Rating: 
Summary: Best for moms and wives looking to find themselves
Review: I picked this book up from a table at my local bookshop on a cold winter day - the kind that makes you somewhat reflective about your life as a result of spending too much time hibernating and not enough time socializing. In the hopes that Ms. Anderson's experience would shed light on my own personal trials, I purchased the book and began reading voraciously. What I discovered is that I (a single thirtysomething living in the big, bad city) was not in the same lost state that Ms. Anderson was when she started her book. As a wife and mother, Ms. Anderson spent many years catering to the needs of her family while ignoring her own. Her story is one in which she discovers her self, her needs, her gifts, through communing with nature in an idyllic setting. As much as I would like to take a year off from life and retreat to a quaint cabin by the sea, swim with dolphins and chew the fat with the local fishermen, I just don't think it would be a viable option. Although an easy read, I just kept hoping for a big "revelation" and was disappointed in the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Inspirational!
Review: This book is perfect for women who are feeling restless in their marriages. I've been married for 15 years and can closely identify with Joan being the person who is "responsible" for the relationship, trying to make her husband happy and sacrificing herself in the process. I have not succumbed as deeply as Joan did, but her book offers a way to perceive yourself FIRST and make you look for alternatives. Although it is not a self-help book with specific instructions, it certainly creates new paths for married women to explore.
Rating: 
Summary: A Year of Navel-Gazing
Review: From the first page to the last, Joan Anderson reveals herself to be a self-absorbed woman, rather than the self-sacrificing mother and wife she claims to be. Her attempts to "find" herself, such as frolicking with seals, taking a job in a fish shop, and befriending another self-obsessed older woman, are stereotypical "enlightening" activities -- in other words, the so-called talented writer can't rise above the pedantic. This memoir is an insult to hard-working women who "find" themselves in the midst of busy and demanding lives without the convenience of a seaside refuge. Joan Anderson would have done the literary world a service to stay in her cottage and keep her "unfinished" thoughts to herself.
Rating:
Summary: Touched a Place in My Heart
Review: I loved this book. Joan's questions about her self-worth and place in the world touch upon questions that are present in many women's lives. Marriage often does not turn out to be the "soul mate" relationship the media sells. The question is, what then? Joan had the courage to ask, and answer that question through a period of introspection devoid of her customary support system. I found the book to be honest, compelling and thought provoking. I plan to read it again and was profoundly touched by her insights.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps a year wasn't long enough
Review: The Kirkus review gets this book well. Joan Anderson comes off as a self-enthralled and rather preachy individual. Despite her complaints about lack of fulfillment she seems entirely too full of herself. The book wears thin, I expect the author would too.
Unlike Doris Grumbach she is not someone I could imagine spending and enjoyable afternoon with.
Rating: 
Summary: Buoyant and beautiful
Review: This is an autobiographical account of the author taking a sabbatical from her marriage - something rarely heard of, even in this beentheredonethat day and age. Along the way she encounters storms, work, friendship, dearly departings and experiences with nature. As I read her book, I couldn't help but see how these things were real-time metaphors for the things encountered in a marriage. There are times of joy, loss, sadness, spiritual encouragers, hopelessness, friends who come alongside, and happiness regained. In a day where marriages are tossed overboard like fish gone bad, Anderson deserves kudos for being honest with her feelings, while trying to paddle back to her husband. Though this is a marvelous read, the silent hero in this book is her husband. It takes a trusting man to give his wife 365 days in which to find herself, not knowing what her decision will be until the year is up. Anderson talent for creating word pictures, whether about the sea, dolphins or slopping fish, the reader is there with her rubbing off the sea salt. In one poignant scene, Anderson and her ninety-something friend are at work on handheld looms. Her friend says about mixing the colored threads, "You must look more carefully at what it means when one color meets another to see how many strengths you have to work with and lean on." Anderson goes on to say, "...I am beginning to see that every thread is significant." I found myself examining my friendships, and recognizing each one's significance in my life and how we equip each other to continue on our own journeys. Weave yourself into Anderson's words; you won't want to miss the pleasure of her company.
Rating:
Summary: parcels of wisdom
Review: This book details the personal journey of joan who was lucky enough to be able to take a year off from her marriage by retreating to her cottage on Cape Cod. I felt as if I was reading someone' personal journal. It was interesting to see the similarities in thoughts between Joan, friends of mine and myself. If you have ever felt somewhat lost and untrue to yourself, Joan's time alone may be incentive for you to re-visit who you are. This book made me want to seek experiences - it made me want to jump into lake michigan this new year's day with others instead of watching them from the beach. It made me want to sign up for belly dancing classes instead of just thinking about doing it. It also made me want to call those old friends of mine who know me and love me. One thing that raised my jealously level a bit was that most people are not able to take a year away from life to just be alone and have someone else pay the big bills for them. If you can get beyond that, you will find a least some words of wisdom that you can incorporate in your life. The ones I took away were "FIND EXPERIENCES!"
Rating:
Summary: Give me a break
Review: Joan Anderson needs to spend some time volunteering for people who have real problems. I read this trite book in two days because I kept hoping there would be something, anything, that I could find likable about this woman. It doesn't take "courage" to go to your beach cottage for a year. She is a pampered & priveleged upper class woman who has too much time on her hands. The one redeeming thing I can say is that it made me thankful for my working class Mother who met challenges with grace, strength and humor. She was always aware of our blessings...even when things seemed difficult. Creating a strong family, service to others, taking time off when you need it, perseverance...these are praise-worthy qualities. Joan spent a whole year at the sea and still doesn't get it.
Rating:
Summary: Can I have her problems?
Review: This is a woman who spends a lot of time -a year- obsessing over her problems and the changes she needs to make in her life. Her problems include having a patient husband, two successful children, a career, and a second home on Cape Cod. Obviously, I don't see any real problems here! However, there are insights that can be gained and shared by someone who spends a year by the sea, and I really tried to be open-minded. I know that time spent alone can be rejuvenating and time spent by the sea can be miraculous; but what we have here is time spent whining , and it is so tedious!
Rating: 
Summary: Lightweight and full of self indulgence.
Review: This book was shallow and the author was self-absorbed and self-indulgent. One can find fulfillment in life without running away from responsibilities. "no man is an island", etc. She makes it sound like raising a family was a horrid chore that excluded her! She only barely mentions her parents. She obviously didn't get along well with anyone, not husband, sons, parents, siblings.
The opportunity to care for someone else is a gift. Too bad she misses out. Some people are just meant to be "alone by the sea", she is obviously one who does not benefit from relationships with others. I don't think she's a roll model for any woman unless you like to whine.
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