Dave Slusher - Books reviewed Year of the Monkey by Patti Smith
Pleasant Enough but Slight
3 stars
I've listened to a few of these Patti Smith memoirs, all read by her. Just Kids was highly focused on her and her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe and I thought it was fantastic. M Train was largely about her marriage with Fred "Sonic" Smith up to his death. It was less focused and less fantastic. This is largely about the death of her friend Sandy Pearlman. It is even less focused and aimless. Hearing her voice is largely the attraction as the story and observations were the least compelling so far.
I've listened to a few of these Patti Smith memoirs, all read by her. Just Kids was highly focused on her and her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe and I thought it was fantastic. M Train was largely about her marriage with Fred "Sonic" Smith up to his death. It was less focused and less fantastic. This is largely about the death of her friend Sandy Pearlman. It is even less focused and aimless. Hearing her voice is largely the attraction as the story and observations were the least compelling so far.