As someone who knew next to nothing about Patti Smith, Robert Mapplethorpe or the scene they were part of on the 60s, I really enjoyed Just Kids. I achieve this, I found I had to accept where names were dropped that mean nothing to me, and focus instead on the world Smith builds in her writing. There are two main themes here - the love story (romantic, platonic and the rest) between Smith and Mapplethrope and the glimpse into the lives of two struggling artists in 60s America. On those things at all this was a strong read to me. Smith is, of course, brilliant in her writing and has the right balance of the poetic and the banal. There’s a sense from the beginning of impending tragedy which steps with you from each page and images accompany the chapters to add both grounding and wistful beauty. It’s, without doubt, a love letter to Robert Mapplethorpe.