 2013

Booklist Top 10 Biography Audiobooks

The book that inspired the award-winning documentary, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence.

Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer and author, Janis Ian took the stage at age fifteen with a revolutionary song about interracial relationships, "Society's Child." It was 1966 and the country responded with both hostility and accolades. The song went to #1, and Janis was caught in the maelstrom of a divided country. Terrified by the hatred directed at her, she left the music industry, only to return a few years later with the worldwide hit "At Seventeen." The story never ends-her songs are currently used by artists as diverse as Bette Midler, John Mellencamp, and Celine Dion; and she is considered one of the pre-eminent acoustic guitarists of our era by such notables as Chet Atkins.

In "Society's Child," you'll journey with Janis as she spends time with luminaries of the century-Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin-singers and songwriters who both influenced and befriended her. Her book takes an unblinking look at the music business, her own remarkable path through it, and what was really happening backstage-with honesty and integrity.

©2008 Janis Ian (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Each chapter in this mesmerizing memoir begins with an evocative lyric read and sung by Ian, who transports listeners back in time with both words and music." (Booklist)

she won me over

first time author for me. I can't say I was a Janis Ian fan before I listened to this book but I am now.

Janis was always about her music, this come clear in the book. What comes clear in the book is how the underbelly of the industry comes to the fore.

All she ever wanted to do was produce music. She trusted those around her to her fault. Most everybody she knew let her down, big time. In the end they were all leaches.

It's amazing she survived as well as she did.

This is an excellent book.

Beautiful!

I love this book, and especially hearing Janis Ian read it in her own voice. I’ve always loved her music, but had no idea about the things she endured in life. She is an amazing woman.

Loved it

What an amazing and unexpected life! The book is a slow starter but stick with it because what follows is a story worth hearing.

A Poignant Autobiography

Society’s Child
My Autobiography
Janis Ian

MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER Audible
PUBLISHED June 7, 2012
NARRATOR Janis Ian

A poignant book, written from the heart of a creatively brilliant woman with amazing perseverance.

SUMMARY
Janis Ian wrote her first song at twelve and was launched into the spotlight in 1966, at 15 when her song Society’s Child became a hit. This was only the beginning of a long and illustrious career for the young genius. Ian chronicles her 40 years in the music business and how she did drugs with Jimi Hendrix, and went shopping for Grammy clothes with Janice Joplin all the while never ceasing to create resonating music.

In 1975, Ian‘s song At Seventeen earned two Grammy awards and five nominations. Her next two albums brought her worldwide platinum hits. But after seven albums in seven years, she walked away from the music business. During this period, she struggled through a difficult marriage and a sudden illness that very nearly cost her life. The break from music lasted for close to a decade until in 1993, Janice returned with the release of the Grammy nominated Breaking Silence. In SOCIETY’S CHILD, JANIS IAN provides a deeply honest account of the successes and failures and hopes and dreams of her life.

REVIEW
JANIS IAN is revealed as an amazing woman with tremendous inner strength, who was not afraid to show us her weaknesses in this emotionally powerful book. All her creative and lyrical storyteller skills evident in her music, are apparent in SOCIETY’S CHILD. IAN reveals an uncanny amount of turmoil; molestation, abuse, theft, illness, and the IRS. It is inspiring that after all the bad, that she was willing and able to get back on her feet, and find joy in her life again. Not only did she persevere, but that she chose to honestly share her life story with us, is a gift. It’s an expertly delivered self-portrait of an amazing artist.

The audiobook includes IAN singing a portion of a song in the introduction to each chapter, and detailing the song’s inspiration. Music and biography lovers will delight in Society’s Child. The audiobook won three awards: Audi Award, Narration by Author, 2013; Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Album, 2013; and Booklist Top 10 Biography Audiobooks.

WONDERFUL

Love this bio!

Every time I stopped listening, I couldn’t wait to start again.

Janis’s voice and songs pulled me into her story and made feel as if I was right there. What a amazing strong woman!