“We cannot write in water; we cannot carve in water. Water’s nature is to flow and that is how we should treat life. Emotion – negative or positive – do not deny it, but always let it flow through and then away.” – Anonymous
A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman by Joan Anderson is the story of the author’s search for direction and self-discovery after finding herself in a stagnant relationship with her husband of many years.
Separated from her life-long husband, Joan spends a year by the sea in their cottage on Cape Cod by herself. Feeling unfulfilled and without possibilities, she discovers a new life and spends time taking the steps to transform and grow. Joan discovers that she is always a work in progress and it is okay to be “unfinished” like the shoreline. There is (of course) an inspiring surprise at the end of the book!
The ebb and flow of the prose in this book is fabulous! Joan uses water-related, rich metaphors in this narrative non-fiction memoir to illuminate her feelings and her transformation easily and beautifully in each chapter. I could smell and feel the ocean when I read this!
This is a perfect book for women who are lovers of the sea or the oceans (as I am) or for anyone who is a student and lover of metaphorical prose (as I also am). I recommended this book especially if you are a woman who has devoted her life to her husband and children, and in the process, you’ve forgotten to nourish yourself. Anderson’s book is a wonderfully-written, very personal story that will encourage you and help you realize that it is never too late to live a life full of opportunities at whatever age you find yourself.
A bit about the author, Joan Anderson:
Joan Anderson is the author of numerous children’s novels and the author of Breaking the TV Habit. A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman is her first narrative non-fiction piece, and it has now been produced into a movie!
Joan has also written The Second Journey and A Weekend to Change Your Life. She lives in Cape Cod and conducts her popular workshops, of course, by the sea.
To learn more about Joan Anderson and to purchase A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman ,visit joanandersononline.com.
“I am unfinished as the shoreline along the beach, meant to transcend myself again and again.” – Joan Anderson
Vilma Reynoso 