Read on the heels of several other depressing books, this was not particularly what I was interested in reading at the time, so it might deserve more...moreRead on the heels of several other depressing books, this was not particularly what I was interested in reading at the time, so it might deserve more than the 2.5 stars I wanted to give it. I found the writing a little too matter-of-fact about events without any sense that Abby was gaining any insight from her reflections. I felt that certainly as an adult I knew very little about her but did not particularly have a sense that I would like her or that she would be a good wife or mother. As a child I wavered between understanding her need to do what she could to escape and blaming her for abandoning her brother in the process. In the end, I found little that held me in this book and I felt disconnected from all the characters.(less)
I am a huge proponent of simple living and buying only what I really need. I was excited to read this book because it seemed to fit my philosophy perf...moreI am a huge proponent of simple living and buying only what I really need. I was excited to read this book because it seemed to fit my philosophy perfectly. I was only kind of right. Dave Bruno is really interested in having few possessions, but exercises it in a way I can't understand. He had this jacket that he absolutely loved. In an effort to get below 100 personal things, he got rid of it (and actually would have been able to keep it and stay under 100). Later he tried to replace it but found the replacements inadequate. I don't understand a minimalist philosophy that includes getting rid of items you use and love to meet an artificial standard of minimalism that will lead you to buy a replacement.
Also, his lack of need for a variety of clothes seems quite inapplicable to much of the country. I live in the north. I cannot only have 7 shirts and one jacket that will serve me for the entire year. But one of the strengths of Bruno's book is his openness to having everyone adapt this challenge to fit their own life.
One of my other critiques is the rambling nature of this book. It seemed like a very extended blog entry that took a long, LONG time to get to the point.
One point that I think Bruno made well though was in getting rid of his power tools. I questioned that decision initially because I figured he'd end up buying more--he used them as a productive, active hobby. But they didn't provide satisfaction for him. He did not have the time to become as proficient at creating things as he wanted and they took time away from other hobbies he would rather have been doing. I think that was a moment of growth.(less)
I learned a lot about the old traveling circuses and life with them. That was really interesting.
But the...moreI read this book in one day. It pulls you in.
I learned a lot about the old traveling circuses and life with them. That was really interesting.
But the most important thing I got from this book was the narrative from the perspective of Jacob as an old man. I have a hard time truly making myself realize that elderly people were once like me. They were young, with lives just like mine (in the important ways). When talking to elderly people, I spend my energy being sympathetic about their problems and frustrations associated with old age. I completely lose sight of the fact that they were once every bit (and probably more so) as vibrant, active, ambitious, and forward-looking as I am now.
Some day, I will have a hard time walking. I will be in danger of falling and breaking a fragile bone. I will forget little, everyday things. And young people will treat me with that combination of sympathy, reverence, lack of understanding, and fear that I feel now. They will not really understand that I was once a whole, young, unfeeble person who could walk quickly and bend over without fear of falling. And as I am an arrogant person who wants everyone to know how smart, ambitious, and important I am, that will be hard to swallow.
When I next see him, I will ask Ed, the 80-something-year-old man at my church who fixes our computers to tell me some stories about his life as a young engineer inventing some of the world's first computers. And then I will actually listen to what he says.(less)
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