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evanlorant's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
This was so beautifully written, but as someone who doesn’t have a preexisting knowledge of the rock/art scene and the major figures of that time, I felt like I was missing a lot of meaning. This read to me as a memoir for fans of Patti and Robert, rather than something anyone can come in and read. But on the other hand, Patti’s writing was so beautiful. To take fiction and turn it into a poetic story or a poem based on experiences is one thing, but to take real life and turn it into narrative prose is an entirely different accomplishment. That was the real strength of this book to me. Infused with her audio narration it took an a whole new level of impact, especially toward the end as she describes Robert’s decline. I could feel the smirk in her voice at many points in the book. It’s a great memoir but I would definitely recommend familiarizing yourself with a lot of both artists work or finding an edition with photographs to give some context.
alexmallis's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
3.25
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
2.0
"Just Kids" was an okay read for me. It's an interesting look at the art lifestyle in the 60s and 70s, and some moments are poignant and beautiful. For the most part, the writing was stilted and repetitive. I may have liked this book more if I knew more about the subjects (I had never heard of Robert Mapplethorpe before reading this book). I did go look at his photos while reading, and they were really interesting. I wouldn't reread this book, but I liked it for showing me a glimpse into that time period.
oakleygravenall's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Beautifully written, thank you Patti Smith