‘How should I cast my soul?’ Patti Smith’s intimate new memoir is a quest for her true self

How Should I Cast My Soul? Patti Smith’s Intimate New Memoir

Patti Smith’s memoir Bread of Angels covers her entire life, exploring themes of deep love, unbearable loss, and creative renewal. It is a deeply personal and comprehensive work, ten years in the making.

A Significant Release Date

Bread of Angels was published on a meaningful date: November 4. This date marks both the birth of Smith's artistic soulmate and first true love, photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, in 1946, and the death of her beloved husband and musician Fred “Sonic” Smith in 1994.

Reflections on Time and Life

“The hourglass overturns,” Patti Smith writes. “Each grain a word that erupts into a thousand more, the first and last moments of every living thing.”

This meditation on time mirrors the profound and illuminating style found in her poetry and life writing.

Previous Works and Themes

Just Kids: Celebrated as one of the best books of the 21st century by readers of The New York Times, it details Smith’s extraordinary relationship with Mapplethorpe while they launched their artistic careers in 1970s New York.
M Train and Year of the Monkey: These memoirs offer insights into her spiritual perspective and creative process, contemplating the passing of time during her travels.
Devotion: Explores writing as a purposeful act that keeps her energized and connected, avoiding being overwhelmed by the work of others.

Author’s Summary

Patti Smith’s new memoir is an intimate quest for identity, weaving love, loss, and creativity through a lifetime of artistic exploration.

The Conversation — 2025-11-03