This book made me long for a year by the sea myself... | A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman...

a must-read for women over 50 | A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman | Joan Anderson

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	• A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman Joan Anderson Broadway, 2000 - 208 pages average customer review:based on 126 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Very good

This was a quick, quick, read. It took a matter of hours only. Could be done in one sitting. I enjoyed this, but I wanted to know more about the relationships she developed; especially the relationship with herself. I think we all secretly wish we could run away and do like she did - but it's so nice to live vicariously through her.

This book made me long for a year by the sea myself...

This autobiographical work describes a year's separation of a middle aged woman from her husband. She doesn't know if she wants to continue being married to him, but she does know that she needs some time to herself and that some changes are needed in their lives. She moves into the family cottage by the sea for a year, while he takes a new position at some distance (the fight that started the separation). She has some small income as a writer and he will pay the mortgage, but otherwise, she's going to be living simply on a small budget. She finds time to reflect on her self and her life and develop a better relationship with nature and herself.

I think this book is really written more for middle aged married women who have led traditional lives and long for more -- I don't fall in this category but I enjoyed it nevertheless. There are no profound insights but perhaps this will help someone make some changes in her own life (it's definitely a woman's book). The effect it had on me was to envy her the luxury of taking a year off and living in such a great place (Cape Cod), even if she did have to take some jobs to pay some bills. Still, she managed to make working in a shop sound like a great adventure.

This would be a great book for a discussion group, I think. It would certainly generate some lively conversations.

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a must-read for women over 50

Not to stereotype our group, but this was really a life-affirming book. I loved her style of writing and found much to think about even if I didn't get to spend a year in the Cape. (I only get a week each year!) I think we can all find our own solutions to fulfillment later on in life if we don't forget to be a little adventurous like Joan was. I gave this book to a couple of friends who loved it as well.

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Books that I have read

I am reading the three of Joan Anderson's books and am thrilled and amazed that she is so forthright and takes sucha "no-holds-barred" approach to her books. I would love to go to one of her weekends!

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Perfect 'Companion' for my own journey

At barely 41 and going through my own major upheaval of family and personal life, I happened upon this book in a quirky little tourist-trap town in Arizona. I was at the beginning of my own journey of transition and the reinvention of self. This book sat high in the upper corner of a bookcase nearly obscured by the larger, glitzy-er titles, but somehow it found it's way into my possesion.

On more than one ocassion has this book brought tears to my eyes. Partly because of my empathy for Ms Anderson's accounts, and partly because they seemed to be ripped right from the pages of my own life's story.

Her insight and wisdom are profound. She has much to say that needs to be heard. I would heartily recommend this book to all of my friends. It's become like a spiritual roadmap for me through the storms and challenges of life.

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