Intimate and Intriguing, Patti Smith's Memoir Offers New Revelations
Patti Smith, the punk rock icon, has written several books intertwining reflections on her latest projects with memories and photographs of her beloved lost friends and lovers. Her memoir Bread of Angels stands out as her most autobiographical work to date.
Significance of the Publication Date
Smith chose November 4 for the release of Bread of Angels, a date of deep personal meaning: it marks the death anniversary of her husband Fred "Sonic" Smith in 1994, and the birthday of her artistic partner Robert Mapplethorpe, born in 1946. Both men passed away in their 40s. Smith describes them as,
"the love of my life and the artist of my life."
Autobiographical Focus
Unlike her previous works, this memoir candidly explores her journey from a working-class upbringing in Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey to her career on stage and in the recording studio. Smith paused her career during marriage but revived it following her widowhood.
Meaning Behind the Title
The title, Bread of Angels, symbolizes the "unpremeditated gestures of kindness" Smith has encountered throughout her life, reflecting her fundamentally optimistic outlook.
Other Notable Works
Over the past 15 years, Smith has published a concise collection of books blending thoughts on her current work with recollections and images of her lost companions. Among these, the most acclaimed is Just Kids (2010), which won the National Book Award and deeply captures her relationship with Mapplethorpe.
"Just Kids" is an extraordinarily resonant record of her relationship with Mapplethorpe.
Author's Summary: Patti Smith’s memoir vividly traces her personal and artistic evolution, highlighting love, loss, and enduring kindness that shaped her life and career.