Patti Smith – Just Kids
I am not old enough to know Patti Smith from the first time round, and not cool enough to have listened much since. The only things I know about her are HORSES! HORSES! HORSES! and that song she did with Springsteen, and That Photograph.
However, I do like inspiring women, and memoirs, and books about the sixties, and books which may explain to me the great secrets of the creative process, so that I can steal them. I had hopes for Patti.
The book describes how Patti and her partner in struggling arty-dom, Robert Mapplethorpe go from being Just Kids to being Just Massively Successful Counter-Cultural Artists. Not much eating goes on, but much struggling in pursuit of Great Art, and many random encounters with Other Legends.
Literally all the professional reviews rave about this book and it is multi-super-award winning, but unfortunately Patti and I are just too different to get on.
The story is not so much a story as Smith’s contribution to her own myth. The best way that I can explain it is that she’s writing this from a point where she is a Genuine Icon, and so everything comes with an inbuilt sense of destiny. Every decision, every action is imbued with Layers Upon Layers of Meaning. I just don’t believe that life feels like that when you are living it. She couldn’t have known that she would have succeeded: things must have felt more chaotic and uncertain, and it wouldn’t have taken anything away from the excitement to share that. In fact, it would have probably been more inspiring.
Even when she is talking about the sordid side of things (hard drugs, making money on the streets) the language is so poetic that it glosses over the darkness and just seem glamorous. I’m not saying I expected her to write the kind of warning about drugs that you get in school, but I did think there might be something more clear-eyed.
The point where she actually used the expression ‘it would soon come to pass’ I made an audible snorting noise. That expression can only be credibly used if you are a character in the Lord of the Rings.
Just Kids is probably Just Brilliant if you like this sort of thing, but for me it was Just OK.
Posted on May 17, 2011, in Uncategorized and tagged autobiography, book reviews, books, just kids, memoir, music, patti smith. Bookmark the permalink. 8 Comments.
Memoirs like this always irritate me. Real life isn’t always glamorous, so don’t try to pretend it wasn’t dark at times (especially if we’re to believe her as an artist/activist.) I also think the whole “destiny” thing would be quite annoying…or maybe I’m just jealous that I can’t have such positive, all-knowing outlook on life.
“The best way that I can explain it is that she’s writing this from a point where she is a Genuine Icon, and so everything comes with an inbuilt sense of destiny. Every decision, every action is imbued with Layers Upon Layers of Meaning.”
That is the worst way to write an (auto)biography. I would be right there snorting along with you.
I ve some of her records but not sure this appeals there is just something about her when I ve seen her interviewed or read interviesws a sort of self importance,all the best stu
I have a feeling I would share your reaction — the “sense of destiny” and “deep meaning” imbued in every action would definitely wear on my nerves. I don’t know much about Smith and will probably skip this one!
The point where she actually used the expression ‘it would soon come to pass’ I made an audible snorting noise. That expression can only be credibly used if you are a character in the Lord of the Rings.
I just made that snorting noise because of YOUR comment about the snorting noise! How ladylike. And don’t you just hate the ‘I AM DESTINY!’ rose-tinted glasses some people feel the need to wear when viewing the way their lives have panned out? *snorts again* Okay, I have to go regain some semblance of professionalism now…
Glad to know this. This book was sent to me as part of a book club but, like you, do not know much about Patti Smith. Everyone here in my city was buzzing about this book, and I just figured I wasn’t cool enough to really appreciate it. Was still going to give it a try, but now maybe I’ll just send it along or post it on PBS.
I have had my eye on this one for awhile but I still haven’t decided whether or not to read it.
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