9.23.2009

gift from the sea

I was surprised at how much I actually liked this book. I borrowed it from Rachel, who gave it a good review, but the cover really didn't look that promising and like Ariel, I'm kind of swayed by the covers of books. But it was short and it was on my 'To Do' list for my book club so I thought I would hurry and read it and get it out of the way; another book ticked off my list. But I became happily sucked into the pages of this book. It is short, but insightful and beautifully written. This book is not a "story," it's about introspection for women in America; although written in 1955 it's words about the struggles and joys we face in life still ring true today.

It was written by Anne Morrow Lindbergh who decided to take a trip traveling from her home on the east coast down to a small seaside cabin in Florida. She stayed there for two weeks by herself and soaked up whatever she could learn from the sea. Everything she discovered around her spoke of things deep and true in life.

{It reminds me of the scripture in Moses 6:63 which says,

"And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in heaven above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me."}

Originally written just as a way to put down her own thoughts, therapeutically sorting out life, she was surprised when this book spoke out to many women around the world dealing with similar, internal battles.

This book is beautifully written in a lyrical style. Her book is full of profound yet simplistic quotes (found all over the internet). It's written in such a way that it makes you feel like you are sitting and listening to the sea as the waves rush back and forth and the wind pulls at your clothes while you close your eyes and feel the sunshine :D

4 outta 5 in my opinion.

5 comments:

Rachel said...

Ha ha! Is is bad that I tore my bookshelves apart last night looking for this book? NOW I remember lending it to you. I really need a better system...

Rachel said...

OH, and I liked this book too. I liked how it tried to say that we SHOULD have equality but that the measurement shouldn't be a man. Women can be what women inherently are and still be stong and smart.

dave + kirst said...

Yes I liked that too. I really liked her relationship advice and how we need to help eachother. I didn't have the book on me when I wrote the review but I could quote her all the time on what she said about men :D

And I think it's so funny that you can't remember what you lent me! I guess your brain was busy thinking of the shower you were hosting at the time ;D But I won't forget what you lent me. Hey can Sue borrow this book?

Rachel said...

Sure, give it to Sue. I think I can remember that.

Marianne said...

I did like the overall themes and ideas in this book, and it was beautifully written. But every time I tried to read it I would fall asleep. I would read like 2 pages and then would totally zone out.
Maybe it's because I've been reading nothing but novels lately. I know it is totally lame, but I gave up around page 100. I just couldn't get into it.
Plus I was seriously jealous that she got to be on a big vacation all by herself. I'll admit it.