Intimate and Intriguing, Patti Smith's Memoir Unveils New Insights
Patti Smith, the punk rock icon, has authored several books that intertwine reflections on her current projects with memories and photographs of her lost lovers and close friends. Among these, Bread of Angels stands out as her most autobiographical work.
Significance of the Publication Date
Smith chose November 4 for the release of Bread of Angels, a date that carries deep personal meaning: it marks the anniversary of her husband Fred "Sonic" Smith's death in 1994 and the birthday of her artistic companion Robert Mapplethorpe, born in 1946. Both men died in their 40s and held pivotal roles in her life. She describes them as "the love of my life and the artist of my life."
Focus and Themes of Bread of Angels
This latest memoir candidly explores Smith’s journey from a working-class upbringing in Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey to her vibrant stage and recording career. She pauses to highlight a break she took during her marriage and how she reignited her creative pursuits after becoming a widow.
The title Bread of Angels symbolizes the "unpremeditated gestures of kindness" Smith has received throughout her life, which shape her fundamentally optimistic view.
Smith's Bibliographic Highlights
Over the past fifteen years, Smith has crafted a concise series of small books blending reflections on her present activities with affectionate recollections of friends and lovers. Her most acclaimed work in this collection is Just Kids (2010), which won the National Book Award and poignantly chronicles her relationship with Mapplethorpe.
Author's summary: Patti Smith’s Bread of Angels offers a heartfelt, autobiographical look into her life’s pivotal moments, illuminated by personal loss and enduring kindness.