I don't really know what there is to say about this book, just make sure that you read it. Patti Smiths latest book, about her relationship with renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, published 2010 and a New York Times bestseller is truly lovely, and not because it is wonderfully written or about particularly outstanding events. It is the story of a great friendship between two extremely clever and artistically in-tune people, and makes you appreciate the smallest relationships in our lives as special. I chose the word constant in the title as for me it sums up all things stable and secure, and this is exactly the warm, overall feeling that exudes from the pages. We all know there are some people that come and go in our lives, are fun for awhile and then pass on through the times. But then there are the stayers, who consistently permeate our lives and who we cannot imagine living without. Patti and Roberts relationship started in New York as friends, progressed to lovers and continued through development into homosexuality, strings of relationships on both sides, a long stay at the Chelsea Hotel and respective travels, only to be strengthened by their commitment to the pursuit of art, alongside a incredible support and assurance of each other talents; Patti with poetry, Robert with photography. Patti of course became Roberts main muse, and it is some of the best photographic portraiture you can see - although perhaps I am bias here, as to me she sums up everything about understated style.
I didn't manage to find the book here in stores, having to purchase it from Amazon in the end, however I did see a copy at the Lews Institute library in Ponsonby. Its an quick read, the sentence structure is much like her poetry and music, quick sentences that flow on fast to the next, so as soon as you finish pass onto the next person. Its a wonderful, very true, story.
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