From the author of the bestselling A Year By the Sea, comes the inspiring story about how her and Joan Erikson’s friendship pushed them to remember the importance of transformation and sustained them through their unique challenges. Shortly after arriving on Cape Cod to spend a year by herself, Joan Anderson’s chance encounter with a wise and astonishing woman helped her usher in the … her usher in the self-discoveries that led to her ongoing renewal. First glimpsed as a slender figure on a fogged-in beach, Joan Erikson was not only a friend and confidante when she was most needed, but also a guide as Anderson stretched and grew into her unfinished self.
Joan Erikson was perhaps best known for her collaboration with her husband, Erik, a pioneering psychoanalyst and noted author. After Erik’s death, she wrote several books extending their theory of the stages of life to reflect her understanding of aging as she neared ninety-five. But her wisdom was best taught through their friendship; as she sat with Anderson, weaving tapestries of their lives with brightly colored yarn while exploring the strength gathered from their accumulated experiences, Joan Erikson’s lessons took shape on their small cardboard looms as well as in her friend’s revitalized life.
In writing about their extraordinary friendship, Anderson reveals a need she didn’t know she had: for a mentor to help navigate the transitions she faced as she grew beyond middle age. And when Joan Erikson had to face her husband’s death and the growing limitations of her own body, Anderson was able to give back some of the wisdom she had gleaned. To this poignant, joyful account, Joan Anderson brings the candor and sensitivity that have made her an acclaimed speaker and writer on midlife and its possibilities. A Walk on the Beach is an experience to savor and treasure, a glimpse of the exuberant spirit that can be sustained and passed on in all our friendships.
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I found the author patronizing towards the elder character in this story and, in general, found the story self indulgent without being enlightening. Based on the description of the book, this was not what I was hoping for. Didn’t even finish reading it.
Sage is the right word for Joan Erikson: wife of Erik Erikson and an often “silent partner” to her more famous husband. Joan Anderson, the author of A Walk on the Beach, meets Joan Erikson when she is well into her later years and prior to the death of her husband Erik. Joan Erikson is quite the character: vital, full of wit and wisdom. The two Joans form a close and loving relationship, providing Joan Anderson with a backdrop on which to reconceptualize her own life. This books chronicles their meeting, relationship and Joan Erikson’s lasting influence on her. It is a loving tribute to a woman who was extraordinary. After reading this book, however, I do question Erikson’s Ninth Stage of Development, which does not seem to truly fit the woman described in the book. She is more vital and does not give in to the despair that the stage seems to indicate.
A book giving us a valuable example of living our lives as best we can without thought to being on the “downhill” side as we grow older. It truly is never too late.
A gentle read
Loved this book! I actually wrote down some of the wisdom that this older woman imparts to her friend… words we can all live by!
A very enjoyable true tale of a unique friendship between two women
Enjoyed this book about caring for others
Thought provoking, loved it. Made me think about friendship and aging in a new way.
Realiztic
Every woman needs another woman like this in their life.
Any book you pick up by Joan Anderson will be life changing. A walk on a Beach is no exception!
I do not often give a book a 5 star. This book touched my soul. I look forward to reading other books by this author. I will be purchasing this book for special women in my life. This is a classic
Wonderful book
Loved the book. I felt I was right there with both throughout the book. Wonderful, and inspiring.
Interesting character study. Sometimes “transformation” looks just like blatant self involvement
A guidebook for life!
This book, without a doubt, is my favorite book of 2018. Though it was written some 14 years ago This is a novel that could be a life changing read It shows characters willing to learn new ways to live their lives and find meaning and joy in so doing. Two women’s lives entwined by a chance meeting on the beach.
Do not miss the opportunity to join them on this wonderful journey.
I absolutely loved this book. The wisdom contained within was nourishing to my middle-aged soul. Often many of us middle-agers tend to get lost at this time of our lives. This book brings you back to yourself and to your soul.