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markjj's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting and valuable reflection in an - admittedly - beautifully produced format. Worth gifting to a friend in need.
kcvmoundshroud's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of musings on mortality is comforting yet deeply personal as the author navigates his late eighties. After spending much of his life immersed in theology and philosophy, the author writes these setting-sun essays with calm resignation despite facing a “crisis of faith” period. He doesn’t see it as a crisis, however, merely a period of questioning the existence of God and doubting the existence of an afterlife. Using poetry as therapy, he passes through the stages of grieving his own demise to elevate the finality of death into eloquent memorial verse. At the close of the collection, the author views the end of his life as a comforting walk culminating in boarding the “last bus” into whatever light awaits.
marcusjwilson's review against another edition
4.0
Meditations on art, faith, love and death drawn from a lifetime of considering these issues. Richard Holloway is always eloquent, compassionate, open minded and considered, and his work is life affirming, comforting and a joy to read.
rishyadav's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.25
So good! Love reflective and memory based work. Super well written and sensitive. Mildly self indulgent at points but so many valuable lessons. Both about the importance of mortality and the pleasure in not fearing it. We only got to play the cards we were given. And how we play the last card can win the game.
karenstory's review against another edition
4.0
My husband and I were on one of our last trips after both our parents passed away. We had been taking care of them for the last four years of their lives.
We were exhausted, and this was an opportunity for us to get away and just rest. And yet, we couldn't help but feel ourselves still wrapped in grief. There was so much to process and understand and appreciate about the experience of end-of-life.
At the Pilgrim's Way Bookstore in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA I was perusing through some books, and this book stood out to me, so I decided to purchase it. I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.
Wonderful.
Insightful.
Intelligent.
Humble.
Thoughtful.
Difficult.
The author considers his good life and how people manage their worries. He explores the big questions and faces his own uncertainties.
Mostly he gets to the very crux of what it means to be alive.
There is discussion about after-life. When he goes there, he loses me a bit. I appreciate more his discussion on making the most of being here now.
We were exhausted, and this was an opportunity for us to get away and just rest. And yet, we couldn't help but feel ourselves still wrapped in grief. There was so much to process and understand and appreciate about the experience of end-of-life.
At the Pilgrim's Way Bookstore in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA I was perusing through some books, and this book stood out to me, so I decided to purchase it. I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.
Wonderful.
Insightful.
Intelligent.
Humble.
Thoughtful.
Difficult.
The author considers his good life and how people manage their worries. He explores the big questions and faces his own uncertainties.
Mostly he gets to the very crux of what it means to be alive.
There is discussion about after-life. When he goes there, he loses me a bit. I appreciate more his discussion on making the most of being here now.
donnapoppy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
3.25
kizzia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.5
I thought I knew what I'd be getting from this book, having read other works by Richard and many of his articles in the press, and I did get most of what I expected but also quite a lot I hadn't thought to find which pleased me greatly as it made me think in different directions. I don't have the same views on forgiveness as Richard does and found myself disagreeing voluably at some points but that doesn't take away the power of a narrative about dying from a man who is over ninty and expecting death to come knocking very soon.
I wouldn't say that I found it joyful, as the blurb suggests, but I did find it uplifting and informative and it's given me a lot to think through in respect of how I, as a Pagan rather than a Christian, might apply some of his thoughts and suggestions.
I listened to an audio version of this book, excellently narrated by Richard himself. Given that this book first started as a series of lectures Richard recorded for BBC radio it felt appropriate to experience it this way.
I wouldn't say that I found it joyful, as the blurb suggests, but I did find it uplifting and informative and it's given me a lot to think through in respect of how I, as a Pagan rather than a Christian, might apply some of his thoughts and suggestions.
I listened to an audio version of this book, excellently narrated by Richard himself. Given that this book first started as a series of lectures Richard recorded for BBC radio it felt appropriate to experience it this way.