Gift from the Sea

Rating:
Summary: Womanly, Yes, But I Like It, Too!
Review: I'm a bit surprised to see this little gem of a book described as being primarily aimed at women. It struck me as being more in line with Marcus Aurelius' Meditations and the Essays of Montaigne. In a way, I think Ms. Lindbergh's writing is even better: more poetic, and less chatty. And her vision encompasses contemporary issues those fellows never experienced. Even though it has a 1955 copyright, this book has a very modern sensibility. (Not modern as in loud and decadent, but rather modern as in addressing issues of technological acceleration and information overload.) And she is no slouch in the wisdom department, either. Her vivid delineation of the several stages of life, and especially her insights into middle age make for though-provoking reading. I imagine she would make for a very wise and reasonable traveling companion. This book isn't just for the gals, guys. It's just plain great writing. It's a skinny book, too. Like the man once said, "There ain't much there, but what there is, is choice."

Rating:
Summary: Shells reflect woman's natures, within self and in universe
Review: Inspired by the sand, shells and sea on Captiva and Sanibel islands, Lindbergh reflects on the essence of woman as she sees it within the beauty and intricacies of various island shells. This introspective personal view from a woman often in the world spotlight, is a soul-searching and calming little voulme that provides the reader with many personal gifts. As a woman surrounded too much by the world, bombarded by too much information, mis-information, and non-information I could read and reread this guide to the inner self year after year on a deserted island and never grow tired of its many gifts. As the tide constantly changes, so does the reader's understanding with each new reading. A sea treasure for any woman at any tide of her life.

Rating:
Summary: Quiet and Kind..
Review: Just as other reviewers have suggested, how unusual and wonderful to find a work that is perhaps more poignant and fudamental to modern life than when it was first published in the 1950s. How significant for a woman of that time to wax lyrical on the need for female solitude and independence.

This is a tiny sweet little book whose narrative is framed by the beauty of nature and the complex lessons of shells. I loved her description of the day shared by lovers, from waking in the morning to walking and working and watching the stars. Her lessons were perfectly applicable and inspiring.

Essentially, Lindbergh is also suggesting that women slow themselves, which has become more relevant in this epoch. On bad days, she suggests baking biscuits, something which warmed my heart.

The only limitation of this little work is that it, at times, is restricted by the constructs of its periods. For example, as Lindbergh suggests in the 'Reopening' of the work, women are even still a long way from the equality she initially describes. My only other minor complaint is that she occasionally simplifies the intricate complexity of relationships.

But even still, I am off to bake some biscuits.

Rating:
Summary: Every page is a delicious retreat, a vacation for the soul.
Review: Not a book to race through! To be read slowly, alone, savored, re-read, meditated and mused on, with contentment. And if you can't find contentment, it will find you -- in Anne's words -- her gift from the sea.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh's thoughts are woven around her impressions gathered from her ocean-side stay away from society and civilization -- from people and things -- from noise and confusion -- from musts and don'ts.

What Anne discovers in her solitude at the beach, she offers to you the reader by way of her journal. The tiny shells she held and studied provide lessons to her and all of us.

Anne's musings about life, relationships, love, busy-ness, aging, simplicity and solitude came to me several years ago at a time I was re-assessing many things in my life. Like a grace, her words soothed me and helped me quiet my turbulent thoughts, and to gather my inmost spirit to bind the wounds, to fill myself with the good already all around me and to go forward.

I realized I could slow down my pace, choose my own path, ask for and expect some peace and quiet and harmony, because these gifts are there for all of us to enhance our lives.

Although written from a woman's perspective, Anne's gift from the sea is for all of us who hunger for the slower pace, the garden path, the sanctity in God's every creation down to the intricate sea shell in Anne's hand as she coddles it, examines its artistic swirls and ridges and colors, and listens to the lessons -- the homilies -- within its delicate curves.

A keeper of a book. You'll go back to this one, like to a favorite vacation hideaway or armchair by the fireside or corner in the garden under the stars. It'll be an old friend, a comfort and blessing.

Take a deep breath......Can you just smell the salty tang of those soft breezes off the ocean

Rating:
Summary: Gifts From the Sea
Review: Quila Mackinnon, a twelve-year-old girl, is just crushed by the death of her mother. Now she is only left with her father and the old light house on Devils Rock. Everyday, her father works in the light house while Quila cleans not only the house but the light house too. One morning Quila decided to go out onto Devils Rock. Breathing in the deep blue sea air was nice until she saw something. As she started down the large rocks, stepping onto the cold wet sand she remembered her father telling don't go down to the waves where they will take you away. Quila sat there shaking when suddenly yelled out, "Papa, Papa!" Her father came running out saying, "What is it?" "A baby Papa, I found a baby."
Natalie Kinsey-Warnock, the author, has a wonderful style of writing. I liked it because she used a lot of description and detail. She can tell in good times and show in good times as well. Find out if they keep the baby and what happens about having no mother!

Franny

Rating:
Summary: A must read for forward thinking women
Review: Thank you Anne Morrow Lindbergh for this lovely book that reads like poetry. It is amazing how so many of the inward and societal struggles Lindbergh so eloquently writes about continue to be issues for women as they try to define their roles and be true to themselves.

Rating:
Summary: Leading a peaceful and centered life through solitude
Review: The inner life of Anne Morrow Lindbergh is lived out on these pages. Having lost her first child to kidnapping and murder, it must have been very difficult for her to find a purpose to start over and bear other children. One reads between the lines and realizes that only in going deep within in solitude can one's soul be healed. One must give herself/himself time and not rush into busyness, looking for new relationships, new books to read, movies to see, or hiding your emotions, you have to play the whole thing out or you will perish. There are many situations we have to die to, to lose control of, and not try to possess. We have to detach ourselves, not by becoming indifferent but compassionate. Only then will we find peace of mind and soul. Anthony De Mello in his book: Sadhanna: Way to God also explores with us the joy that comes from detaching ourselves from any preconceived endings. To let go and let others become who they were meant to become not what we want for them to become. John S. Dunne is his book: Reasons of the Heart: A Journey into Solitude and Back Again into the Human Circle is one of the best books I have read and re-read on solitude. I will be giving a copy of Gift from the Sea to my 3 grown daughters for Christmas. It is my hope that it will give them support to live out their lives in the grace of the moment.

Rating:
Summary: A Sensible Sea Story
Review: The life of a woman is complex. There is more to it than an average woman might realize. Anne Morrow Lindberg is definitely one woman who does not easily overlook all that is included in the life of a woman. In the same way she does not leave aspects of the sea unobserved. In her book, Gift from the Sea, Anne Lindberg examines various articles of the sea and not only sees the objects as what they logically are, but also as how they relate to a woman's life. The book is beneficial because it has a good scientific focus while still retaining a profound literary outlook and it's detail and description is sensible.
In the novel, Lindberg describes things such as shells and then cleverly uses her observations as analogies for life. The inclusion of the life comparison is how she attains the literary outlook that is present in the book. After describing the moon shell's 'smooth circles winding inward to the tiny core', Lindberg then states that it is a reminder that we must be alone even for an hour or a few minutes a day to remain in touch with our core. The observing of the double sunrise and how it has a hinge binding two shells together is ingeniously used as a metaphor for relationships.
The book is not very difficult to read because it uses everyday terms and an extensive scientific background is not necessary to follow along with the author. Because Lindberg's diction is not difficult to understand, she can focus more on explaining each item and the description of each is more rational. Because Lindberg is not tedious in her describing of objects the reader's attention is kept throughout the book. They are illustrated until the reader has a clear picture of the item in their mind. Just as she has done this she goes into comparing the object to life and the reader is able to see how it relates to their own life as well.
Anne Morrow Lindberg has written an enjoyable yet significant novel which many woman would enjoy reading. Her diction is colorful and to the point and does not allow the reader to lose interest or the desire to read on. The scientific focus is evident but not in excess, she has achieved a perfect balance between science and literature in her book, Gift from the Sea.

Rating:
Summary: Precious Portholes of Feminine Introspection
Review: This book is a gem of feminine insight and should be required reading (I truly hate that term, but in this case, it is valid)
for women over 30. Not to mention women who plan to reach 30. I recall having this book forced down our immature throats in
junior high English class, when the book first came out to critical acclaim in the late 50's. This seemed ill-advised, as the subject matter, plus lack of plot and character development or even characters in the first place, proved quite beyond the limited literary appreciation of the class.

Half a lifetime later, while perusing the dusty shelves of a used book store, I came across a copy of that almost forgotten book, presented so enthusiastically but naively by my long-ago English teacher. Now, as an adult, I decided to give it mature consideration; Ic can't believe what a treasure I had in my hands--how I had missed these pearls of human wisdom for decades! But it is never too late to recognize a jewel between covers.

The author felt impelled to take a retreat on an almost deserted island--perhaps to reflect at lesiure upon her roles as daughter, sister, wife, mother, woman and human being. As she strolls carelessly along the soothingly indifferent shore, she can not resist picking up vairous shells--all gifts, as it were, from the sea. Considering each type at length at days' end, she realizes that these various shells represent the the different stages of a woman's life. The bivalves, like butterly shells, remind her of the marriage bonds; the chambered nautilus reflects her home, which needs more rooms as the family expands. For Lindbergh each shell fills a special niche in the multitudinous roles which is a woman's privilege to perform. So I invite all thoughtful, sensitive women to plunge their hands into the foamy surf and contemplate the gifts from the sea...of Life. Don't be afraid to recall the stages of your own past, for all personal struggles have validity in one's private destiny. Lindbergh's gift to humanity is a her tender but timeless insight.

Rating:
Summary: Precious Portholes of Feminine Introspection
Review: This book is a gem of feminine insight and should be required reading (I truly hate that term, but in this case, it is valid)
for women over 30. Not to mention women who plan to reach 30. I recall having this book forced down our immature throats in
junior high English class, when the book first came out to critical acclaim in the late 50's. This seemed ill-advised, as the subject matter, plus lack of plot and character development or even characters in the first place, proved quite beyond the limited literary appreciation of the class.

Half a lifetime later, while perusing the dusty shelves of a used book store, I came across a copy of that almost forgotten book, presented so enthusiastically but naively by my long-ago English teacher. Now, as an adult, I decided to give it mature consideration; Ic can't believe what a treasure I had in my hands--how I had missed these pearls of human wisdom for decades! But it is never too late to recognize a jewel between covers.

The author felt impelled to take a retreat on an almost deserted island--perhaps to reflect at lesiure upon her roles as daughter, sister, wife, mother, woman and human being. As she strolls carelessly along the soothingly indifferent shore, she can not resist picking up vairous shells--all gifts, as it were, from the sea. Considering each type at length at days' end, she realizes that these various shells represent the the different stages of a woman's life. The bivalves, like butterly shells, remind her of the marriage bonds; the chambered nautilus reflects her home, which needs more rooms as the family expands. For Lindbergh each shell fills a special niche in the multitudinous roles which is a woman's privilege to perform. So I invite all thoughtful, sensitive women to plunge their hands into the foamy surf and contemplate the gifts from the sea...of Life. Don't be afraid to recall the stages of your own past, for all personal struggles have validity in one's private destiny. Lindbergh's gift to humanity is a her tender but timeless insight.