Bread of Angels, the latest memoir by acclaimed artist Patti Smith, raises the question: how many memoirs can encapsulate a richly lived life? Notable figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Shirley MacLaine, and Maya Angelou have penned multiple autobiographies, showcasing different facets of their experiences. With this new work, Patti Smith joins their ranks, matching Angelou with her own collection of over six books that blend autobiographical prose and prose poetry.
Unlike her previous works, which often focused on specific periods or events, Bread of Angels offers a comprehensive cradle-to-late-life narrative of Smith’s experiences spanning eight decades. The memoir flows seamlessly through time, starting with her earliest recollections, such as the first sensation of movement as a baby. This immersive storytelling captures the essence of her life, from childhood memories to her reflections on “the excruciating yet exquisite process of letting go” as she approaches her late 70s.
Readers may recognize elements from Smith's earlier memoir, Just Kids, which chronicles her poignant relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. In Bread of Angels, she briefly revisits this chapter of her life, likely presuming that her audience is familiar with the prior narrative that garnered her a National Book Award in 2010. By adopting a broader perspective, Smith could have easily transformed this new memoir into multiple volumes, further expanding her literary legacy.
Throughout Bread of Angels, Smith delves into her girlhood, her time away from the cultural spotlight with her husband Fred Smith and their children, and the complexities of her family life, including reconnecting with a child she had placed for adoption. With particular affection, she recounts her early years spent in a low-rent rooming house in Philadelphia, where she discovered her love for poetry through Irish fairy tales read by a neighbor. The influence of high fashion magazines during her youth also shaped her understanding of art and aesthetics.
For dedicated fans of Patti Smith, a significant revelation in Bread of Angels is her candid depiction of family life in Michigan, where she and Fred built a home. Little was known about their life during that time, and Smith’s reflections reveal a grounded existence filled with simple pleasures—writing at a card table, exploring literature, and listening to music. She writes, “Our life was obscure, perhaps not so interesting to some, but for us it was a whole life.” This intimate glimpse into her domesticity contrasts sharply with the vibrant public persona she cultivated in the past.
Throughout her decade in Michigan, Smith experienced a transformative journey that redefined her identity as an artist. This period, likened to an exile, was pivotal in solidifying her role as a writer. Although she occasionally wrote songs infused with the vitality of Beat poetry, she increasingly embraced traditional forms of writing. The core theme of Bread of Angels revolves around Smith’s evolution and the artistic growth that led her to create this profound memoir.
While Bread of Angels contains the spiky, intuitive energy reminiscent of her musical work, it also reflects a more relaxed and mature tone. Smith’s latest memoir, akin to her previous work Just Kids, is both smart and vivid, yet it conveys a deeper sense of introspection and growth. As readers navigate through her life’s tapestry, they will find that Bread of Angels is not just a memoir; it is a testament to a life rich with experience, creativity, and resilience.
