Patti Smith’s ‘Bread of Angels’ Memoir Offers Intimate, Intriguing Insights

Patti Smith’s latest memoir, titled Bread of Angels, has been strategically released on November 4. This date marks the anniversary of her husband Fred “Sonic” Smith’s death in 1994 and the birthday of artist Robert Mapplethorpe, who passed away in his 40s. Smith describes these two men as “the love of my life and the artist of my life.”

An Intimate Reflection

Bread of Angels is Smith’s most autobiographical work to date. It charts her journey from a working-class childhood through her ascent in the music industry. Smith reflects on her life in Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, detailing her musical career, which she briefly paused during her marriage.

Meaning Behind the Title

The memoir’s title, Bread of Angels, symbolizes the unexpected acts of kindness Smith has encountered throughout her life. Such gestures have significantly influenced her optimistic outlook.

Life Stories and Personal Challenges

Smith’s parents played a crucial role in shaping her upbringing. Her father, Grant Harrison Smith, returned from military service in the Philippines suffering from health issues. Jilted by a former girlfriend, he married Beverly Williams, and together they raised four children.

• Smith was born in 1946 and faced various health challenges as a child.
• Her family moved 11 times in her first four years due to unstable housing.
• At age 8, they settled in a lower-middle-class neighborhood for veterans in south Jersey.

Despite their struggles, Smith’s parents nurtured her love for literature and creativity. Her mother became involved with Jehovah’s Witnesses, shaping Smith’s early experiences.

Musical Journey and Artistic Evolution

During her teenage years, Smith discovered her passion for music and poetry, later recalling, “The angels served a new portion; I discovered Arthur Rimbaud.” She revisits her beginnings in New York’s vibrant 1960s and 1970s scene in this memoir, elaborating on her rise as a punk rocker and the creation of her landmark album, Horses, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Smith’s narrative includes her deep bond with Fred Sonic Smith, expressing how pivotal he was in her life. After leaving her fame behind, she moved to Detroit for love and family. “I knew instantly he would be my life,” she writes. This domestic life led her to focus on writing, though she faced challenges in bringing her stories to life.

Reflections on Loss

The memoir also explores Smith’s personal losses throughout the 1980s and 1990s, echoing sentiments of grief similar to those expressed by French author Gustave Flaubert. Nevertheless, Smith’s outlook remains inspiring. She embraces her role as a survivor, determined to continue creating and sharing her experiences.

Thematic Duality

Bread of Angels oscillates between themes of mourning and inspiration. Smith reflects on her past, honoring “the worlds I knew” while celebrating new ideas and creativity. Despite acknowledging her diminished restlessness, she reaffirms that her essence remains unchanged.

Looking ahead, she describes her current undertaking as “the excruciating yet exquisite process of letting go.” With her unique blend of humor, nostalgia, and resilience, Smith’s memoir promises to be both enlightening and heartwarming for readers.