Devotion

Devotion is a genre-defying work from musician and author Patti Smith, structured in three distinct sections that explore creativity, obsession, and the nature of writing itself. The book emerged from Smith's 2016 Windham-Campbell lecture at Yale University and launched the "Why I Write" series from Yale University Press. The first section follows Smith through Paris and London as she traces the footsteps of writers and thinkers who inspire her, including visits to Simone Weil's grave and various literary landmarks. Her observations and memories interweave with reflections on her creative process and the formation of stories. The centerpiece of the book is a short fiction piece about a young Estonian figure skater and her complex relationship with an older patron, exploring themes of artistic freedom and control. The narrative draws inspiration from Smith's encounters with media, including footage of a Russian skater and a film about Estonian exiles. This slim volume serves as both a meditation on the creative process and an examination of what drives artists to create, connecting seemingly disparate elements into a cohesive exploration of devotion in its many forms.

Readers describe Devotion as a meditation on the creative process that weaves together Smith's travel observations, personal reflections, and a short fictional story. Many say it reads like a diary or stream of consciousness. Readers appreciate: - The intimate glimpse into Smith's writing process - Her observations about art and creativity - The lyrical, dream-like quality of her prose - The seamless blend of memoir and fiction Common criticisms: - Too meandering and unfocused - The central fictional story feels underdeveloped - Length is too short for the price - Writing style can be pretentious As one reader noted: "Beautiful writing but lacks cohesion - feels like reading someone's private notebook." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (150+ ratings) Most readers who enjoy Smith's previous work find value in this shorter piece, while newcomers often struggle with the experimental format.

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🎭 Patti Smith is not just an author but also a legendary punk rock musician, earning her the nickname "Godmother of Punk" in the 1970s. 📚 The book's Estonian figure skating story was inspired by Smith's fascination with historical Olympic skater Karin Kross, though the tale is largely fictional. 🗺️ Much of the book was written during Smith's stays at French cafés, particularly in Paris's Saint-Germain-des-Prés quarter, following in the footsteps of writers like Ernest Hemingway and Simone de Beauvoir. 🎨 Throughout Devotion, Smith references visual artist Diego Velázquez's paintings, weaving them into her narrative as symbols of artistic dedication. ✍️ The book originated from a lecture Smith gave at Yale University as part of the Windham-Campbell Lectures series on "Why Write" in 2016.