Strange Days: My Life With and Without Jim Morrison

Patricia Kennealy Morrison recounts her relationship with Jim Morrison of The Doors during the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a rock journalist and the editor of Jazz & Pop magazine, she provides an insider's perspective of the music scene and counterculture of that era. The memoir details their Celtic handfasting ceremony, shared intellectual interests, and private moments away from Morrison's public persona. Kennealy Morrison writes about their correspondence, conversations about literature and mythology, and the complexities of loving someone in the spotlight. The narrative moves between their time together and the decades that followed Morrison's death in 1971. Her account includes responses to other portrayals of Morrison and their relationship, particularly Oliver Stone's 1991 film The Doors. This memoir explores themes of memory, legacy, and the challenge of establishing one's own truth against competing narratives. The book presents a portrait of a relationship that existed at the intersection of personal intimacy and rock history.

Readers view this memoir with skepticism, questioning Kennealy Morrison's credibility and relationship claims with Jim Morrison. Positive reviews note: - Detailed accounts of 1960s rock journalism - Behind-the-scenes glimpses of the music industry - Strong writing style and vivid descriptions Common criticisms: - Self-aggrandizing tone - Perceived embellishment of her connection to Morrison - Heavy focus on pagan/occult elements that some find distracting - Bitter attitude toward other Morrison associates Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 3.2/5 (50+ reviews) Multiple readers describe the book as "delusional" and "bitter." One Amazon reviewer states: "The author seems more focused on settling scores than telling her story." A Goodreads reviewer notes: "Worth reading for the 60s music scene details, but take the Morrison relationship claims with a grain of salt." The book remains controversial among Doors fans, with ongoing debates about its authenticity.

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🎸 Patricia Kennealy Morrison was one of the first female rock critics in America, serving as editor-in-chief of Jazz & Pop magazine in the late 1960s. ⚡ The author and Jim Morrison participated in a Celtic handfasting ceremony (a pagan wedding ritual) in 1970, though the legality of this marriage was disputed. 🎬 Val Kilmer and Kathleen Quinlan portrayed Jim Morrison and Patricia Kennealy Morrison in Oliver Stone's 1991 film "The Doors," in which Patricia herself had a cameo as the Wiccan priestess performing the handfasting ceremony. 📖 The book reveals that Patricia Kennealy Morrison identifies as a Celtic pagan priestess and has written several science fiction/fantasy novels under the name Patricia Kennealy. 🎤 The memoir details how she first met Morrison while interviewing him for Jazz & Pop magazine in 1969, leading to their 22-month relationship during the final years of his life.