These Precious Days
Essays
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Narrated by:
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Ann Patchett
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Written by:
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Ann Patchett
About this listen
The beloved New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays.
"The elegance of Patchett’s prose is seductive and inviting: with Patchett as a guide, readers will really get to grips with the power of struggles, failures, and triumphs alike." —Publisher's Weekly
“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 truth in these wise essays that afford a fresh and intimate look into her mind and heart.
At the center of These Precious Days is the title essay, a surprising and moving meditation on an unexpected friendship that explores “what it means to be seen, to find someone with whom you can be your best and most complete self.” When Patchett chose an early galley of actor and producer Tom Hanks’ short story collection to read one night before bed, she had no idea that this single choice would be life changing. It would introduce her to a remarkable woman—Tom’s brilliant assistant Sooki—with whom she would form a profound bond that held monumental consequences for them both.
A literary alchemist, Patchett plumbs the depths of her experiences to create gold: engaging and moving pieces that are both self-portrait and landscape, each vibrant with emotion and rich in insight. Turning her writer’s eye on her own experiences, she transforms the private into the universal, providing us all a way to look at our own worlds anew, and reminds how fleeting and enigmatic life can be.
From the enchantments of Kate DiCamillo’s children’s books (author of The Beatryce Prophecy) to youthful memories of Paris; the cherished life gifts given by her three fathers to the unexpected influence of Charles Schultz’s Snoopy; the expansive vision of Eudora Welty to the importance of knitting, Patchett connects life and art as she illuminates what matters most. Infused with the author’s grace, wit, and warmth, the pieces in These Precious Days resonate deep in the soul, leaving an indelible mark—and demonstrate why Ann Patchett is one of the most celebrated writers of our time.
©2021 Ann Patchett (P)2021 HarperCollins PublishersYou may also enjoy...
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Olive Kitteridge
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Overall
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Performance
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Boring
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What listeners say about These Precious Days
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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Performance
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- Amazon Customer
- 2023-09-24
J'ai adoré
Aussi simple que ca - j'ai adoré - j'ai mordu dès les premieres pages et je n'ai pas laché avant le dernier mot. Bien écrit, bon sens d'humour, sensibilité et délicatesse , bien lu par l'auteur. J'ai partagé le livre avec mes amis, j'em ai parlé avec des étrangers sur le train.
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Overall
- cookie
- 2022-01-10
Absolutely amazing.
I just finished this and I want to start from the beginning and listen to it all over again. I thought I loved Ann Patchett before reading this book but I just feel like I know her now. What a gift she is to us!! I love how she sees the world.
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- Margaret McCrank
- 2023-03-23
A Beautiful Collection
I read this first and enjoyed it so much I listened to it a year later. It’s a wonderful tribute to friends, family,other writers, and to books and reading. A very personal collection, and I was honored to
experience it.
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- Dale Rogerson
- 2022-01-26
Wonderful essays
I loved each essay. Beautifully written and engaging. Ann's voice was clear and pleasant to listen to though a little monotone at times. it didn't take away from her stories, though. definitely recommend this!
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