Intimate and Intriguing, Patti Smith's Memoir Offers New Revelations
The punk rock icon Patti Smith has authored several books blending reflections on her recent projects with memories and photographs of her departed lovers and friends. Bread of Angels is her most autobiographical work to date.
Smith chose November 4 for the release of Bread of Angels deliberately, as it marks the anniversary of her husband Fred "Sonic" Smith’s death in 1994 and the birthday of her artistic partner Robert Mapplethorpe, born in 1946. Both men passed away in their 40s. Smith refers to them as “the love of my life and the artist of my life.”
Autobiographical Focus and Themes
Unlike her previous works, this memoir centers on Smith’s journey from a working-class upbringing in Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey to her life on stage and in recording studios. She paused her career during her marriage and revived it after becoming a widow.
The title Bread of Angels signifies the “unpremeditated gestures of kindness” that have marked her path, reflecting her fundamentally optimistic view of life.
Other Notable Works
Over the last 15 years, Smith has written a series of compact books mixing her thoughts on current pursuits with poignant recollections and images of lost loved ones. Among these, her National Book Award-winning Just Kids (2010) stands out as a deeply moving chronicle of her relationship with Mapplethorpe.
“The love of my life and the artist of my life.”
Author's summary: Patti Smith’s memoir reflects her resilient spirit through personal loss, creative renewal, and the kindness she encountered along her life’s path.