Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe

By Je on 3rd February, 2011

As I mentioned earlier this week, I started reading Just Kids, a memoir by American singer-songwriter, Patti Smith.

Patti writes about her lifetime love and friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe – a well-known photographer who passed away in 1989 from AIDS. Starting in 1967 when they met each other, the story is set in New York City during the 60s and 70s, a backdrop for the Vietnam War and an artistically brilliant time in America’s history that included Allen Ginsberg, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Andy Warhol and The Factory.

It was the summer Coltrane died. Flower children raised their arms… and Jimi Hendrix set his guitar in flames in Monterey. It was the summer of Elvira Madigan, and the summer of love… and it was the summer I met Robert Mapplethorpe.

I’ve always had a fascination with the 60s and 70s, with flower children and a lifestyle that was free of sexual and drug inhibitions. I’ve often remarked that I’d love to be reincarnated as a hippie in the 70s. I am absolutely fascinated with this time frame, so Just Kids seemed like a perfect book for me. And oh – was I so right! I’m only 20% of the way through it (so says my Kindle), but I’m already in love. Her prose is brilliant, her story nostalgic and fascinating, and their love for each other magnificent.

Just Kids was Amazon.com’s Best Books of the Month, January 2010, and a National Book Award winner in November – I highly recommend it!

Currently Feeling: Crazy busy – why is it that going on vacation is so dang stressful? I’m squeezing two jobs, for two weeks, into one.
Currently Anticipating: Hawaii! Duh. Less than a week away now!
Currently Needing: To curb my online shopping habit. Ahh! So addicting to receive boxes in the mail!

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  • http://www.confessionsofacohabitant.com allison

    Just walked past this book in Target on Sunday and added it to my reading list.

    • http://thatswhatjesaid.com/about Je

      Oh Allison, you’re going to love it! It’s one of those books that I wish I didn’t read, just so I could have the pleasure of reading for the first time again. I freakin’ loved it!!

  • http://mininggarnet.wordpress.com Garnet

    Read it in December and could not put it down. Enjoy!
    Garnet recently blogged..Beliefs and a farewellMy Profile

    • http://thatswhatjesaid.com/about Je

      Thank you Garnet! I scheduled this post, and actually wrote it Sunday night… I finished it yesterday and LOVED it. I was crying on the elliptical at the gym! Patti Smith has led an amazingly interesting life, and she has a gift for writing.

      • http://mininggarnet.wordpress.com Garnet

        Ugh, I definitely remember crying a few times throughout the book! Their commitment, love and understanding towards one another was so beautiful and rare. Glad to hear you loved it!!
        Garnet recently blogged..Beliefs and a farewellMy Profile

  • http://runbitchesrun-ells.blogspot.com/ Ells

    Ohh I can’t wait to read this one. I’ve heard interviews with her about it, and I’ve been repulsed/fascinated by RMapple for years.
    Ells recently blogged..Ch-ch-ch-chaay-yanges and also some notes on trends in the southMy Profile

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