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Just Kids

Patti Smith

Start date: July 1, 2018

Finish date: August 5, 2018

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Aug 01, 2018 Molly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: csb-books-brews

This is a re-read for me. I've had this book in my mental list of top 5 favorite books for a few years. The topic of favorite books came up at bookclub, and by the end of the conversation, they had taken my recommendation to read it as a group. I hope they all hang with it and see why I still think it is such a great book.

So, to come clean, I found this book a difficult read both times. I struggle to get through some of the looooong passages that seem like just an endless list of name dropping. This is a re-read for me. I've had this book in my mental list of top 5 favorite books for a few years. The topic of favorite books came up at bookclub, and by the end of the conversation, they had taken my recommendation to read it as a group. I hope they all hang with it and see why I still think it is such a great book.

So, to come clean, I found this book a difficult read both times. I struggle to get through some of the looooong passages that seem like just an endless list of name dropping. But here is why it is so cool. It is through this casual name dropping that she explains her bona fides. She tells you who/what she read, she relates her stories and you can see the connections as to how she emulates what she reads. For example, she talks about directing her siblings in plays growing up, much like the scenes from Little Women, which she tells you later in the narrative she had read in that timeframe. It's like showing your work on a math problem. You may not like Patti Smith's music, but you can see how she came to the thoughts she came to, why she has been so influential to other artists, musicians, and poets struggling to find their own voice. She is providing us with the provenance of her work and her life. In the world of rock and roll, an authentic voice is crucial to establish to earn respect (thanks to Jason Heller for the push to this thought). Patti Smith earns her authenticity and voice through her connections, her reading, and her life.

She shows us the entwined relationship she had with Robert. They share their stories and talismans with each other until even personal stories from their childhood become shared stories they tell with each other. Towards the end, she tells us that she and Robert played the roles of muse and artist for each other.

I have thought for years about making a self portrait by creating small representations of the people who have been important to me. When you look at individual sections you see the burnt orange color of Douglas, the hosting and care of Michael, the love and anguish of Eric, and all the other thoughts, concepts and colors I associate with the people in my life. But when you back up and look at the whole, you see Molly, because I am made up of the influence of the people in my life. Patti gave us that portrait of herself. She just made hers with words. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 07, 2018 Carri rated it really liked it

Aug 05, 2018 Suzanne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Jul 24, 2018 Roberta added it

Jul 24, 2018 Dina Coldiron rated it it was ok

Shelves: book-club

Jul 27, 2018 Maureen Corcoran rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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