The House by the Sea: A Journal

Although some of the references are outdated, this is a thoughtful, timeless piece, providing calming insight on the solitary life.

I think it would be impossible for me to read one of May Sarton's journals and not enjoy it. They all have a similar ambiance and put me into my comfort zone from the very first page. I love both the beauty of her surroundings and the depth of her feelings. However, I do prefer her journals in which she is confronting more personal demons. She is still relatively young in this journal--59--I believe when it opens. She develops more health issues as she ages. And, ironically, I, unlike many who dislike hearing her moaning and groaning about her aches and pains, find her medical issues interesting (and maybe this is because I'm nearing 70). This journal, in addition to the usual observations about nature and animals, contains more worldly observations. Also, she includes a long poem of hers from the past which was a few pages long. I'll admit that I am more interested in having her adhere to the journal form. If I wanted to read her poetry, I would order one of her poetry books. There was enough here to interest me because I have become very curious about May Sarton, but I think at times I was a bit frustrated with her choice of topics.

Surprised by the success of her first journal, A Journal of A Solitude, May Sarton followed it with this second journal. Not quite as interesting, but it contains the themes that will continue through her journals—her preoccupation with the weather, love of gardening, and the importance of her friends.Leaving the small house she lived in, she moves to a three-story house along the coast of Maine.There she struggles with the challenge of trying to keep a garden in the severe weather and the coming and going of her friends.She was a difficult person to know, but she was honest, and that comes through in her journals. It is an interesting journey, and I'm glad she shared it with us.

A journal covering the first few years of the 70s, some comments on current event are dated but the wisdom remains. This journal covers the time a woman in her 60s moves from a cozy village to an isolated house on the Maine coast. An avid gardener, she must tame her new place and learn to live with the elements including storms, snow, and deer fly season. The main theme is coming to terms with aging and the losses that involves. Realistic, honest, and inspiriting,

Sarton is a novelist, a poet and a memoirist .... It is the last that i think she most excels. She moved to Maine at age 60 and kept this journal. It is a thoughtful, contemplative and exquisitely written narrative of growing old and living in solitude. It is a quick read, but every page can be read over and over so truthful are its insights

I like it so far....haven't really gotten into it yet. So far its a nice calm read about someone who is older and has lived a full life. Lots of nice thoughts about solitude and making changes and decisions :)

May Sarton is a journal expert. If you're a writer of journals, you can learn much for her books. She writes them with thoughts of publishing so the mundane moves quickly along. (I read in short bursts.)

As with all I’ve read (Plant Dreaming Deep, I Knew a Phoenix, Journal of a Solitude), Sarton’s capture and rendering of emotional states is clear and vivid. She writes nature, weather, landscape, like no other.

May Sarton always transports me to another place She writes in a way that makes me feel at peace in the mad world

Gedanken und Gefühle beim Älterwerden. Hochs und Tiefs im Alleinsein. Alleinleben. Eine meditative Lektüre, die einlädt, der eigenen Haltung auf die Spur zu kommen.

good bok

Wonderful book