Saturday, March 20, 2010

Just Kids (2010)

Patti Smith promised her friend and muse Robert Mapplethorpe that she would tell their story - how they started out together as 'just kids', encouraged each other and became important artists influencing their worlds. Robert died at the age of 42 in 1989.

What captivated me about this book was these people were my age and growing up in surroundings which I knew. They were courageous for their art, whatever it might turn out to be. By moving to New York they came in contact with other artists who inspired them and allowed them to experiment.

Somehow by marrying and having children in my early twenties, I missed the whole 60s/70s scene and didn't even know who Patti Smith was until she emerged a couple of years ago with a new album. Her detailed sketches of events has all the flavor I imagined was going on in the world outside where I was then.

There are famous names and wonderful quotes throughout Just Kids. Experience the 60s with Patti and Robert. You will be amused, inspired and touched.

2 comments:

  1. Okay, you convinced me to add this to my list. Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The book won a 2010 National Book Award and Patti has a new book coming out in a couple of weeks called "Woolgathering".

    ReplyDelete