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Survival Lessons

Author: Visit Amazon's Alice Hoffman Page | Language: English | ISBN: 1616203145 | Format: EPUB

Survival Lessons Description

From Booklist

Her own longing for a guidebook when she was confronted by loss and cancer inspired Hoffman, the best-selling author of 21 imaginative and compassionate novels, to write her first nonfiction title. While under stress, she “needed to know how people survived trauma” and to be reminded of “the beauty of life.” Writing with sparkling directness, warmth, humor, and long-steeped wisdom, Hoffman has created a companionable and genuinely useful book for times of crisis. Small, intimate, and lovely, Survival Lessons is illustrated by Hoffman’s photographs and sweetened with recipes to support one of her key guidelines, savor life. Opening her harrowing experiences to readers, Hoffman also remembers her mentors, from Anne Frank to her grandmother (“the person I could always depend on, as funny as she was tough”) to the writing teacher who helped her become a published writer. Hoffman offers hilarious advice for coping with difficult people, recommends watching old movies and reading “the greats,” and sings out, “Don’t hold back!” “Live right now!” Hoffman’s storytelling artistry enlivens each intimate, thoughtfully distilled, charming, and nurturing lesson in living. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Best-selling Hoffman’s candid, upbeat, and graceful guide to coping with trauma will attract loyal fans and all readers looking for sustaining advice. --Donna Seaman

Review

“In this gem of a book, Alice Hoffman acknowledges the sorrows of life, while reminding us of its joys. Survival Lessons is filled with love, insight, and lots of practical advice--including a crazy-good brownie recipe. I'll be sharing this book widely, but keeping one copy permanently on my nightstand for all the times I'll need its wisdom and warmth.”—Will Schwalbe, author of The End of Your Life Book Club

“Full of smart intentions and kind reminders . . . Uplifting advice we’ll gladly take.” —Better Homes & Gardens

“Very warm, humble, sometimes funny, infused with a spirit of optimism.” —The Jewish Week

“The book is not about her breast cancer per se but about making choices (each chapter is titled “Choose…”) that will improve readers’ lives and relationships and remind them 'of the beauty of life.' More than cancer sufferers will be glad they picked up this tiny gem.” —Library Journal

“It may be short, but it's powerful. An absolutely beautiful book.” —Sue Monk Kidd

“Heartening.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Writing with sparkling directness, warmth, humor, and long-steeped wisdom, Hoffman has created a companionable and genuinely useful book for times of crisis. Small, intimate, and lovely . . . Hoffman’s storytelling artistry enlivens each intimate, thoughtfully distilled, charming, and nurturing lesson in living.” —Booklist

(Review quotes)

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• Product Details
• Table of Contents
• Reviews

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Algonquin Books; 1 edition (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616203145
• ISBN-13: 978-1616203146
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

You may think you know who Alice Hoffman is. You've been reading her novels for years, from Practical Magic to The Dovekeepers. She writes women's literary fiction, right? After 23 such novels, it seems like a fair assumption. But did you know she's a popular young adult author as well? Or that she penned a nonfiction book, a memoir? Until recently, I didn't either, and I'm glad to have discovered some new Alice Hoffman titles to add to my reading list.

Hoffman's latest book is called Survival Lessons, and it's a heartfelt entry into the world of nonfiction, a personal journey made universal. Fifteen years ago, Hoffman received a breast cancer diagnosis that sent her reeling. Treatment and recovery proved completely foreign landscapes, with few familiar landmarks to direct her way. Hoffman wanted a guidebook, but found none. Now, all these years later, she has written the very book she wished for.

"There is a very thin line that separates readers and writers," writes Hoffman in her introduction. "You make a leap over that line when there's a book you want to read and you can't find it and you have to write it yourself."

The result is not a typical memoir, and in fact contains surprisingly few glimpses into Hoffman's actual ordeal. Instead, it's more of an optimistic instruction manual explaining how to take care of yourself when you're dealing with a serious illness, or any traumatic experience.

Hoffman's advice seems simple on the surface. Choose your heroes, she says. Eat chocolate. Only answer the phone when you want to. Read more closely, though, and you'll see the unique interpersonal observations you've come to expect from Hoffman.

Alice Hoffman's "Survival Lessons" is a collection of brief essays in which the celebrated author discusses how she has successfully coped with various types of adversity, including a serious illness (she is a breast cancer survivor). She admits to such feel-good strategies as, on occasion, indulging hersef in unhealthful foods and weepy old movies. In addition, she tries to let go of long-held grudges and pointless guilt; regularly enjoys the beauty of a garden, a child's smile, or a piece of beloved music; chooses her friends carefully; and emulates people who "don't give up, even when the going gets rough, even when they want to." One of her heroes is her Russian-born grandmother, Lillie, who lost both a husband and child, traveled to the United States, lived in a Lower East Side tenement, worked tirelessly in a shop on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx, and "volunteered at an old-age home into her eighties."

Hoffman's words of wisdom are far from unique. Many men and women, some famous and others less well-known, suggest ways to spend time more productively. One recent example is "The Gift of Adversity," by psychiatrist Norman E. Rosenthal, who offers lessons that he learned from his childhood in South Africa, his long career as a respected physician, and his role as a husband and father.

"Survival Lessons" is attractively bound and has lovely and evocative illustrations. Hoffman touches us with heartfelt guidance that should provide hope, consolation, and encouragement to men and women facing formidable challenges. Since "Survival Lessons" is concise (under one hundred pages) and not inexpensive, who would be its ideal audience?

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