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These Precious Days

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These Precious Days

By: Ann Patchett
Narrated by: Ann Patchett
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Summary

 Bloomsbury presents These Precious Days written and read by Ann Patchett.

A BARACK OBAMA TOP BOOK OF 2021

‘A heartfelt and witty collection of essays on everything from marriage and knitting to the inevitability of death’ Guardian

'A pitch-perfect collection ... She can turn a sentence like no one else: her writing is clear, honest, witty, and just full of unsentimental humanity' Nigella Lawson

‘Profound and clever and funny and wise’ Meg Mason, author of Sorrow & Bliss
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An irresistible collection of essays and memoir from the internationally bestselling, Women’s Prize-winning author of The Dutch House

'Any story that starts will also end.’ As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this as she explores family, friendship, marriage, failure, success, and what it all means.

Ranging from the personal – her portrait of the three men she called her fathers; how a chance encounter with Tom Hanks led to one of the most important friendships of her life; how to answer when someone asks why you don’t have children – to the sublime – the unexpected influence of Snoopy; the importance of knitting; the pleasure to be found in children’s books – each essay transforms the particular into the universal, letting us all see our own worlds anew.

Illuminating, penetrating, funny and generous, These Precious Days is joyful time spent in the company of one of our greatest living authors.

'Patchett's essays are both sharp and humane ... like a hugely enjoyable conversation with a particularly brilliant friend' Sadie Jones©2021 Ann Patchett (P)2021 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Art & Literature Authors Essays Nonfiction Funny
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Having read The Dutch House and been totally absorbed by the story and the author’s writing style, I was excited to read this latest book and expected much of the same. How wrong I was !
This book is simply wonderful and although I only finished it today, I can’t wait to start over again. Perhaps it’s because I am the same age as Ann Patchett that a lot of her life experiences, the stories and the emotions she portrayed so well , resonated with me. I laughed and I cried and devoured every last word. I listened to this on audible and loved the author’s narration but I need this as a tangible hard copy in my life. If only there were more stars to give, as I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

The best book I will read all year 02.01.22

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This book is a treasure. I have listened to it as an audible book and now want to have it in hard copy. Ann shares her journey as a writer interspersed with beautiful insights into her personal life and of those she loves.

Beautiful stories from life

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Simply beautiful
Wonderful story telling.
Now feeling the loss as well as the insight into sharing of friendship.

Heartwarming

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Loved the stories. There was just one I didn’t like. It was about religion and Catholic priests - and it nearly made me give up listening. I’m glad I didn’t.

A beautiful beautiful book

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This audiobook is a gem and you should buy it; however, there are a few things to bear in mind: These Precious Days is an essay collection with many topics but only one subject: Ann Patchett. Though the chapter titles may refer to Eurora Welty or Kate Di Camillo, what you will hear about is how these people impacted on Ann Patchett and what Ann Patchett feels about them. This is not a criticism, Patchett writes with elegance and humour, but be warned: this is all about her. The other thing to bear in mind is that Patchett is never wrong, even when she does things that might give a normal person pause (e.g. taking psilocibin and ending up in a drug-induced hell). The essays vary in length, and range from profound musings about life and death to light and fluffy reflections on the Peanuts cartoon strip. Two longer-form pieces are less successful: a rambling two hours on why Patchett doesn't have children (my advice: skip) and a shapeless two-and-half hour mind-dump about a new friend who is terminally ill (my advice: listen – some of it is excellent – but on 1.5x speed). Patchett is a marvellous narrator, and her reading brings a valuable extra dimension to this book. I highly recommend the book and have bought it for friends, but if you are not a Patchett fan – forget about it.

It's great, but it's all about Ann

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