Just Kids

De: Patti Smith

Narrado por: Patti Smith

Bloomsbury presents Just Kids written and read by Patti Smith.

Winner of the 2010 Non-Fiction National Book Award
Patti Smith's definitive memoir is an evocative, honest and moving coming-of-age story of her extraordinary relationship with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe

‘Sharp, elegiac and finely crafted' Sunday Times
‘Terrifically evocative ... The most spellbinding and diverting portrait of funky-but-chic New York in the late '60s and '70s that any alumnus has committed to print' New York Times
‘Render, harrowing, often hilarious' Vogue

In 1967, a chance meeting between two young people led to a romance and a lifelong friendship that would carry each to international success never dreamed of. The backdrop is Brooklyn, Chelsea Hotel, Max's Kansas City, Scribner's Bookstore, Coney Island, Warhol's Factory and the whole city resplendent. Among their friends, literary lights, musicians and artists such as Harry Smith, Bobby Neuwirth, Allen Ginsberg, Sandy Daley, Sam Shepherd, William Burroughs, etc. It was a heightened time politically and culturally; the art and music worlds exploding and colliding. In the midst of all this two kids made a pact to always care for one another. Scrappy, romantic, committed to making art, they prodded and provided each other with faith and confidence during the hungry years—the days of cous-cous and lettuce soup.

Just Kids begins as a love story and ends as an elegy. Beautifully written, this is a profound portrait of two young artists, often hungry, sated only by art and experience. And an unforgettable portrait of New York, her rich and poor, hustlers and hellions, those who made it and those whose memory lingers near.

©2010 Patti Smith (P)2011 Patti Smith

She is a legend, so full of heart

Patti Smith is a legend.

This memoir is a delight. Absolutely crucial for anyone interested in New York, the 60s and 70s, punk, art, music, poetry, and life.

I had previously read the punk oral history tome of Please Kill Me, which had many interviews with Patti Smith about her seminal time at Max's Kansas City and CBGB's, and I thought I had a decent impression of her. I was aware of her music, and that she came from a poetry background. Little did I know how much heart and talent in writing she held.

While Please Kill Me often aimed to shock, her own memoir Just Kids is full of soul and beauty. It is unapologetically sentimental, nothing wrong with that at all. There is the gay sex and occasional drugs and that sort of thing, but it's all told in such beautiful prose as simple parts of life. It's not about extremes, just getting at the root of what truly happens in one's love-filled memories...

Costar of this memoir is photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. They were famously friends, starving artists together struggling (and by struggling it was really bad in those early years indeed) in New York until they made it big. Their first meet-cute as she was running away from an older man trying to take advantage, their shy courtship, adventures at the Chelsea Hotel, the path he took as he explored BDSM and became such a controversial artist which she wasn't even into. Though ultimately he wasn't her orientation, they truly seemed to be soulmates throughout their lives.

The story jumps around, filled with so many precious details about New York in the 60s. When the punk era 70s come around, and Patti finds success, the stories then rush on by. Aside from a few excellent vignettes about how her most memorable songs were written, this particular part of her life is not really the point. She relishes in what made her an artist in the first place, rather than reliving the whole rock star life. In fact, the story if anything then kind of skips far away to the late 80s when Robert sadly contracted HIV and eventually passed. It's not fun, but it is what happened and that's the story to focus upon. These deep truths are what it's all about.

This is the Patti Smith aesthetic, her writing craft, and it is a valid powerful work of art.

Note: I listened to the audiobook edition, read by the author, which leaves me with such an impression.

So anyway, throughout it all, from beginning to end, they were ultimately just that: Just Kids

And as so eloquently said, one hopes, Paths That Cross Will Cross Again...

Pure gold.

This audio book had me spellbound. I was transported - lost in the world of Patti and Robert, New York City, 1960's and was oblivious to everyone and everything around me. I hung off every word, and 'couldn't put it down'. If you admire the work of Robert Mapplethorpe and/or Patti Smith you will love this book like I did. But I think even if you have never heard of either of them, you will love it. It stands alone as a love story, a life story, beautifully crafted. That Patti Smith herself has narrated the book makes the audio book even better than reading it visually would be. Her voice adds to the magic. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Incredible, beautiful book

I highly recommend this book! The fact that it is read by Patti Smith makes it even that much more powerful!

Already loved both Robert and Patti

and this made me love them more than before, with extra insight into how they were when they worked and into their dynamic as people

true and touching testimony of life, art and love

priceless testimony of the story of two wonderful artists, told with a poetic and enchanting

Magical journey

This was one of those books you cannot put down, I was totally transported back in time to the Chelsea Hotel with the essence of being a struggling artist, poet and creative. And to have Patti read it, beautiful, raw and touching living memories… brilliant!

The Artist’s World

Amazing journey into the lives of two soul mates and how they evolved. Beautifully written and the narration at first felt slow but then apt.

Masterpiece

I did not expect to fall in love with this book as much as I have. The story is beautifully written in Patti Smith’s poetic style and the audio book takes the experience to another level hearing the raw emotion and joy in her voice.

Read this if you are at all interested in art.

drawl-ings

If you could sum up Just Kids in three words, what would they be?

Very Good Indeed

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not really applicable as it's a memoir. Possibly 'the period' is the best character.

Have you listened to any of Patti Smith’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to any other of her performances. I listened to this book for the insight to Robert Mapplethorpe. Discovering Patti Smith along the way was an outstanding bonus. I'll certainly read any other memoirs she brings to the market.

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

Excellent. Unequivocally so.

Any additional comments?

None

Artist Tribe

What made the experience of listening to Just Kids the most enjoyable?

Having Patti Smith narrate it

What did you like best about this story?

It re-connected me to my path as an Artist. It made me long for creativity and self-expression in a way that is poetic and meaningful. One of the most inspiring stories I've read/listened to for living a unique and self-directed life.

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

Patti's

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Free Soul

Any additional comments?

Patti is an amazing storyteller with a unique voice, as unique as her life story and the characters that are a part of it. She is a wise and intuitive woman and her tale is deep and poetic.