Patti Smith

Patti's Smith's exquisite prose is generously illustrated in this full-color edition of her classic coming-of-age memoir, Just Kids. New York locations vividly come to life where, as young artists, Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe met and fell in love: a first apartment in Brooklyn, Times Square with John and Yoko's iconic billboard, Max's Kansas City, or the gritty fire escape of the Hotel Chelsea. The extraordinary people who passed through their lives are also pictured: Sam Shepard, Harry Smith, William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg. Along with never-before-published photographs, drawings, and ephemera, this edition captures a moment in New York when everything was possible. And when two kids seized their destinies as artists and soul mates in this inspired story of love and friendship.

Just Kids illustrated

Angelica Garcia 

Within that moment was trust, compassion, and our mutual sense of irony. He was carrying death within him and I was carrying life. We were both aware of that. I know.

Robert trusted in the law of empathy, by which he could, by his will, transfer himself into an object or a work of art, and thus influence the outer world. He did not feel redeemed by the work he did. He did not seek redemption. He sought to see what others did not, the projection of his imagination.

Every Sunday I would take a long walk to a deserted beach café to have a coffee and a jelly doughnut, two things forbidden in a home regimented by healthy food. I savored these small indulgences, slipping a quarter in the jukebox and listening to "Strawberry Fields" three times in a row. It was my private ritual and the words and voice of John Lennon provided me with strength when I faltered.

But secretly I knew I had been transformed, moved by the revelation that human beings create art, that to be an artist was to see what others could not.

Beautiful. Made me miss NYC again. Dangit. 

Saffy

To be honest, this book put me into a massive reading slump. Maybe because I‘m not used to reading memoirs and it’s very real and without a real plot - like life (lol). 

But as a non-American it was so exhausting, because there were so so so many people! Probably important by the way she describes them, but when you don’t know any of them (except the super famous ones ofc) it’s getting so hard to keep track, as they are not well introduced, they just pop all of a sudden. 

Also the pace was really off-putting. It’s so slow but then again, I missed how they all suddenly became famous, idk. I liked the first and last quarter, but the middle was just confusing. Sorry, Patti Smith, I still love you. 

(I’m also glad I ordered the illustrated version, this really brought some magic into it)

Valentina

To be honest, this book put me into a massive reading slump. Maybe because I‘m not used to reading memoirs and it’s very real and without a real plot - like life (lol). 

But as a non-American it was so exhausting, because there were so so so many people! Probably important by the way she describes them, but when you don’t know any of them (except the super famous ones ofc) it’s getting so hard to keep track, as they are not well introduced, they just pop all of a sudden. 

Also the pace was really off-putting. It’s so slow but then again, I missed how they all suddenly became famous, idk. I liked the first and last quarter, but the middle was just confusing. Sorry, Patti Smith, I still love you. 

(I’m also glad I ordered the illustrated version, this really brought some magic into it)

Finished this 4 days ago and I can’t stop thinking about it. Truly the most beautifully written story, highly recommend. I knew it would be good but am still in awe of the story telling, the flow of words, and the love within this book. Truly iconic!! 

devoured this book in four days. Beautiful and inspiring in a way books rarely are 

Noor 

a beautiful love letter to a dear friend 

moon ramirez

Hands down, "Just Kids" is the most beautiful 'love' story I've ever read, and my copy has become my most treasured possession.. 

I annotated it a lot, quite surprised by how much I adored a book I initially doubted I'd like, but my curiosity led me to it nonetheless. Starting it brought a smile to my face as I envied Robert and Patti's deep understanding of each other.

Their love and dedication to their crafts, despite limitations, resonated deeply with me. Patti's descriptions of their possessions as sacred touched me, and many passages made me blush. Even though they weren't romantically meant for each other in the end, I admired the enduring dynamics they shared until Robert's passing.

The narrative was rich with characters and places, sometimes overwhelming me as they moved from one encounter to another, especially during their stay in Chelsea Hotel. I even paused reading it for a while, feeling lost in the midst of it all. However, I picked it up again at the beginning of the year and fell in love with it all over again.

Hands down, "Just Kids" is the most beautiful 'love' story I've ever read, and my copy has become my most treasured possession.. 

I annotated it a lot, quite surprised by how much I adored a book I initially doubted I'd like, but my curiosity led me to it nonetheless. Starting it brought a smile to my face as I envied Robert and Patti's deep understanding of each other.

Their love and dedication to their crafts, despite limitations, resonated deeply with me. Patti's descriptions of their possessions as sacred touched me, and many passages made me blush. Even though they weren't romantically meant for each other in the end, I admired the enduring dynamics they shared until Robert's passing.

The narrative was rich with characters and places, sometimes overwhelming me as they moved from one encounter to another, especially during their stay in Chelsea Hotel. I even paused reading it for a while, feeling lost in the midst of it all. However, I picked it up again at the beginning of the year and fell in love with it all over again.

the most beautiful love story ever written 

Laura

Patti Smith is a genius with the talent to write the most beautiful story's. From the beginning I got absorbed into Patti's life her bright and happy days as well as the dark painful times. Her journey to self discovery as a person living in a city with so many possibilities as is New York, but also her self discovery as an artist. Her relationship with Robert is far more than just a plain couple of lovers no their bond goes far beyond love. I can't stress enough how much of a literary masterpiece this book is. It will always stay close in my heart.

Just Kids illustrated

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