I am thrilled to know of this new book. I have read her others with great delight, more than once. She may not remember yesterday’s conversation, but she hasn’t forgotten how to write beautifully.
Love this. Abigail Thomas is an important writer to me. I bought A Three Dog Life on an impulse, right before boarding a plane and it remains one of the central inspirations for me when attempting personal essays.
I now read Oldster before the New York Times. That’s because of essays like this. So beautiful. So moving. She had me at “dogs”. I forwarded the piece to 8 people before I even finished it. Just wow.
Abigail Thomas was in Portland, reading at Powell’s Books, and I brought my memoir writing class. No better way to illustrate warmth and authenticity in a narrator than to hear her read her own work. I love her books. I have read them as a guide for how I want to be in the world--honest, curious, flappable, and loving. Thank you, Abby and Sari.
"I was never certain of anything. I was never certain things would work out for the best, or that everything happens for a reason, or that there was some guiding force in my life. Basically I was driving blind for years, dealing with whatever the moment offered or snatched away. "
This resonates with me and I feel relief in my body reading it.
I love everything about Abigail Thomas’ writing. Touching, brilliant, inspiring. I’ve read all of her books and this new one is on an Amazon truck stuck in snow somewhere. She is a guiding light for me as an older writer. Sending you much love and admiration to you, Abigail, and to you, Sari, for highlighting this important and illuminating life stage and older writers through Oldster.
If I could write like anyone, I would write like Abigail Thomas. She's not only a role model for writing but also for living this life. I will turn 80 next year and agree. "It's all about discovery. It's all about the possibilities. Possibility is a physical sensation, and there's nothing like it."
Ah! So happy to read this this morning. I’m 50, on the brink of “what on earth comes after this,” and her work is so encouraging in its realistic attitude … and incorporation of dogs. 😂
“What were you once certain of, she wants to know, that you can no longer count on. I love the question, but for the life of me, I don’t have an answer. I was never certain of anything.”
"Possibility is a physical sensation, and there’s nothing like it." SO true, and something I've always known. Abigail, this entire piece is gorgeous, along with all of your writings! Thanks for sharing your insight and wisdom, it means the world :)
Thank you, Sari for this! And thanks to all of you who have written to say you liked it. I can't begin to tell you how much his means to me.
I am thrilled to know of this new book. I have read her others with great delight, more than once. She may not remember yesterday’s conversation, but she hasn’t forgotten how to write beautifully.
Love this. Abigail Thomas is an important writer to me. I bought A Three Dog Life on an impulse, right before boarding a plane and it remains one of the central inspirations for me when attempting personal essays.
I now read Oldster before the New York Times. That’s because of essays like this. So beautiful. So moving. She had me at “dogs”. I forwarded the piece to 8 people before I even finished it. Just wow.
Abigail Thomas was in Portland, reading at Powell’s Books, and I brought my memoir writing class. No better way to illustrate warmth and authenticity in a narrator than to hear her read her own work. I love her books. I have read them as a guide for how I want to be in the world--honest, curious, flappable, and loving. Thank you, Abby and Sari.
"I was never certain of anything. I was never certain things would work out for the best, or that everything happens for a reason, or that there was some guiding force in my life. Basically I was driving blind for years, dealing with whatever the moment offered or snatched away. "
This resonates with me and I feel relief in my body reading it.
I love everything about Abigail Thomas’ writing. Touching, brilliant, inspiring. I’ve read all of her books and this new one is on an Amazon truck stuck in snow somewhere. She is a guiding light for me as an older writer. Sending you much love and admiration to you, Abigail, and to you, Sari, for highlighting this important and illuminating life stage and older writers through Oldster.
If I could write like anyone, I would write like Abigail Thomas. She's not only a role model for writing but also for living this life. I will turn 80 next year and agree. "It's all about discovery. It's all about the possibilities. Possibility is a physical sensation, and there's nothing like it."
Ah! So happy to read this this morning. I’m 50, on the brink of “what on earth comes after this,” and her work is so encouraging in its realistic attitude … and incorporation of dogs. 😂
The book arrived yesterday (same day as Meredith Maran’s, discovered here). Abogail Thomas finds a world in a moment. Oh, those Depends!
“What were you once certain of, she wants to know, that you can no longer count on. I love the question, but for the life of me, I don’t have an answer. I was never certain of anything.”
"Possibility is a physical sensation, and there’s nothing like it." SO true, and something I've always known. Abigail, this entire piece is gorgeous, along with all of your writings! Thanks for sharing your insight and wisdom, it means the world :)
Thanks for that. It began my day-so I think it’ll be a good day.
Beautifully and courageously written. I love a good metaphor and writing that's about the forbidden.
What a thrilling writer you have introduced me to—I look forward to exploring further. Such a gift she is and oh, the possibilities!
To be fair the stairs at head of the meadow are very very long. I love the juxtaposition of the dogs’ discovery and your own.