A Walk on the Beach: Tales of Wisdom from an Unconventional Woman
Written by Joan Anderson
Narrated by Laural Merlington
4/5
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About this audiobook
Shortly after arriving on Cape Cod to spend a year by herself, Joan Anderson’s chance encounter with a wise, playful, and astonishing woman helped her usher in the transformations and self-discoveries that led to her ongoing renewal. First glimpsed as a slender figure on a fogged-in beach, Joan Erikson was not only a friend and confidante when one was most needed, but also a guide as Anderson stretched and grew into her unfinished self.
Joan Erikson was perhaps best known for her collaboration with her husband, Erik, a pioneering psychoanalyst and noted author. After Erik’s death, she wrote several books extending their theory of the stages of life to reflect her understanding of aging as she neared ninety-five. But her wisdom was best taught through their friendship; as she sat with Anderson, weaving tapestries of their lives with brightly colored yarn and exploring the strength gathered from their accumulated experiences, Joan Erikson’s lessons took shape on their small cardboard looms as well as in her friend’s revitalized life.
In writing about their extraordinary friendship, Anderson reveals a need she didn’t know she had: for a mentor to help navigate the transitions she faced as she grew beyond middle age. And when Joan Erikson had to face her husband’s death and the growing limitations of her own body, Anderson was able to give back some of the wisdom she had gleaned. To this poignant and ultimately joyful account, Joan Anderson brings the candor and sensitivity that have made her an acclaimed speaker and writer on midlife and its possibilities. A Walk on the Beach is an experience to savor and treasure, a glimpse of the exuberant spirit that can be sustained and passed on in all our friendships.
Joan Anderson
Joan Anderson is the author of the bestsellers A Year by the Sea and An Unfinished Marriage. She has also written numerous children’s novels, including 1787, The First Thanksgiving Feast, and The American Family Farm, as well as a critically acclaimed adult nonfiction book, Breaking the TV Habit. A Walk on the Beach is her third work of narrative nonfiction. A graduate of Yale University School of Drama, Anderson lives with her husband on Cape Cod.
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A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Weekend to Change Your Life: Find Your Authentic Self After a Lifetime of Being All Things to All People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for A Walk on the Beach
57 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Book three in a trilogy of Joan Anderson?s retreat to the ocean to find herself is more of a paean to a life coach and dear friend than the other two books that focused on the author?s identity crisis. How ironic that this friend turns out to be Joan Erikson, wife of the famous psychologist who coined that term. Joan E. is in her 90s yet has no trouble keeping up with the other Joan who is 40 years younger than she as they spend hours beachcombing the Cape Cod shoreline and sharing their thoughts on life. Inspiring ode to living life with vigor and joy as well as a guide to aging gracefully.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5So much wisdom. Felt Joan alive in every word.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I picked this book up at a thrift store. The title drew me in- A Walk on the Beach .. why that is one of my favorite things to do!This book is about Joan Anderson's encounter with a more famous Joan- Joan Erikson, the 90 something yr old widow of renowned psychoanalyst Erik Erikson. They meet at the beach and what follows is the story of their friendship, their meals together, their conversations. Some of it is interesting, inspiring even, while some other parts are a bit too over the top for my tastes. All the self actualization stuff, 'discovering oneself', blah blah.. Reminds me of a time back in the 70's when I had a miserable math professor who was into the EST movement and would come to class and preach about his realizations... instead of teaching math. I'm glad the book didn't cost much. Back to the thrift store it goes