Patti Smith's 'Bread of Angels' serves as both a sequel and a prequel to 'Just Kids'

Patti Smith's 'Bread of Angels' as a Sequel and Prequel

Patti Smith revisits her childhood and offers insights into her marriage in her latest memoir. Bread of Angels provides an intimate, though imperfect, perspective on the visionary punk poet.

Smith, known as the grandmother of punk, has received numerous honors, including induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the French Legion of Honor. Her 2010 memoir, Just Kids, is considered a staple in the canon of essential New York stories.

According to book critic Maureen Corrigan, Smith's greatest tribute is the inclusion of Just Kids in the New York literary canon. Smith's new memoir, Bread Of Angels, is both a sequel and a prequel to Just Kids.

Maureen Corrigan on 'Just Kids'

Maureen Corrigan, a professor at Georgetown, teaches Just Kids annually in her New York literature course. She notes that many students, some unfamiliar with Smith, declare it their favorite book. The memoir narrates Smith's arrival in New York in 1967, her struggles of sleeping in parks, and her meeting with Robert Mapplethorpe, who became her soulmate.

Corrigan highlights that Smith's trust in New York's support and the city's ability to uplift her is part of the memoir's charm.

Connection Between the Two Works

Bread Of Angels serves as both a continuation and a precursor to Just Kids, exploring different stages of Smith's life and artistic journey.

Author's summary: Patti Smith's Bread of Angels provides an insightful complement to Just Kids, enriching the understanding of her complex relationship with New York and her evolution as an artist.

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NPR NPR — 2025-11-06

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