Patti Smith Reveals Family Secrets in New Memoir
Music icon Patti Smith shares previously undisclosed family truths in her eagerly awaited memoir, Bread of Angels. She spoke exclusively to PEOPLE about the inspiration behind the book and why she chose to reveal these stories now.
Unexpected Return to Memoir Writing
Known as the godmother of punk, Patti Smith rose to fame in the 1970s with her debut album Horses. She later gained literary acclaim with her 2010 National Book Award-winning memoir, Just Kids. Initially, Smith did not plan to write another nonfiction work.
"I wrote [Just Kids] for Robert [Mapplethorpe] because he asked me to, just hours before he died. And I labored on that book for a long time, and did learn how to write a book such as that, but I hadn't planned to write another," Smith told PEOPLE.
The Dream That Sparked New Creativity
The idea for Bread of Angels came to Smith through a vivid dream she had a decade ago. In it, she received a white book tied with a ribbon, containing photos of dresses she had worn throughout her life.
"My wedding dress, the dress that Robert gave me, the white dress my brother gave me that's on the cover of Wave. They were all attached to stories about my life, and it was such a beautiful book, and when I woke up, my hands were extended."
About the Author
Colleen Kratofil is Senior Editor, TV at PEOPLE.
Summary: Patti Smith's new memoir unveils intimate family stories inspired by a symbolic dream, marking a poignant return to nonfiction after more than a decade.