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)

Fantastic audio book!!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Oh yeah, it's a love story that also describes the art/poetry/music scene at the time, what's not to like?

What did you like best about this story?

Patti's delivery

Which scene was your favorite?

Not one in particular, it was a series of threads in life that fit together beautifully

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end of the book made it all hit home

Any additional comments?

I had this in my library for some time and I was hemming and hawing about reading it and I now have a newfound appreciation for Patti and Robert. I wasn't so much into Patti prior but I loved Robert's work and this book explodes their partnership and Patti's poetry, which is the core of her essence. Wow, Patti, no one could not have written a better account than what you did and your vocal presence is incredible. You are now one of my favorite writer/poet/musicians!!!

Interesting

The only thing I missed was seeing pictures. I really enjoyed the fact that Patti Smith read it herself.

Because the night belongs to lovers...

Because the night belongs to lovers.....what a great story of Patti Smith & Robert Mapplethorpe. Narrated by Patti Smith.
My uncle wanted this book. After a long talk on the phone about it, I checked it out. Quite an inspiring story of 2 people thru the years in NYC....different avenues of life... homeless scene, art scene, gay scene, music scene, and living at the Chelsea Hotel.....became a Patti fan

The songs of youth...

Beautiful, heartbreaking and uplifting. I expected no less from our great punk priestess, but listening her tell their story has been one of the highlights of my literary life. Thank you, Ms. Smith. You are a gem.

One of the Most Touching Love Stories Ever Written

I'm not sure what exactly I expected but after listening I wondered why I had waited so long to read/listen to this book. Patti Smith is a poet of the highest caliber and her prose is written in a way that elicits this beauty. I thought I knew the story of each of these amazing artists individually and together but I was wrong. Listening to her words in her own voice was mesmerizing. I couldn't wait to get back in the car to listen to more. This currently is my favorite book.

Wow

Didn’t expect such a truly deep, beautiful tale of friendship and love. Patti did good

FANTASTIC FOR ALL ARTIST

This poetic documentation of NYC life of these genius artists is remarkable. It is inspiring and moving. This should be on every artist book list.

A beautiful account of the complexities of relationships

I loved this book. Patti Smith tells the honest story of love, friendship, art, and navigating life. I loved it from start to finish.

Had me hooked in about 5 minutes.

What did you love best about Just Kids?

Until listening to Patti Smith, I preferred the professional readers. I felt like I got to know her as a child, young adult and mature woman as I listened to her.

Loved this book

I loved Patti’s story, I found it so moving, Her “truck driver” voice (audiobook) transformed in my mind to a beautiful song as I fell in love with PAtti and robert. Patti seems so trusting and honest in her delivery of their story, I want to call her, I want her to be my friend. I want to know more of this genuine human. Loved this book. Thank you Patti.