Patti Smith’s “Bread of Angels” illustrates what happens when a poet becomes a historian, chronicling the tales of her life.
Pioneering punk rock music, Patti Smith earned her place as a musical legend before capturing the hearts of readers with her 2010 memoir, “Just Kids.” Now, she returns to the page with her latest work, “Bread of Angels,” filling in the gaps of her previous memoir with new insights on her journey as an artist and writer.
Released on Nov. 4, “Bread of Angels” shares its release date with the anniversary of her husband’s passing, Fred “Sonic” Smith, and the birthday of her longtime partner and muse, Robert Mapplethorpe.
Despite detailing her many ailments, from scarlet fever to tuberculosis, Smith narrates her upbringing through the bright eyes of a child. She uses imagination as a tool to overcome hardships and keeping youthful role models — from Peter Pan to Arthur Rimbaud — as steadfast companions throughout her life. Her distinct style transforms these memories into survival tales, a fledgling writer yearning to be set free.
Smith’s lyrical prose reflects her musical calling, further affirmed as she recounts a near-death experience — sick with yet another virus, the promise of listening to the aria “Un bel di Vedremo” keeps her alive.
Tales of Smith’s childhood interests, from a brief stint as a Jehovah’s Witness to her fascination with Tibetan Buddhism, explain her fascination with the spiritual realm. Experimenting with different guiding philosophies and beliefs throughout her life, Smith’s writing takes on a wisdom of its own, each sentence containing a child’s earnest recollections, tethered to her wise narration resulting from a life well-lived. The execution of this striking contrast makes for a unique reading experience, feeling as though one foot lies in Smith’s childhood daydreams and another in her retrospective musings.
Beyond her childhood, Smith writes of a topic left unexplored in her previous books: her musical career. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this month, Smith recounts the genesis of her debut album, Horses, penning the revolutionary journey of a poet-turned-singer who inspired the quintessential punk attitude.
Love flows through Smith’s words as she describes her connection with Fred Smith, detailing their long-distance relationship as two touring artists. When presented with the demo for her hit song, “Because the Night,” originally written for Bruce Springsteen, Smith recalls how her relationship with Fred Smith and a missed phone call inspired the track’s iconic lyrics.
“Have I doubt when I’m alone / love is a ring / the telephone,” she sings in the song.
While insight into Smith’s musical career proves fascinating for fans of her vast discography, her strongest writing takes root during the description of her life after she decides to stop making music. Marked by the tragic passing of her husband and brother, Smith manages to retain childlike wonder in her writing, blending her reflections on youth and aging with the deft wording of a poet.
While “Bread of Angels” provides the perfect companion read to “Just Kids,” the memoir stands on its own as an undeniable feat of composition. More than a memoir, the book delivers an effortless continuation of Smith’s corpus of work, spanning poetry, lyrics and nonfiction. While love manifests in many places throughout Smith’s recounting of her life, “Bread of Angels” ultimately eternalizes the love between a writer and the pen.
4 ½ half angels out of 5
