Peggy Caserta, founder of the famous Haight-Ashbury hippie boutique Mnasidika, and lover and girlfriend of Janis Joplin, was a Louisiana homecoming queen turned airsick stewardess who eventually landed in 1960s San Francisco and set up shop. Her store was a hang-out for The Grateful Dead and Big Brother and the Holding Company; it was where Wes Wilson’s posters hung and Bill Graham sold concert … concert tickets and Owsley’s LSD was enjoyed.
Caserta’s world of psychedelic peace, love, LSD, and rock kaleidoscoped into bereavement, heroin addiction, prison, and desperation. She was hated, betrayed, and self-exiled, and after many, many years has recovered, returning home to the bayou to care for her mother with dementia.
Now Caserta is giving a new generation an inside-look into a revolution—both countercultural and personal—in her new memoir. It’s the celebration of a transitional time in history, and an attempt at redemption.
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I am not sure I am willing to take all details for fact but I have found the insight into a junkies outlook very interesting and believable from my own recollection of dealings with troubled family during that time. I was younger than the family member and kept away from it as much as possible but kids are never completely in the dark. I enjoyed it, if that’s the right word.
Raw and honest.
Throughly enjoyed reading a book that took place during my growing up years. Made me miss those days.
Narcissistic rant.
Rights some wrongs for Peggy and Janis. Truly harrowing tale of a woman lucky to be alive.
A flashback to Haight Ashbury in San Francisco in the early to mid 60’s when it was all about peace and love and breaking social barriers. Parts were entertaining and parts were tedious I thought but then first person narrratives seem to be that way to me.
I liked the down to earth presentati9n of the Author’s thoughts on her life and its intersection with history
Did not like this book
This is a sequel to the author’s first book, which was published 40-50 years ago. It is supposed to refute some of what she said in the first book, particularly in regard to Janis Joplin. Personally I would sooner believe the prior version, written at the time the incidents happened, rather than this one. I felt this was a sanitized, glossy version that came from an elderly woman looking back on how she now wants to remember the past, and not so much an historical accounting. I am 62 years old, and my memories have mellowed over time. but I don’t remember specific details about certain days in my everyday life 40-50 years ago like she allegedly does. I would buy her original book, but it is very expensive. I honestly believe it was more accurate.
What happens when you fall in love with drugs. You piss your life away.
An excellent account of the early, idealistic days of Haight Ashbury and its decline. The details of the writer’s drug use and addiction were painful to read. The willingness of the user to just chuck everything and continue to spiral downward to the point of losing everything was absolutely terrifying. Mentions of famous musicians and performers were interesting and may be what moves some readers to pick up this book but in my opinion it would be a good story even if Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix were never mentioned.
This book helped me understand the culture of Haight Ashbury during the 1960s. The story of her addiction and bottoming out was honest and enlightening. It was interesting reading about the music artists when they first started out and the changes they experienced when they got money and fame.
Ok, not great, not something that I will read again
I love biographies. This one was very interesting and entertaining.
An interesting peek into life in Haight Ashbury in the ‘60’s plus some inside info on Janis Joplin. Sadly, also a first hand account of heroin addiction and its effects. A somewhat rambling tale, possibly to sustain a drug habit.
I lived through this era, but not in the thick of it like her. It was thought provoking
Having been a survivor of the Age of the Flower Children, this is remarkably authentic. Ms. Caserta lived in the eye of the hurricane. It was sad to
see her descent into the drug world, but happy that she was able to escape the pull.
All in all very reminiscent of the era and a truthful view of history. Recommended!
While I really want to give “I Ran into Some Trouble” a 5, I gave it a 4, and almost didn’t finish reading it. The reason, I really don’t like profanity, and although understandable, with addiction, I normally just refuse to read or listen to it.
But the book was so intense and interesting otherwise, I continued on. Am glad I did.
I think anyone who are addicted to drugs or are even considering trying them should read this book. It certainly is an eye opener as to how you can go from being on top of the world to losing everything-all because of your addiction.
Gritty.