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manadabomb's review against another edition
5.0
Only knowing Mapplethorpe as the guy who did the explicitly erotic photographs, and Smith as one of my favorite singers, this book was pretty enlightening. Seeing Mapplethorpe through Smith's eyes softens the public persona of him some.
Smith headed to New York from New Jersey to pursue her passion, art. Along the way she met up with Mapplethorpe, who rescued her from a bad date, and the two become best of friends and lovers. Inseparable, if not physically then in spirit, they remained by each others side until Robert's death from AIDS in 1989.
While Patti traveled to Paris, Robert went on to discover different relationships with men. It seems, back in the 70s, that it wasn't always possible to be openly gay and and perhaps it was something that he continually fought with himself. He kept a physical relationship with Patti for some time despite the evidence that he preferred men. While I can't imagine how that could make for a happy life, denying part of who you are, being with Patti obviously made him very happy.
Smith describes living at the Chelsea Hotel and hanging out with the likes of Jimi, Janis, Burroughs, and Harry Smith. And a lot more; those two really got around. She also chronicles the "luck" and hard work that helped make Mapplethorpe and herself the legends that they are today.
Smith headed to New York from New Jersey to pursue her passion, art. Along the way she met up with Mapplethorpe, who rescued her from a bad date, and the two become best of friends and lovers. Inseparable, if not physically then in spirit, they remained by each others side until Robert's death from AIDS in 1989.
While Patti traveled to Paris, Robert went on to discover different relationships with men. It seems, back in the 70s, that it wasn't always possible to be openly gay and and perhaps it was something that he continually fought with himself. He kept a physical relationship with Patti for some time despite the evidence that he preferred men. While I can't imagine how that could make for a happy life, denying part of who you are, being with Patti obviously made him very happy.
Smith describes living at the Chelsea Hotel and hanging out with the likes of Jimi, Janis, Burroughs, and Harry Smith. And a lot more; those two really got around. She also chronicles the "luck" and hard work that helped make Mapplethorpe and herself the legends that they are today.
blicksam's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful memoir about an iconic woman, but ultimately a book about a friendship. About lives lived simultaneously - for a time - entwined by mutual admiration, competition, trust and love. Inspiring, heartbreaking and nostalgic in turn. A book to read and re-read.
leakleino's review against another edition
3.0
Idk. I just don’t know how to feel about this. I liked it for sure and it was beautiful but it wasn’t really worth reading it? It was a very slow read for me because I wasn’t really excited about the reading experience I had with this book.
yaramarie's review against another edition
5.0
I love this.
This book shows the beauty of relationships, the type you only find once or twice in a lifetime, if you're lucky. Growing up in the seventies in New York City. Flourishing as an artist. It shows the artist's mind and how deeply she loves, in a way that is unconditional.
I found this book relatable and hopeful and oh-so inspiring. This will be a new favourite for the foreseeable future.
This book shows the beauty of relationships, the type you only find once or twice in a lifetime, if you're lucky. Growing up in the seventies in New York City. Flourishing as an artist. It shows the artist's mind and how deeply she loves, in a way that is unconditional.
I found this book relatable and hopeful and oh-so inspiring. This will be a new favourite for the foreseeable future.
zozosbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This is inspiring to hear of Robert and Patti’s love and how it always influenced their art. I loved reading about their artistic process and I loved reading about their relationship. I only wish there was a bit more of that as apposed to just recounting facts and saying names. While the point of the book was to talk about their relationship, I still felt pretty mystified by it at the end.
lokalnagienia's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
czy to ja skończyłam tę książkę, czy też ona skończyła mnie? (zdecydowanie to drugie)