I just finished reading Patti Smith's autobiography / biography Just Kids today.
It's a story about her and her lover Robert, who eventually realizes he is gay, and their journey through life as artists. Written last year in May 2010, Patti delivers this piece masterfully. Her writing goes beyond record keeping, she describes every detail and feeling and moment so eloquently. Her thoughts are so clear making it easy for the reader to relate to her struggle as an artist.
Patti's life in New York City was dodgy as she describes going without food for days, job hunting door to door even at the stores she couldn't picture herself working. Long winters with abrupt heating in the day and laying awake writing because she couldn't sleep in the freezing at night. Drawing and writing willingly sacrificing meals for art supplies.
Just Kids is optimistic through out the book, there is no impression of bitterness apparent in the book and her story tells me that my life's journey has barely scraped the surface.
