Reviews for A walk on the beach

The average rating for A walk on the beach based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2013-07-18 00:00:00 Elmer Mollett I am a little out of step with this one compared to others. Many who have reviewed this book appear to have read Joan Andersons other books and liked them. This was her first for me and I confess my reason for wanting to read this was to hear about Joan Erikson her rich and layered life. For me Joan Anderson gets in the way of a wonderful story and misses much, she drove me a little nuts (apologies if this offends). Joan Erikson on the other hand, wow just wow what a gem. I adored her quotes and quips, so much so that I have ordered The Complete Life cycle with the ninth stage included from the library. It is so cool that she embodies all that she has been and continued to be till the end. I wanted more of Joan and her story and less of Ms Anderson's needy wah wah. A little gratitude that she has a house in Cape Cod to run away to would have been nice. She kind of improved after she got over herself and climbed a mountain, but to be honest I am a little baffled why spending a year alone and going to Machu Pichu makes her a motivational speaker……..

Review # 2 was written on 2018-07-12 00:00:00 Raymond John Manogue Jr This is the third volume in a loose autobiographical trilogy about Anderson's experiment with taking a break from her marriage and living alone in a Cape Cod cottage to figure out what she really wanted from the rest of her life. Specifically, this book is about the inspirational relationship she formed with Joan Erikson, who moved to the area in her eighties when her husband, the famous psychologist Erik Erikson, was admitted to a care home. Joanie was a thinker and author in her own right, publishing books on life's stages, especially those of older age. She encouraged Anderson to have the confidence to write her own story, and to take up challenges like a trip to Peru and learning to weave on a loom. Joanie's aphoristic advice is valuable, but there's a fair bit of overlap between this book and A Year by the Sea, which I would recommend over this. Some of Joan Erikson's words of wisdom: "our devotion to our routines causes us to lose sight of each other as separate individuals." "Doing something with your hands, rather than your head, is often the best route to clarity." "It's a weakness to just sit around and wait for a life to come to you." "wisdom comes from life's experiences well digested. Stop relying so much on your mind and get in touch with experience." "Taking chances and risking routine are two important ingredients for keeping alive." "The struggle is to try and obtain a sense of participation in your life the whole way through. We must treasure old age, but not wallow in nostalgia."