The Old Moon in Her Arms: Women I Have Known and Been

by Lorri Neilsen Glenn

How does a woman compose a life? The Old Moon in Her Arms is a hybrid book of fragments, pivotal moments and images in the phases of a woman’s life, turning points rendered in Lorri Neilsen Glenn’s lyrical prose.
Like the shifting images in a kaleidoscope, these glimpses into the life of an ordinary woman lay bare the ways family, landscape, loss, and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge have forced the author in her later years to examine what really matters. Here, readers bear witness to the making of a daughter, a student, a wife, a friend, a teacher, a mother, a feminist, an award-winning scholar and writer. Neilsen Glenn’s artistry weaves personal history, philosophy, pop culture, and contemporary thought to examine moments and people who’ve inhabited her life. “Over time and circumstance,” she says, “haven’t we all been various?”
Guiding her exploration are the Cree concept of wahkohtowin, the kinship in all of creation, and the elliptical path of the moon.
This hybrid collection of singular moments celebrates connection, wonder, and endless curiosity.

272 pages, Paperback

Published April 9, 2024

About the author

Born and raised in Winnipeg, MB, Lorri Neilsen Glenn has lived in Halifax, NS since 1983. In addition to her work as a poet, Glenn is also an ethnographer and essayist. Glenn has studied at the Universities of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Harvard.

Her first collection of poetry, all the perfect disguises (Broken Jaw Press), was published in 2003. 2007 saw the publication of both a chapbook, Saved String (Rubicon Press), and a second collection, Combustion (Brick Books). In 2010, Glenn published her third full collection, Lost Gospels, also through Brick Books. In 2011, Hagios Press published Threading the Light: Explorations in Loss and Poetry. Most recently, Glenn was the editor for Untyping the Apron: Daughters Remember Mothers of the 1950s (2013, Guernica).

Glenn has won or been shortlisted for numerous awards for her poetry throughout her career, including the National Magazine Awards, Short Grain Contest, CBC Literary Awards, and the Bliss Carman Poetry Awards. She has also received recognition for her scholarship, having won awards in Grain, Event Magazine, and Prairie Fire.

From 2005-2009, Glenn served as poet laureate for the Regional Municipality of Halifax. She currently teaches at Mount Saint Vincent University.

Reviews

[Anushka Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

One of my favourite memoirs I’ve read so far. The stories made me laugh, made me cry, made me reflect. They were so deeply moving. Even though this is someone else’s story, it felt personal and like it belongs in part, to all of us women. Her descriptions of Nova Scotia and of Canadian landscape in general are so beautiful. I want to purchase this book so I can highlight the quotes that linger in my brain!

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was introduced to Lorri Neilsen Glenn’s writing in a Women’s Memoir grad class, where we read Following the River (so crazy good!). That’s why I pre-ordered The Old Moon in Her Arms the moment I heard about it, and I was not disappointed. The vignettes she weaves are absolutely riveting. She slowly draws you in, and then once you’re invested, hits you with some pretty heavy emotions. I particularly was drawn to the section called “Grace House”, which deals with her mother’s death. It moved me to tears (in my physiotherapist’s waiting room!). So, maybe don’t read that part in public. I also appreciated that she wasn’t afraid to deal with her own aging in the book. It’s not something that I’ve seen a lot of in the books I read, and I found her approach refreshing and thought provoking. I also noted that Neilsen Glenn didn’t start writing until she was in her 50s, which gives me hope and encouragement that I, too, will pick up the pen (or the laptop) again. Highly recommend! 5 stars.

[N.L. Blandford · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!! This book is amazing! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A poignant peak into @awordisashore lifetime of memories with delicious tidbits you want to chew on as it pertains to your own life. ❤️

Truthfully, if it wasn't for @nimbuspub ReadTreat this past weekend, I may not have had my eyes opened to this beautiful prose.

I devoured the book in 2 days; however have years of reflection ahead of me with all of the words I've tabbed to return to ❤️.

New fan for life here😃

[Heather Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best memoirs I have ever read. I love how the author referred to herself differently depending on her age and stage of life. The way the story bounced between these different narrators was a unique choice that worked. It reflected the idea that we all change as move through the different stages of our lives. Some of the stories made me laugh and some brought tears to my eyes, often in the chapter. I could relate to so many of the situations the author found herself in and yet it seemed deeply personal. The descriptions of the beaches of Nova Scotia and the wide open spaces of Western Canada were so vivid I could visualize the settings like I was watching a movie. I read this book over a month ago and I still find myself thinking about it. Bravo.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this in the local section of a cute little bookstore and picked it up even though it’s a lot different from what I would normally read (also really needed to mix it up with a non fiction after a lot of romantasy this year.) This book was super touching, made me want to give my mom + grandmothers + friends + myself a big hug, made me want to know more about where I come from, and reminded me that life doesn’t end up when u finish uni and that 23 is really just the beginning.

[Michael]

My interview with Neilsen Glenn discussing the book here:
https://umfm.com/programming/broadcas...

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous, rich book, and often funny, book. It's a deceptively easy read, but deep truths-- mined from a thoughtful life--lurk beneath the surface of Neilsen Glenn's approachable prose. An example of one of the many passages that resonated with my first-born soul is: "Shoulds were etched in my psyche; my worst fear was to be rejected. I was my parents' first-born child, the promise of the future, loved unless, until, and except when." I will be revisiting this book soon.

[Sarah Butland · Rating 5 out of 5]

On these pages is a woman, a story, and a friend. This book contains much more than I expected and will forever change who I am, how I see people and how I write.

Broken into separate essays, this profound look at poetry, passion and purpose is powerful and addictive. Like being taught by a friendly professor who then invites you to drink coffee then join her on the beach, this is a story all women of any life stage can heal through.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most magnificent book I have ever read and I read a lot of books. It is beautifully written. But more than that it takes the reader into places and eras that made up Lorri’s life. I loved this book.

[Sheila Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Neilsen Glenn's powerful, lyrical prose. Her short pieces are sometimes more story, sometimes more essay or reflection. Humourous, wise, full of perspective. I couldn't put it down.