“The kids are alright.”
Patti Smith, the writer, performer, and visual artist, has remained in my life, a beacon of light, since the day I first read the National Book Award winner, ‘Just Kids’. By the age of 19, I had become completely encapsulated by her writing, how it managed to sit so heavily on my heart, and what a privilege it was to understand hers. So you can imagine my excitement when Patti announced that after more than a decade, not only would she be writing another book, but a memoir.
‘Bread of Angels’ is an undeniably intimate piece that explores Patti’s life so far, guiding us through each moment of grief and devotion. From the loss of both the love of her life and the ‘artist of her’ life, to the moment she decided to start writing songs and poetry. It becomes evident throughout the first chapter, entitled ‘The Age of Reason’, that Patti was born to be a writer; she is a fanatic of life, bringing every intangible being into existence with one feathered touch. Other than the sheer scope and detail of her memory, her ability to connect with young readers, despite generational and geographical differences, solidifies her position in the arts for me.
It’s pretty astonishing to make a girl who grew up in the digital age connect to someone who grew up in a time when ice was delivered by horse and tuberculosis was rife. That is what spoke to me about this book, so that is what I will focus on. To recount all of the memories she writes of would deny you the pleasure of reading them firsthand for yourself – so I encourage you to do so!
Instead, I want to convey the intense desire I felt to write, to explore, and to understand more deeply, inspired by her words. I found whilst reading this book that as soon as I decided I wanted to write about it, I grew more impatient with every page I read, eager to get going. Every word she writes feels like it’s an electric jolt to just start, start now, anyone can. In a world where there is so much ease in ignorance, ‘Bread of Angels’ reminded me of what a privilege it is to want to think. In the very preface of the book, Patti’s pen tells her to write for the future, and that’s what she does.
At the start of the review, I used the quote ‘the kids are alright,’ because through her work, she is emphatically guiding the next generation. This memoir specifically feels like it’s speaking out to the new, to show her life piece by piece and what it’s brought her. Patti guides you to exist – to not let ease and convenience rule you, but to bear all heaviness and let cruelty inspire you, because in ways it will be beautiful. And in ways, it will create you. Just like it did her.
There are not enough words for Patti, and I think she would agree.
She could write the world’s longest book, and God wouldn’t I love to read it.
Words by Molly Morrison
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