In "Just Kids," Patti Smith's first book of prose, she delves into her long lasting relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe and the personal success that stemmed from it. Drawing from numerous authors, her writing parallels her lyrics in that they're both incredibly simple yet cohesive and beautiful; this style imitating the entire punk movement that Smith helped start.
Smith writes an earnest and pure memoir for her best friend, leaving nothing left unsaid. Often times casting him in a better light than herself or focusing on him entirely, it is clear that Smith reveres him highly. In speaking of him, now past, she forms an idyllic and almost nostalgic form of prose that makes the reader feel that they're part of everything; that maybe, they to, could be an artist like Smith or Mapplethrope.
Starting from her childhood and going to Mapplethorpe's death, Smith talks about her rise as an artist up to the release of "Horses," a magnum opus of an album. From quitting her schooling and going to New York City as a teenager, it is enticing to read how Smith started from virtually nothing - sleeping on the streets with her suitcase - slowly up to what she is today. This rise is immensely helped by and occurs simultaneously with Mapplethorpe's gradual rise to stardom, a relationship that doesn't ever stray from interesting, as it is always so hectic.
The book is adorned with photographs, drawings, and writings that the two created over the years together, adding much more substance to an already dense book. It seems as if Smith remembers every little detail, every little moment, of her artistic life and is here to present it all to the reader.
Smith lets you look into her psyche during this time, making the reader see and think exactly what she was during the times she met so many famous or soon to be famous individuals. Her artistic methods and thoughts are brought forth, for the reader to imitate or use how they choose, as well as what she thought of Mapplethorpe's throughout his lengthy dabbling in the scene. It makes the reader realize how she became what she is today, and how she always had great motivation to become so.
The book has its dark moments, both for Smith and Mapplethorpe, but overall produces a positive and hopeful message of the past and future. The ending, with Mapplethorpe's death, is quite sad, yet still ultimately positive, as Smith is fulfilling Mapplethorpe's final wish of writing his story. In doing so, she wraps up her entire book, leaving the reader with a few more pieces of artwork to ponder afterward.
"Just Kids" is a perfect story of Patti Smith's dynamic partnership with Mapplethorpe, as they both become the genius icons they are today. It's a book that can make the reader laugh, cry, but most of all feel happy and hopeful for Smith and her life, as well as their own. It's a book that is a piece of poetry in itself; a book that Mapplethorpe would be proud of.
