Reviews with content warning for Pregnancy - Just Kids

ohh this was just gorgeous. paints a beautiful, evocative picture of the new york scene in the chelsea in the 60s and 70s: i love reading books set/talking about this time period as it seems like such a far off country now. patti smith really transports you there. i love books with deep descriptions of physical detritus, of belongings and collections which make up a person's surroundings in different stages of their life, and this is one of those: patti and robert are both real magpies (as they were both visual artists this make sense) and the description of their art and belongings really builds a picture of their homes and studios over the years. i've seen a couple of reviews talking about how this book doesn't have much of a plot and whilst this is true, it is a memoir, not a novel, so it doesn't have a plot as much as life doesn't have a plot. a beautiful ode to robert mapplethorpe and a really touching insight to the beautiful relationship between him and patti smith. loved it and would definitely read again !!! 4.75 stars

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lindseyhall44's review against another edition

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emotional

5.0

To read Just Kids is more than anything to feel. Sadness, inspiration, love, grief. Through the intimate lense of 70’s New York, I have not only garnered information on the incredible lives of Patti Smith and Robert
Mapplethorpe, but discovered something of myself in the process. Through this review I will try to put all of these emotions into words and give this book the justice it deserves.
Just Kids reflects on the profound relationship between the aforementioned artists: Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe. While their friendship is a key focus of the memoir, Patti Smith discovers her own path to art, which will take many forms over the course of her lifetime. It is a privilege to be accepted into her world- for however so briefly- and meander through the memories of a legend.
The beauty of art displayed within the book-romanticized by myself as a wannabe writer- is what almost instantly drew to the story. However, it is Smith’s ability to articulate the complexities of love and human kind which makes Just Kids a new favorite.

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clarebear2218's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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biab00's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

Robert and I had explored the frontier of our work and created space for each other. When I walked on the stages of the world without him I would close my eyes and picture him taking off his leather jacket, entering with me the infinite land of a thousand dances.

This one was tough to rate in my opinion, but in terms of writing and the flowing of it I love it, I felt emersed into their lives and shared stories.
This was crushing to read especially the last parts, but it was so worth it, it was a beautiful relationship and I'm glad I picked this one up.

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wrackcity's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-paced

3.0

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hannahlouise_'s review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

3.75

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annchmn's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective fast-paced

4.75

Reading about her experiences and growth in the Arts and Music scene in New York was captivating.

The ending made me cry, and her poems and the photos included in the book are beautiful!

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