45 pages • 1 hour read
Just Kids
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Book Brief
320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
New York City • 1960s-1970s
2010
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Just Kids by Patti Smith is a memoir chronicling her deep and enduring friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe from their serendipitous meeting in New York City through their artistic evolutions and personal struggles in the late 1960s and 1970s, ending with Mapplethorpe's death from AIDS in 1989. The narrative explores themes of artistic passion, personal discovery, and enduring loyalty. The book contains descriptions of sexual exploration and substance use.
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Melancholic
Inspirational
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
310,818 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Just Kids by Patti Smith is praised for its poetic prose and evocative portrayal of her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe. Readers appreciate the authentic depiction of 1960s and 70s New York art scene. Some find the pace slow, but the emotional depth and vivid storytelling largely resonate, making it a heartfelt memoir worth reading.
Who Should Read Just Kids?
A fan of gritty, poetic memoirs would enjoy Just Kids by Patti Smith. This emotionally candid work resonates with readers who appreciate artistic coming-of-age stories, similar to The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath or On the Road by Jack Kerouac. It's ideal for those fascinated by 1960s and 70s New York City counterculture.
310,818 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Robert Mapplethorpe
Robert Mapplethorpe
A creative individual born into a conservative family, who, alongside his evolving identity, explores various forms of art and forms a significant bond with Patti Smith while pursuing his passion for photography.
320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
New York City • 1960s-1970s
2010
Adult
18+ years
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