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Just Kids

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Improbable as it may seem, photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and rock icon Patti Smith were the closest of friends from the time they arrived in Manhattan in the late 1960s. This memoir is about their friendship, their artistic coming of age, and a very particular time and place, Manhattan in the late 60s and early 70s. Patti Smith's writing has a very poetic quality to it, unsurprisingly, being an incredible lyricist and poet. The book delves into the NYC art scene of the late 60's and early 70s, providing a glimpse into the artistic and cultural time of that era.

Writing/Prose:

Smith's writing is characterized by its poetic and evocative nature, vividly bringing to life her experiences and emotions.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows Patti Smith's journey as a struggling artist in New York, detailing her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe and their shared creative pursuits.

Setting:

The setting of the book immerses readers in the cultural landscape of New York City during a historic artistic period.

Pacing:

The pacing is contemplative, with moments of depth balanced by narrative progression.
WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG, MY MOTHER TOOK ME FOR walks in Humboldt Park, along the edge of the Prairie River. I have vague memories, like impressions on glass plates, of an old boathouse, a circular band ...

Notes:

Patti Smith wrote 'Just Kids' primarily about her early life as a struggling artist in New York during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The memoir focuses on her relationship with fellow artist Robert Mapplethorpe, who became a significant voice in photography.
Smith and Mapplethorpe lived in poverty, often relying on friends for support and space to stay.
They attended a vibrant cultural and artistic scene, frequenting places like the Chelsea Hotel and Max's Kansas City.
The book captures the atmosphere of the time, detailing their struggles and friendships with notable figures like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Andy Warhol.
Smith's writing is described as poetic and lyrical, reflecting her background as a poet.
Despite their romantic relationship, Mapplethorpe later identified as gay, leading to complex dynamics in their friendship.
'Just Kids' won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2010, highlighting its critical acclaim.
The memoir also tackles themes of love, creativity, loss, and the impact of the AIDS epidemic on their lives and friendships.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include discussions of poverty, drug use, and the AIDS crisis, which can be sensitive subjects for some readers.

From The Publisher:

WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

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 Forty-Second 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 sixties and seventies 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.

Ratings (32)

Incredible (11)
Loved It (14)
Liked It (5)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (83):

Read It (31)
Want To Read (39)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (12)

3 comment(s)

Incredible
6 days

It might be embarrassing for me to admit that I did not know about Patti Smith before I've seen her book. But I was still drawn to it and I'm so glad I've read it. I loved her ways of writing and making me care about her and everyone else in the book without me knowing anything before. I was so invested and emersed in her story and I cannot wait until I read more by her. Might need to look up her more after this

 
Loved It
6 months

Can't find a similar book so picked this

Just Kids by Patti Smith is a memoir that chronicles her deep and enduring friendship with artist Robert Mapplethorpe. Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1960s and 70s New York City, the book captures their journey from struggling artists to influential figures in the art world. Smith’s narrative begins with their serendipitous meeting and follows their intertwined lives, highlighting their mutual support, artistic growth, and the challenges they faced. The memoir is both a love story and an elegy, celebrating their bond and the creative spirit that defined their era

 
Loved It
8 months

This story was so human. I felt like I was living right along with Patti. Beautiful.

 
 
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