clap clap clap. this book!! blew me away. i know/knew nothing about Jean-Michel Basquait. i didn't know who Suzanne Mallouk was.. but this book! apart from her relationship to Basquiat, Mallouk's story is worthy of being read. such heartbreaking honesty. she shares with the readers both her own personal demons as well as intimate moments spent with Basquiat, the good, the bad and the ugly. i love the back and forth between Jennifer Clement's writing and Suzanne Mallouk's own words. i really felt the real-world drift further and further away with each page i read until i was fully immersed into 1980's NYC. such a beautiful story ( )

Quick read, written by Jennifer Clement, Suzanne's close friend, about Suzanne's life, childhood, teenage-hood, and womanhood, and her long-term relationship with the painter. Reveals Suzanne and Basquiat's acceptance of a non-committed relationship, experiences of racism, drug taking, and her strong personality; Suzanne taking it upon herself to force the authorities into seeking justice for police brutality that caused the death of her friend, Michael. Interestingly Jennifer was the first female president of PEN international (I only first heard of this group reading Atwood's Burning Questions), and she writes this book in a style of short chapters, followed by even shorter synopses that seem to be quotes from Suzanne herself. ( )

Fascinating and the author was there during the time and people she writes about. Suzanne was Jean-Michel's on and off girlfriend. Lots of drugs, sex, and AIDS. He lived a short life - dead of an overdosein 1988, age 28. Suzanne goes on to college and becomes a doctor, leaving her former life behind. ( )

A devastating, heartbreaking, bitter-sweet portrayal of the passionatly toxic life of Basquiat and the strength suffering and survival of Suzanne Mallouk. ( )

A poetic, sometimes difficult book about the relationship between Suzanne Mallouk and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Told in vignettes interspersed with Suzanne Mallouk's commentary, this book gives an intimate view of their chaotic relationship and the effect art, fame and drugs had on their lives. Knowing Basquiat's fate, this is a compelling, sometimes frustrating, often heartbreaking read. Recommended.

Note: this review is based on an ARC received from the publisher ( )