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31st out of 380 books
—
560 voters
Love, Janis
by
Laura Joplin
When Laura Joplin stumbled on a bundle of old letters from her famous big sister, she discovered an innocent, eager-to-please side of Janis that no one had suspected. Intrigued, Laura interviewed Janis's friends and associates to get a true picture of her sister's life. In 1992, she published Love, Janis -- hailed by Kirkus Reviews as "more detailed and evenhanded" than th...more
Paperback, 394 pages
Published
August 16th 2005
by It Books
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I gave this three stars mostly because Janis Joplin is an interesting person, and this book, since it was written by her sister, has previously unpublished letters sent by Janis. If I had to rate it specifically on the writing, it would get zero stars. Poor Laura Joplin. Her characterizations always go like this:
So and So was with and .
I have two sisters. When are they going to do something awesome so I can get my crappy book published?
Anyway, despite the cliched, crappy writing, it's still wort...more
So and So was with and .
I have two sisters. When are they going to do something awesome so I can get my crappy book published?
Anyway, despite the cliched, crappy writing, it's still wort...more
Fast, thorough read of Janis' life with good commentary on the 60's, written in the early 1990's. I especially liked the detailing of what Janis was like growing up in Port Arthur, Texas.
Written from the perspective of Janis' younger sister, Laura, we get a soulful rather than an academic/journalistic or disoography account of Janis' life, loves, passions and outlook.
I especially like how Laura details a more intellectual Janis many probably didn't know: a beatnik, book reading artist growing up...more
Written from the perspective of Janis' younger sister, Laura, we get a soulful rather than an academic/journalistic or disoography account of Janis' life, loves, passions and outlook.
I especially like how Laura details a more intellectual Janis many probably didn't know: a beatnik, book reading artist growing up...more
Not a book I'd ever recommend for everyone - you had to have been alive during the 1960s and have a fascination with the SF music scene and the Summer of Love to read this. If you fall into that category this book was lovely and touching.
The contrast between Janis Joplin's tiny home town of Port Arthur, TX and San Francisco was stark - and her early death prevented her from coming full circle on the subject and appreciating Port Arthur. That job was left somewhat to her surviving family members...more
The contrast between Janis Joplin's tiny home town of Port Arthur, TX and San Francisco was stark - and her early death prevented her from coming full circle on the subject and appreciating Port Arthur. That job was left somewhat to her surviving family members...more
What an incredible read. And what an incredible woman. Why have I only now discovered her?
Like many before me, I feel inspired and really connected to Janis' story. She didn't conform to society's rules, didn't connect easily with most people, and, as a result, became an outcast at her school, her town, her state. She finally did find a group of friends that were accepting - those who opposed the rules that dictated black and whites must live apart, and that it was important that one should only...more
Like many before me, I feel inspired and really connected to Janis' story. She didn't conform to society's rules, didn't connect easily with most people, and, as a result, became an outcast at her school, her town, her state. She finally did find a group of friends that were accepting - those who opposed the rules that dictated black and whites must live apart, and that it was important that one should only...more
What can you say about Janis Joplin? Apparently, if you are her sister, a lot. This book is honest and loving, not denying facts about Janis' problems in life, but also handling her story with the tenderness only a family member could muster. There is a lot that has been said about Janis through the years, a lot of rumors perpetuated, but this story seems to be the authentic telling of her short days, with plenty of tidbits I, a huge fan, had never been aware of before reading the book. A must r...more
Having always been a huge fan, it was fascinating to read the biography by Janis' sister published some 22 years after her death. Her words evoked a better understanding of Janis' early life and how it impacted her artistry and career path. Many friends and musical cohorts were included in gathering information for the book and Laura Joplin manages to present her beloved sister as a passionate, warm, exceptionally creative human being with her many flaws intact. No airbrushing here as hurt feeli...more
This book is authored by Joplin's sister, so it's a bit biased. However, Laura Joplin doesn't gloss over and romanticize her sister's life. She is honest about her sister's rise and fall. She exposes both the good side and the not so good side of Janis while preserving the integrity of Janis and all those within her social orbit.
From this book I learned that Janis Joplin was an aspiring artist. She loved drawing and painting. I also learned that she fell victim to fame as she tried to live out...more
From this book I learned that Janis Joplin was an aspiring artist. She loved drawing and painting. I also learned that she fell victim to fame as she tried to live out...more
I was able to understand a lot more about Janis as a person and that helped me to figure out why her songs were usually about heart breaking and the pain that comes along with it.
However you'll also read about the happy daughter who sends letters to her parents and the positive girl she could be when she was enjoying life.
The pictures and the piece of lyrics in each chapter are incredible too.
Definitely a good choice if you're looking for a book that might end up as some sort of journey inside J...more
However you'll also read about the happy daughter who sends letters to her parents and the positive girl she could be when she was enjoying life.
The pictures and the piece of lyrics in each chapter are incredible too.
Definitely a good choice if you're looking for a book that might end up as some sort of journey inside J...more
Janis Lyn Joplin, was one of the worlds most iconic musicians of all time. She was born on January, 19th 1943 in Port Aurthur, Texas. Janis grew up in a normal family with her father Seth, mother Dorothy, and two small siblings Laura and Michael. Laura Joplin was the author of this book. When reading it, I see deeper into the life of Janis then the media’s view of her rock star image. Laura explains that Janis was a rebel, which can be perceived just by looking at her wild style. From birth, Jo...more
I don't believe in reincarnation, but if I did...I'd be Janis Joplin. Many say this, but I always thought I truly was. I've got this book from the library and never got around to it, so I finally settled on buying the book many years ago. This summer I was determined to finish it to get it off the stack next to my nightstand that comes up to my waist. It deserved more than getting picked up, the book underneath removed, and getting placed back on top for "next time, maybe." And now that I've fin...more
This book was obviously an extreme labor of love for the now-deceased singer's little sister. But she refrained from sugar coating the past with a lot of excuses and justifcations for the mistakes Janis made. One one hand, I found myself thinking how much more the diva had accomplished by the time she was the age I currently am, how much more excitement and opportunity she had in her short life and career... but at the other end of the spectrum, she let the fame get to her head and the drugs cut...more
Since the book was written by her younger sister, the reader gets to learn about Janis' life through the eyes of someone who genuinely loved her and could provide a balanced interpretation of her life. (Rather than a superfan who might glorify every aspect of her existence.) Laura shows that although drugs and alcohol entered her life in the 60s and ultimately ended it, that dimension shouldn't overshadow her talent, ambition, and thirst for life. In fact, despite her run in with heroin and alco...more
Wow. There's alot I'd like to say, about this book and about Janis, but it's all jumbled and I don't know where to start. I came into this book knowing absolutely nothing about Miss Joplin, only that she is one of the "Forever 27" legends.
I loved the book, first of all. It was made all the more intimate and believable because it was written by Janis' sister, Laura. I think it's a beautiful and truthful way to remember Janis. She was a true artist; emotional and searching, always questioning, cl...more
I loved the book, first of all. It was made all the more intimate and believable because it was written by Janis' sister, Laura. I think it's a beautiful and truthful way to remember Janis. She was a true artist; emotional and searching, always questioning, cl...more
A really interesting and informative biography of Janis Joplin, written by her sister Laura Joplin.
This is by far the best biography of Janis out there - since it's written by her sister the reader gets a real insight into what she was like from someone who grew up with her.
As a fan of Janis Joplin this was an essential read, but stepping aside from that, it's a very well-written, realistic portrayal of one of the most influential musicians of the 1960s.
This is by far the best biography of Janis out there - since it's written by her sister the reader gets a real insight into what she was like from someone who grew up with her.
As a fan of Janis Joplin this was an essential read, but stepping aside from that, it's a very well-written, realistic portrayal of one of the most influential musicians of the 1960s.
A moving portrait by Janis' sister. Although marketed as unbiased, it was only as unbiased as something written by a loving sister could be - particularly when that sister was younger and absent from the action - even with the use of letters, the re-telling could only have been an interpretation. However, Laura has tried to be scrupulously fair to all involved. I think the re-telling of Janis' story is a warning for all of us in how we treat celebrity - and we all need to remember that before th...more
Laura isn't the best writer, sometimes scattered and not as descriptive as I would like at times. Despite this she captured the spirit of her sister, Janis, in a beautiful way. Not only was I able to learn about Janis Joplin, but the time and culture screamed throughout the book. Laura showed the good and bad sides of her sister, bringing me closer to Janis. She was a true rebel, always feeling out of place in her hometown, full of doubts and fears with a fire inside that drove her to live on th...more
I tried very hard to get into it (I so wanted to love it), but the author's writing style really bothered me (full of cliché phrases and statements that contradict one another). As an English Literature major, I find that I can't continue with a book once I notice HUGE writing failures or mistakes. With a deep sigh of relief, I finally called it quits.
Great book written by Janis Joplin's sister. Told of her growing up in Texas, then moving out to become a singer. Included letters that told of what she was experiencing at the time. There was so much going on in the 60's. Basically Janis wanted to be loved. Unfortunatly drugs and alcohol took her away from us too soon. So sad that she tried to stop using so many times and like so many other one time too many and that was it. At least we have her songs to remember her by.
(4.0) Well done, Laura
This is a well-researched (understandable, as Janis' sister wrote it and thus had access to lots of family resources) chronological biography of Janis Joplin. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, in particular the letters Janis had sent her parents. It shows another side to her, one might hope the true Janis.
I also noted the odd introduction of each male character in the book: Laura describes their height, body type, hair color etc. Pretty sure that she did this for almost ever...more
This is a well-researched (understandable, as Janis' sister wrote it and thus had access to lots of family resources) chronological biography of Janis Joplin. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, in particular the letters Janis had sent her parents. It shows another side to her, one might hope the true Janis.
I also noted the odd introduction of each male character in the book: Laura describes their height, body type, hair color etc. Pretty sure that she did this for almost ever...more
janis Joplin's sister, Laura Joplin, paints an honest and real portrait of a musical icon trapped in a very specific time in musical history. Laura Joplin describes a real woman, making her all the more admirable and her early death all the more deplorable.
im a huge joplin fan so found the book interesting and based on that give it three stars. if I were rating based on writing it would be difficult to give this book more than one star. the writing is just terrible.
This is a biography of Janis Joplin written by her sister. It was very good. I'm glad I read it. Janis was such a soulful person. She needs to be remembered for such an alive, free life, not her tragic death.
Written by Laura, Janis's sister, this story gets past the media created myth of Janis Joplin and gives a clearer picture of a real girl who became the rock star. Janis is not only explained by her sister, but many of the letters she shared with her family are included throughout the book. Very nicely written.
Best biography I have ever read! Janis' life was so exciting it seems almost unbelievable. There is insight to why Janis was the way she was and you get to learn more and see more than just the drug use.
This book was absolutly beautiful!! Janis' story was so exciting. At times, Laura's style of writing was confussing, like chapter two, when she talked about the anccestors, she could of been a little more clear. And at times, she would talk about janis, then talk about something completly different. Her style of writing is less like an adult, and more like a high school student,(and I would know!) But, as I was reading, I felt a connection with Janis as I read her letters and heard the stories....more
Was awesome to read about a woman who's always fascinated me. Too bad I couldn't interview the author of this book, Janis' sister...was intriguing, at the least.
Mar 31, 2009
Jennifer
added it
This is such a great book because it was written by Janis's sister, and gives you such a great window into her world. The added family history is really interesting.
I am a huge fan of Janis Joplin. This book is the story of her life using the letters that she wrote home to her family. I absolutely loved it!
Loved this book. She left this earth too soon. I feel like I got to know her reading this. Everyone has their own demons...
Onverwachte sfeer van herkenning ondergedompeld in een wraakroepende tragiek die eigenlijk vaak in kleine dingen schuilt.
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“But she was in love, and love isn't about making sense.”
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“Strange it's such a quiet peaceful existence and I'm enjoying it so thoroughly.”
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May 20, 2011 11:19am