Intimate and Intriguing, Patti Smith's Memoir Offers New Revelations
The punk rock star Patti Smith has released several books merging reflections on her recent projects with memories and pictures of her late lovers and friends. Among them, Bread of Angels stands out as her most autobiographical work.
The memoir’s release date, November 4, carries deep significance: it marks the death of her husband Fred "Sonic" Smith in 1994 and the birthday of her artistic companion 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."
Bread of Angels focuses on Smith’s journey from a working-class upbringing in Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey to her career on stage and in the recording studio. Her artistic path was paused during her marriage and later revived after becoming a widow.
The book’s title symbolizes the spontaneous kindnesses Smith has encountered, which shape her fundamentally hopeful outlook on life.
"the love of my life and the artist of my life"
Over the past 15 years, Smith has crafted a compelling collection of smaller books that intertwine meditations on her current life with recollections and images of cherished companions lost. Among these, her National Book Award-winning Just Kids (2010) is especially notable, vividly capturing her relationship with Mapplethorpe.
Summary
Patti Smith’s Bread of Angels offers a personal, heartfelt look at her life shaped by love, loss, and artistic revival, highlighting her optimistic spirit amid grief.