Melody Murray's Books

Patti Smith has turned in a lovely, almost transcendent memoir of her life with Robert Mapplethorpe. Two starving artists in New York- both of them destined for fame- what's not to love about that? Oh, and they were smack in the middle of all the happening music, all the beautiful people. While the events told in this book were unfolding, I was riveted by newspaper accounts of same, dreaming of a life less ordinary. Here is that life, writ large. Smith's writing is mannered, precise and absolutely beautiful. Her tales have just a bit of distance, enough to let in some air and light. I knew how it would end, of course, but I found myself weeping just the same. Highly recommended.