Bread of Angels

A Memoir

De: Patti Smith

Narrado por: Patti Smith

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A radiant new memoir from artist and writer Patti Smith, author of the National Book Award winner Just Kids

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: TIME, NPR, THE NEW YORKER

“God whispers through a crease in the wallpaper,” writes Patti Smith in this moving account of her life. A post–World War II childhood unfolds in a condemned housing complex where we enter the child’s world of the imagination. Smith, the captain of her loyal and beloved sibling army, vanquishes bullies, communes with the king of tortoises, and searches for sacred silver pennies.

The most intimate of Smith’s memoirs, Bread of Angels takes us through her teenage years where the first glimmers of art and romance take hold. Arthur Rimbaud and Bob Dylan emerge as creative role models as she begins to write poetry then lyrics, ultimately merging both into the songs of iconic recordings such as Horses, Wave, and Easter.

She leaves it all behind to marry her one true love, Fred Sonic Smith, with whom she creates a life of devotion and adventure on a canal in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Here, she invents a room of her own, a low table, a Persian cup, inkwell and pen, entering at dawn to write. The couple spend nights in their landlocked Chris-Craft studying nautical maps and charting new adventures as they start a family.

A series of profound losses mark her life. Grief and gratitude are braided through years of caring for her children, rebuilding her life and, finally, writing again—the one constant in a life driven by artistic freedom and the power of the imagination to transform the commonplace into the magical, and pain into hope. In the final pages, we meet Smith on the road again, the vagabond who travels to commune with herself, who lives to write and writes to live.

Patti Smith at her best

Interesting to hear. I believe it’s easier as an audio book than reading it. It’s complex but rewarding.

A RETELLING

Spiritual prequel and sequel to Just Kids - satisfying and grounded in a way that I yearned for when reading M Train. Brava.

Magic in the word

Every syllable, every word, every depth of description and spirit and life and love. Remarkable!!!

Patti Smith is a veritable genius.

It was a lot to take in. She was loved, but a lot of enduring sadness.

Another deeply moving look at Patti

Patti Smith delivers another heartfelt memoir. Some of it is repetitive in just kids. But then it gets really strong towards the end and we discover so much more that she has discovered. Her writing is lovely. Her music even better. Thank you, Patty Smith!

Another book to get lost in Patti’s world of daydreams, memories and relatable moments that shape us all.

Patti was recently quoted as saying she will often struggle over a few paragraphs. It shows. There are sentences so well constructed and composed as to place you directly at the center of her recollections. Her vast knowledge of books and extensive vocabulary are all on display as adornments to color her memory. Her ability to tap into a childlike wonder with adult perspective makes the book a joy to get lost in. As always, her voice is a pleasure to listen to and contains the inflection of a wise master of ceremonies. It’s like listening to the stories of a wise sage. It’s the perfect accompaniment to the chilly fall air and coming winter months ahead. A warm hug from the punk poet.

Smith is one of my heroes. What a fabulous writer.

Everyone’s life is fascinating. Patti Smith’s is doubly so. She is thoughtful, honest and not squeamish about revealing her own flaws and triumphs. Her ability to exquisitely observe everything, from a cup of coffee to the terrible grief of loss.

Fabulous

Just a beautiful memoir. Understanding the challenges of life while accepting the pitfalls but persevering with loved ones

A Brilliant Mind. A Beautiful Soul.

I tried to listen in pieces to extend this book but it was impossible to do so. Smith is an amazing writer. You feel as if you are actually in her life as she recalls it.
When I finished Just Kids I remember thinking and hoping she would write another memoir someday. I was so taken by that book I had to know more. Well, this is the book I wanted.
She's the kind of person I would have liked to be but didn't have the nerve to make it happen. She's become an icon, and a very humble one at that.
So many things come to mind when I review this book in my mind but one thing that really stands out is when she said the death of our parents rearranges our universe. Truer words have not been spoken.
Her love for family, friends, and the world is something that makes her truly stand out in my mind. I will revisit this many times as I have with her other books.
Her narration is the cherry on top. I absolutely adore this woman. Now I'm off to get the hardcover. :)

Lost Opportunity

This was titled a memoir, and I was hoping to read a memoir. Unfortunately, this isn’t a memoir. This is part memoir and part cheap poetry. The rambles and the waffling’s from Michelangelo to the face of Christ, to being a dragonfly to the lost city Tibet takes you down a waffling path of nonsense. It’s a missed opportunity to have written a great memoir about her life and experience, being on the road, the people she met, how she wrote the songs, her experiences and beyond. Unfortunately, this sat between three camps. The first camp is a memoir, the second camp is B class poetry, and the last camp is utter waddle.
I am sorry, this must’ve taken a lot of work, but I would’ve really like to read a memoir and feel this is a missed opportunity.