Great story

loved it great story fascinated by all the ups and downs of her life til now

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2 people found this helpful

Honest, fascinating and very moving…

I listened to this over a weekend and didn’t want it to end. Thank you Janis, I never thought I could appreciate you any more than I already did. Guess what… 😉♥️

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the most amasing experiance

Wow to me Janice Ian was the singer of the hit song 17, in this book of her life she is so much more. What a life, I am very glad she told her story.

Thank you Janice for sharing your life story.

Take the chance and listen you will not want to stop this story is infectious you will not regret the time spent listening,

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3 people found this helpful

Simply brilliant!

Searingly honest, beautiful, at times heartbreaking account of a true star. What incredible songs Janis has written, so pleased to have discovered this gem. Thank you Janis

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3 people found this helpful

An astonishing insight into the music industry.

Astonishing, amazing, I loved this book. I've been a fan of Janis Ian since first hearing 'At Seventeen' and listening to this book (narrated by Janis herself) reminded me how much I love her voice. Each chapter is preceded by a short burst of Janis singing - one advantage this book has over the written word. This audio book also won a Grammy award (beating Michelle Obama) - I didn't even know there was such a category. As soon as I finished it I went straight to i-tunes and listened to Night Rains - one of my favourite albums. There are some great videos of Janis on her website. I regret that I've never seen her live. Hopefully she will make it back to the UK before too long.

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3 people found this helpful

Who knew what an amazing life Janis has had?

What made the experience of listening to Society's Child the most enjoyable?

The musical intros to each chapter and the fact that janis did her own narration. I didn't know of janis' career before "at 17" so her earlier work and in particular the controversy surrounding society's child was really interesting.

What other book might you compare Society's Child to, and why?

I can't think of another autobiography that compares to this.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I mostly found the book poignant. I laughed and cried a little but it was the story that kept me rapt. Her candidness about child sexual abuse was expressed matter of fact-ly without seeking pity or apportioning blame.

I could not relate to her having relationships with men and I would have liked a greater analysis of her to journey to Pat.

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3 people found this helpful

Remarkable story and lady.

Where does Society's Child rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's a first rate autobiography. Kept me engrossed.

What other book might you compare Society's Child to, and why?

It's in a class of its own because I've come across no one like Janis Ian. She's a one off!

Which scene did you most enjoy?

There are many interesting moments. Her early involvement with Internet auctions to raise funds for a scholarship foundation were fascinating.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were many. Abuse by her dentist and the death of her mother were particularly emotive.

Any additional comments?

Janis Ian has an astonishing story to tell and listening to her narrate the audio version of her book made it all the more extraordinary. She recounts the milestones in her eventful life with candour and often humour.

I knew little of her personal story and this book was compelling. Her unconventional upbringing, astounding musical success as a 15 year old, the nature of and the way she dealt with various types of abuse, her personal relationships...the list goes on and this is before considering her creative gifts as a writer, singer and songwriter, her influence on and involvement with the music industry and the way she embraced early Internet opportunities.

The book took me by surprise. It's a very well written ride through the numerous ups and downs of a colourful life. Unlike many half baked so called 'celebrity stories' this lady, now in her early 60's, actually has a meaningful story to tell. I enjoyed it.

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3 people found this helpful

Space Invaders Champ and Sci Fi writer?

I’m too young to remember Society’s Child but I will never forget staring star-struck at the searing close-ups of Janis Ian singing Stars on The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1974. It was such a beautiful performance. I was overawed by the way she picked out such a complex and perfectly phrased accompaniment on her guitar without ever once looking at the strings. Instead she seemed to look inward, drawing inspiration and strength from some unimaginable sadness in her life. It was magical to reconnect with Janis through this autobiography and discover the depth of experience that lay behind that extraordinary gaze.

I think she must have kept quite a few cherished memories from the later part of her life private. I think she was right to do that and I would expect no less from such a sensitive, thoughtful and charitable person. But the earlier parts of her life from her childhood to her mid-thirties are presented here with almost painful honesty. It is very moving.

There were very many stand-out moments but I particularly enjoyed the way she talked about her craft of songwriting and especially, of course, how she came to write Stars.

This has been a really compelling experience for me. Janis reads the book flawlessly and I was very touched by the brief moments of song.

Thanks, Janis, for sharing your life with us. It was mesmerising and unforgettable.

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The life and times of some of my favourite songs

When I was 17 years old a girl friend gave me the album At Seventeen the song is a girls point of view of the world it changed my male perspective of the world and has been with me from LP to tape, CD and MP3 accompanying me through my life like so much music; but of the girl that wrote those songs I knew nothing, so when I heard that she had written her biography I decided I had to listen to it.
Well it was great, sad, interesting, and entertaining. (I invited my wife to hear the story with me and she loved it though she is not as interested in her music as I am).
One of the things I love is that she introduces some of the chapters by singing the song or song she was working on in that period. It is a very personal and candid story that meanders like all our lives through highs and lows and the particular idiosyncrasies of her times.
I loved the young girl that sang to me. I respect the woman she became.

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9 people found this helpful

Absolutely amazing!

What a talent! What a survivor and what a nice person Janice is! I was entranced throughout.

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