Society's Child

My Autobiography

By: Janis Ian

Narrated by: Janis Ian

Audie Award, Narration by the Author or Authors, 2013

Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Album, 2013

Booklist Top 10 Biography Audiobooks

The inspiration for the film Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

Janis Ian was catapulted into the spotlight in 1966 at the age of 15, when her soul-wrenching song "Society's Child" became a hit. An intimate portrait of an interracial relationship, "Society's Child" climbed the charts despite the fact that many radio stations across the country refused to play it because of its controversial subject matter. But this was only the beginning of a long and illustrious career.

In this fascinating memoir of her more than 40 years in the music business, Ian chronicles how she did drugs with Jimi Hendrix, went shopping for Grammy clothes with Janis Joplin, and sang with Mel Tormé, all the while never ceasing to create unforgettable music.

In 1975, Ian's legendary "At Seventeen" earned two Grammy awards and five nominations. Her next two albums brought her worldwide platinum hits. But after seven albums in as many years, she made a conscious decision to walk away from the often grueling music business. During this period, she struggled through a difficult marriage, which ended with her then husband's attempt to destroy her, and a sudden illness that very nearly cost her her life. The hiatus from music lasted for close to a decade until, in 1993, Ian returned with the release of the Grammy-nominated Breaking Silence. Now, as she moves gracefully into her fifth decade as a recording artist and writer, Ian continues to draw large audiences around the globe.

In Society's Child, Janis Ian provides a relentlessly honest account of the successes and failures - and the hopes and dreams - of an extraordinary life.

©2008 Janis Ian (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Each chapter in this mesmerizing memoir begins with an evocative lyric read and sung by Ian, who transports listeners back in time with both words and music." ( Booklist)

she won me over

first time author for me. I can't say I was a Janis Ian fan before I listened to this book but I am now.

Janis was always about her music, this come clear in the book. What comes clear in the book is how the underbelly of the industry comes to the fore.

All she ever wanted to do was produce music. She trusted those around her to her fault. Most everybody she knew let her down, big time. In the end they were all leaches.

It's amazing she survived as well as she did.

This is an excellent book.

Loved it

What an amazing and unexpected life! The book is a slow starter but stick with it because what follows is a story worth hearing.

A Poignant Autobiography

Society’s Child
My Autobiography
Janis Ian

MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER Audible
PUBLISHED June 7, 2012
NARRATOR Janis Ian

A poignant book, written from the heart of a creatively brilliant woman with amazing perseverance.

SUMMARY
Janis Ian wrote her first song at twelve and was launched into the spotlight in 1966, at 15 when her song Society’s Child became a hit. This was only the beginning of a long and illustrious career for the young genius. Ian chronicles her 40 years in the music business and how she did drugs with Jimi Hendrix, and went shopping for Grammy clothes with Janice Joplin all the while never ceasing to create resonating music.

In 1975, Ian‘s song At Seventeen earned two Grammy awards and five nominations. Her next two albums brought her worldwide platinum hits. But after seven albums in seven years, she walked away from the music business. During this period, she struggled through a difficult marriage and a sudden illness that very nearly cost her life. The break from music lasted for close to a decade until in 1993, Janice returned with the release of the Grammy nominated Breaking Silence. In SOCIETY’S CHILD, JANIS IAN provides a deeply honest account of the successes and failures and hopes and dreams of her life.

REVIEW
JANIS IAN is revealed as an amazing woman with tremendous inner strength, who was not afraid to show us her weaknesses in this emotionally powerful book. All her creative and lyrical storyteller skills evident in her music, are apparent in SOCIETY’S CHILD. IAN reveals an uncanny amount of turmoil; molestation, abuse, theft, illness, and the IRS. It is inspiring that after all the bad, that she was willing and able to get back on her feet, and find joy in her life again. Not only did she persevere, but that she chose to honestly share her life story with us, is a gift. It’s an expertly delivered self-portrait of an amazing artist.

The audiobook includes IAN singing a portion of a song in the introduction to each chapter, and detailing the song’s inspiration. Music and biography lovers will delight in Society’s Child. The audiobook won three awards: Audi Award, Narration by Author, 2013; Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Album, 2013; and Booklist Top 10 Biography Audiobooks.

WONDERFUL

Love this bio!

Every time I stopped listening, I couldn’t wait to start again.

Janis’s voice and songs pulled me into her story and made feel as if I was right there. What a amazing strong woman!

A true artist, captures a time its people and there effect on a real person brought to life

Eager to start Society'sChild and fed up with 1984's revolving dogmas. I it down 1984. Only to realize Ian would cover the time period. I Being born in late 1961 was not aware of the time that the book starts in but easily recognized it's effects to come.
I hungered for each new chapter and cried "say it ain't so" in the mists or each.
Being self read and adding bits of her own songs brings life, our lives to each chapter, time and Character.
I give it 5of5 in every Category.

Fantastic!

What did you love best about Society's Child?

I loved the parts where Janis played her own songs and filled in the story with music.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Janis

What does Janis Ian bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

You cannot read the book, it is specifically a audio book because there are musical sections incorporated with her story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I could, I would have. I was listening to it in the car... at some points I did not want to get out of my car.

Enchanting!! Ian's story much more than expected!

Loved this so much that I listened twice. What a journey and Janis is gifted with the pen and love that she narrated her own story!
Highly recommend, she's a beautiful soulful artist. Plus, she played with the best of them on tour, right during the musical renaissance of 60s and 70s music movement.
You will love it, very personal and her voice easy on the ears. She even sings on the narrative which enriches the storytelling ten fold!

five of five stars!

100% recommend.

This book is probably the best I’ve ever listened to. I laughed, I cried, I got angry. Janis Ian is truly the only person who could have possibly narrated this. The way she tells her story — written and read — is phenomenal. I’ll definitely be listening to it again.

Inspirational, emotionally engaging, LGBTQ friendly

Loved being engaged with Janis throughout her life story. At times tears or goose bumps flowed over me. The spirt of Janis comes through in each and every chapter.
Thanks Janis

outstanding

It was a pleasure to listen to her voice and feel the power of her soul as she shared her story