Just Kids audiobook cover - Two young artists arrive in New York with almost nothing but devotion to their craft—and to each other—discovering how love, patience, and relentless creative work can become a home, a compass, and a doorway into a life that finally fits.

Just Kids

Two young artists arrive in New York with almost nothing but devotion to their craft—and to each other—discovering how love, patience, and relentless creative work can become a home, a compass, and a doorway into a life that finally fits.

Based on the lives of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe

4.5 / 5(408 ratings)

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Chapter Overview

Description

This warm summary follows the intertwined early lives of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe—two artists who met in New York City and became one another’s anchor as they searched for meaning, identity, and a place in the world of art. Their relationship didn’t fit a simple label; it was built from shared hunger, mutual caretaking, and a belief that creativity could save them.

Across lean years, tiny rooms, and pivotal turning points, the story traces how Patti’s poetry and music and Robert’s visual experimentation—eventually his photography—began to crystallize into the work that would define their legacies. Through it all, the central thread is their bond: imperfect, evolving, and remarkably faithful to the truth of who they each were becoming.

Who Should Listen

  • Listeners drawn to artistic coming-of-age stories about finding a creative voice, especially in the face of uncertainty.
  • Anyone interested in the early punk era, New York’s art scene, and the human relationships behind iconic work.
  • People who appreciate tender, realistic portraits of friendship, love, identity, and chosen family.

About the Authors

This narration is adapted from a provided summary about Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, focusing on their early years, their bond, and their rise as artists. It is not an official biography, but a gentle, story-driven retelling of the key events and themes included in the source text.