Patti Smith’s “Bread of Angels”: A Mirror to “Just Kids”
Patti Smith, often called the grandmother of punk, revisits her early years and her marriage in her new memoir “Bread of Angels.” The book offers a deeply personal, though not flawless, look at the life of a visionary artist who has shaped modern culture.
A Continuation and a Beginning
“Bread of Angels” functions both as a sequel and a prequel to Smith’s acclaimed 2010 memoir “Just Kids.” It returns to her formative years and reflects on the relationships and inspirations that molded her artistic path.
Legacy and Recognition
Smith’s influence extends far beyond music. She is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and a recipient of the French Legion of Honor. Yet, for critic Maureen Corrigan, Smith’s most enduring achievement is having “Just Kids” become part of New York’s literary canon.
Maureen Corrigan’s Reflection
“I teach Patti Smith’s iconic memoir, ‘Just Kids,’ almost every year in my New York lit course at Georgetown. And without fail, there are undergrads, some of whom hadn’t heard of Smith before, who say it’s their favorite book.”
Corrigan notes that, like other quintessential New York stories, “Just Kids” captures the hopeful chaos of starting out in the city. Smith recalls her 1967 arrival at Port Authority from New Jersey, her nights sleeping in parks, and her first encounter with Robert Mapplethorpe, her future soulmate.
“Part of what's so entrancing to my students is Smith's trust that if she just flung herself onto New York, the city would buoy her up.”
In “Bread of Angels,” that same trust reappears—reborn through memory and maturity. The book bridges past and present, filling the emotional and creative space between innocence and experience.
Author’s Summary
Smith’s “Bread of Angels” expands her mythic portrait of youth and art, tying together her fearless beginnings with the wisdom of a life fully lived.