DEVOTION Why I Write

Patti Smith makes a story of her process of creation. The result is a contemplation of the art of writing, sources of inspiration, and movement towards discipline, which may be a little dry for those who are not interested in Smith's work or her frequent French backdrops. For fans of Smith's work, however, her narration creates the illusion of being in the same room with her. We are treated to the best kind of lecture, one given by a generous intellectual mind. She is warm, precise, and measured as she describes struggling with the mundane details of everyday life in order to give rein to the impulse to create. M.R. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2018]