Patti Smith’s ‘Bread of Angels’: A reflective memoir of art and life
Patti Smith’s fourth memoir, Bread of Angels, serves both as a prequel and a sequel to her acclaimed work Just Kids, exploring her journey from an artist wrestling with religious constraints to a celebrated figure in the music world, reports BritPanorama.
In Bread of Angels, Smith revisits her formative years, showcasing her artistic evolution and the profound impact of her early life experiences. Raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, Smith experienced conflict between her religious upbringing and her burgeoning passion for art, ignited during a pivotal visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art in her youth. At the age of 14, disillusioned with the church’s stance against artistic expression, she decided to leave Bible study and dedicate herself to her evolving sense of self through art.
Now 78, Smith reflects on a significant chapter of her life when she took a break from music after the success of her landmark 1975 album Horses. While achieving fame as the “godmother of punk,” she felt compelled to step away, opting instead for a quieter life in Detroit with her husband, Fred “Sonic” Smith. This decision marked a formative moment of reclamation, which she describes as her second declaration of existence.
The memoir delves into Smith’s childhood shaped by poverty and resilience, detailing her battles against life-threatening illnesses and the toughness instilled in her by a challenging environment. Yet amidst the harsh realities, her imagination thrived. Smith expresses a deep connection to nature and literature, seeing books as vessels of wisdom. Authors like Rimbaud left a lasting impression on her, their works igniting her creative spirit and illuminating the duality of existence.
Through the lens of memory, Smith splendidly illustrates her past, presenting a vibrant tapestry of her life with a blend of humour and poignant recollections. The memoir includes encounters with notable cultural figures such as William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and Bob Dylan, enhancing the narrative’s richness.
Smith’s narrative also addresses her years in Detroit as a mother, a period of domestic bliss shattered by tragedy when her husband passed away in 1994. Suddenly the primary provider, she navigated profound loss while continuing to produce creative work. The poignant losses throughout her life, including the deaths of fellow artists and family members, inform the complex emotions underlying her artistic output.
With 2025 marking the 50th anniversary of Horses, Smith’s ongoing creativity is noteworthy. In Bread of Angels, she articulates how aging has brought her a distinctive peace, likening it to a serene light amidst life’s chaos.
‘Bread of Angels’ is published by Bloomsbury, £25
