Patti Smith Shares New Family Secrets in Memoir
Music icon Patti Smith reveals personal family details in her much-anticipated memoir, Bread of Angels. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, she discusses the book's creation and why she chose to reveal these stories now.
Background and Inspiration
Patti Smith, the godmother of punk known for her groundbreaking 1970s debut album Horses and her National Book Award-winning memoir Just Kids, did not intend to write another nonfiction book. She explains,
"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."
The Dream That Sparked the Memoir
Smith was compelled to write Bread of Angels after a vivid dream a decade ago:
"In my dream, I received a package, and it was a white book, and it had a white ribbon and photographs of dresses that I had owned in my life. My wedding dress, the dress that Robert gave me, the white dress my brother gave me that's on the cover of Wave. And 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."
Significance of the Memoir
This memoir uncovers new truths about her family, including the role of her daughter whom she placed for adoption and how it helped Smith uncover facts about her biological father.
About the Author
Colleen Kratofil, Senior Editor, TV at PEOPLE, highlights Smith's rare willingness to expose deeply personal family narratives through her compelling writing.
Author's Summary: Patti Smith's new memoir reveals hidden family secrets unveiled through her adopted daughter, deepening the understanding of her personal history and artistic journey.