Beautifully written as all of Patti Smith's book are. 

A really interesting short story/meandering rumination on what it means to passionately and unapologetically  dedicate oneself to a particular craft. The story was bookended by two lovely reflective snippets for Patti's life. Effortlessly cool, as always.

Really well written. Beautiful prose. Some interesting passages about life, death and the pains and aches of growing up. It gave me Tumblr tattoo circa 2012 vibes at times, but in a good way. You may want to visit Toyoko after reading this book. And find your Spotify playlist filled with The Beatles and Jazz. But hey ho!!

However, it's a shame about the blatant sexism throughout...almost all of the women read as caricatures of themselves. Also, could Toru not describe every woman's chest....thank you! 

Still, I did enjoy the book. Really captured that falsely monumental feeling first love has. 

A little slow to start but the 1950s onwards were absolutely fascinating! A really interesting alternative history of America with appearances from so many of American arts and culture's most beloved. 

Powerful, sad and beautifully written. Almost felt like Ester was keeping the reader at a bit of a distance for most of the book. Gives some really haunting insight into how dark and isolated depression can make a person's world and how steadily it can creep in.  The Fig Tree analogy was particularly memorable, perfectly encapsulating the confusion and indecision of being on the precipice of adulthood.