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M Train
- Narrated by: Patti Smith
- Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
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M Train
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Summary
Bloomsbury presents M Train by Patti Smith, read by Patti Smith.
M Train begins in the tiny Greenwich Village café where Smith goes every morning for black coffee, ruminates on the world as it is and the world as it was, and writes in her notebook. Through prose that shifts fluidly between dreams and reality, past and present, and across a landscape of creative aspirations and inspirations, we travel to Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul in Mexico; to a meeting of an Arctic explorer’s society in Berlin; to a ramshackle seaside bungalow in New York’s Far Rockaway that Smith acquires just before Hurricane Sandy hits; and to the graves of Genet, Plath, Rimbaud and Mishima.
Woven throughout are reflections on the writer’s craft and on artistic creation. Here, too, are singular memories of Smith’s life in Michigan and the irremediable loss of her husband, Fred Sonic Smith. Braiding despair with hope and consolation, M Train is a meditation on travel, detective shows, literature and coffee. It is a powerful, deeply moving book by one of the most remarkable artists at work today.
Critic reviews
"This book is so honest and pure as to count as a true rapture." (Joan Didion)
"Patti Smith has graced us with a poetic masterpiece, a rare and privileged invitation to unlatch a treasure chest never before breached." (Johnny Depp)
"A tender, harrowing, often hilarious portrait of young lovers forging their paths in an eccentric milieu of Beat poets, Warhol socialites, and transvestites, rock stars and artists." (Vogue)
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What listeners say about M Train
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- noname
- 10-05-20
Beguiling, wistful, tragic and inspirational.
Patti Smith narrates these stories with a kind of languid beauty. These tales are from the story of her life and give an insight into her creative process. A masterful book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- amanda casley
- 10-01-22
another insight into Patti's world
enjoyable diary from Patti Smith about her creativity, love of NY, her family and travels
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mittageisen
- 06-01-24
A beautiful, poetic memoir read with passion.
M Train is a captivating memoir by the legendary rock poet and artist Patti Smith, who narrates her own book with a voice that is both intimate and haunting. Smith takes us on a journey through her dreams, memories, and travels, weaving together stories of her life, her loves, and her losses. She visits the places and people that have inspired her, from Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul in Mexico to Sylvia Plath’s grave in England, from Jean Genet’s tomb in Morocco to Kurosawa’s memorial in Japan. She also shares her passion for books, coffee, detective shows, and photography, revealing the details of her daily routine and her creative process.
M Train is not a linear or chronological narrative, but rather a collage of impressions, reflections, and emotions. Smith’s prose is poetic, lyrical, and evocative, creating a vivid sense of place and mood. She writes with honesty, humour, and grace, expressing both joy and sorrow, hope and despair, gratitude and longing. She invites us into her mind and heart, showing us her vulnerability and strength, her wisdom and curiosity, her generosity and humility.
M Train is a beautiful and inspiring book, a testament to Smith’s artistic spirit and resilience. It is a rare and privileged invitation to unlatch a treasure chest never before breached1. Listening to Smith’s voice, we feel as if we are sitting with her at her favourite café, sharing a cup of black coffee and a conversation. M Train is a book that will stay with you long after you finish it, a book that you will want to revisit again and again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 06-02-24
A true artist
Read this book lots of times but having Patti read it makes it so much more. A true artist of fascinating experiences.
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- Chris P
- 24-07-23
Don’t think, just get it
What a wonderful few hours, listening to Patti Smith talk. Well worth an Audible credit.
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2 people found this helpful
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- papapownall
- 27-03-20
The intimate life of an extraordinary artist
I have always liked Patti Smith. Untypically for a book of this type she writes not about her achievements in her work but of the intimate aspects of her life. Anyone who has read or listened to her previous book "Just Kids" will know of the love she had for her husband, the late Fred "Sonic" Smith and there are further stories here about their live together. She also writes about things that matter to her in her life such as an ill fitting black coat that was given to her as a gift and stones she has collected from her travels and of her home at Rockaway Beach and nights in London hotel rooms watching ITV3 box sets. I found Patti's voice to be warming and endearing and I loved every minute of listening to this. Patti Smith is an extraordinary artist and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- A. C. Brawn
- 06-08-23
Utterly charming
I really enjoyed this book. The narrator was the perfect voice for the story. Very funny and utterly charming, I purchased the second book straight awaan will be starting it now.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- ruth kriegel
- 29-03-22
A fascinating journey.
A beautiful listen. i loved it. I am going to straight back to the beginning.
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- G F.
- 16-03-24
A warm, delightful ramble
This felt like a wonderful long walk and fireside encounter with Patti, and I loved every moment and will do so again. Absolutely captivating observation of a long series of quite different memories, brought to life like a collection of paintings. I loved it.
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- A Mof
- 22-04-24
Wonderful visions ideas dreams & passions into my ear & my minds eye
Transportive memories thoughts and experiences -spoken to us (although it seemed she spoke only to me) & told kindly and passionately -a wonderful journey shared
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