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Just Kids
- Narrated by: Patti Smith
- Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
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Summary
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.
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- Anna Li
- 19-05-16
Mild-mannered woman goes through life. The end.
What didn’t you like about Patti Smith’s performance?
The woman cannot pronounce 'drawing' to save her life. And she says 'drawing' a lot. Finding out during the book that she used to do poetry readings I'm like.... wut. Could be that her way of speaking is good for a short poem, but it's tedious for the duration of a whole book.
You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?
I liked the little snippets of observations about her contemporaries. But there's a long way between them.
Any additional comments?
This was just a colourless narration of stuff that happened. I didn't feel close to the people in it, or drawn in by her journey, but I might just not be into this kind of stuff.
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13 people found this helpful
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- Emma
- 01-12-15
The most spectacular experience
What made the experience of listening to Just Kids the most enjoyable?
The narration and the beauty of the language, harmonising fully with the story, made this my most enjoyable audiobook experience for me to date. I was not into Patti Smith nor very fascinated by the age or Chelsea Hotel before but needed to start going through her work afterwards. And felt an extreme urge to quit my job, sit on a floor and create, and just listen to this over and over (I just barely manage to refrain though)
What was one of the most memorable moments of Just Kids?
The story in itself is not really what makes this book. All the moments where Patti Smith lets us peak below her skin, the vulnerable moments, the moments of sheer joy, the uncertainties of life- those are why this book is such a treasure.
Which character – as performed by Patti Smith – was your favourite?
The story is read with one voice, not portraying the people she has met in her life by different voices, but rather as personal recollections of events.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There were occasions of tears running down my cheeks, despite sitting on the commuter train. And episodes where I giggled. But which of all the reflections and events that will move the listener are probably different for every person. Just be prepared to be emotionally involved at some level.
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13 people found this helpful
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- Nadia
- 19-05-15
Great book v interesting and moving
great book makes you think about your life as ana artist and the infinite connection to God. Inspiring and moving and engaging!
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7 people found this helpful
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- woodwild
- 25-11-15
Wow
As good as it gets, funny, sad, insightful, tragic, rocking and told with honest warmth that you hear rising from the words and the authors own reading.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Bad Dad
- 09-02-16
Oh yes! Now I remember why I liked the Ramones...
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
Along with the Velvets, Television, New York Dolls, Ramones, Jonathan Richman, and Iggy Pop, Patti Smith played as the American part of background music to my late teen years. I didn't quite 'get' her then, and after listening to this I have to admit that I'd she just ain't to my taste. My partner was less generous and asserted 'Up herself! Wannabe Bloomsbury in NYC with all the snobbery and less of the humour.' Possibly too harsh?
The narration is Patti Smith (fairly monotone), the words quite poetical, the story unsurprising, and just occasionally touching. It is informative, and helps fill out the picture of the times, the NY scene, and some insight into Maplethorpe... but ultimately left me cold and unmoved.
How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?
A few recipes or how to cook with one ring at the Chelsea Hotel? Perhaps a Blue Peter like guide to necklace making with Robert?
Did the narration match the pace of the story?
Perfectly 1.75mph
Was Just Kids worth the listening time?
if you'd rather visit a poets graveyard in Paris than pogo in the pub.
Any additional comments?
Bet she doesn't have a guilty pleasure in her whole album collection, a P.G Wodehouse on her shelves, or a copy of Hello in the bog. But hey! Gabba gabba hey!
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5 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 09-02-17
I was immersed in Just Kids
It's a fascinating story, whether you are fan of Patti Smiths' music or not. It's beautifully written in such poetic way. It transported me to exciting NYC in the 60s and 70s, about the struggle and drive of two people to make it as artists, and their love, relationship and admiration for one another. It's full of poetry, I absolutely loved it.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Ben Denison
- 04-01-16
Just Beautiful
Just beautiful from start to finish. Can't wait to find out all about her work now.
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4 people found this helpful
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- P
- 11-11-15
Love and Art
A story of love and art. A story worth telling. A story of a time.
Beautiful.
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3 people found this helpful
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- BenGee333
- 20-09-15
a very beautiful , romantic , sad book
about a very beautiful , romantic , happy life
i knew nor thought about patti smith , a friend urged me to read this book , i am so glad i did
i read [ on kindle ] while She read to me on audio book , She has a beautiful voice and a wonderful way of saying ' drawings ' [ which to me sounds like ' DRAWLings ' ]
i experience [ the tiniest part of the life of an artist ] and have lived off the power and energy that experience infused in my soul , this book spoke to that part [ and others ]
it's better to have loved and lost ...
knowing love [ art , work , people , inspiration , romance ] like that one can live [ and mourn ] a lifetime more ...
patti you wrote a lovely book , thank you for your honesty in sharing stories of your life
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3 people found this helpful
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- Gargamel
- 09-07-15
The greatest love story I've ever come across
Calling this a love story might be underselling it, but in the broader sense it is a love story. Perhaps an unconventional one, but most probably the greatest one I've ever come across.
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2 people found this helpful