I picked this book up because I have tremendous love and respect for Patti Smith as a poet and a musician, and was absolutely, utterly moved by this book. Even though I read it nearly a year ago, it remains a book that I believe everyone should read.
Patti gives us a quiet, humble insight into her life, and the life of the artist Robert Mapplethorpe. Two beautifully artistic and talented almost-famous youths searching for self-definition, the story Patti shares is like an imperfect rockstar fairytale trip through the Wonderland that was New York in the 1960's and 70's. Her writing is beautiful, truly poetry in prose and you are drawn in, so intimately, that you are welcomed into their relationship.
Her story emanates love in all it's forms and shows how true friendship evolves. Robert and Patti were truly selfless in their love for one another, while never fully losing themselves in the relationship. The unspoken agreement: "I trust in you, I trust in myself", allowing the freedom to take turns experiencing greatness, without jealousy or the desire to use the other to get ahead. They seem like two opposite and equal points on a wheel, sharing responsibility and irresponsibility, helping one another to experience all that life had to offer.
From Patti's forward: "Art sings of God, and ultimately belongs to him." Regardless of how Robert or Patti's personal lives may be viewed or judged by others, their life, their love for one another is a work of art, one that reminds us that being a true friend means alternating times when you are taken care of and you are the one protecting the other. It means that you celebrate each other's successes and provide strength through failures. And unconditionally you recognize the work of art that is each person and love the light you see in them.
