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A Walk on the Beach: Tales of Wisdom from an Unconventional Woman Audiobook
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(4.26) - 54 listener ratings
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Shortly after arriving on Cape Cod to spend a year by herself, Joan Anderson’s chance encounter with a wise, playful, and astonishing woman helped her usher in the transformations and 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 one 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 and 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 and ultimately 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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"First read "A Year by the Sea" and "An Unfinished Marriage" as this is a continuation. While Anderson is living on Cape Cod, she meets Joan Erikson while walking on the beach. Erikson is the wife of psychoanalyst Erik Erikson and a remarkable and insightful woman. At the time Erik Erikson is in poor health and facing death, while Anderson is away from her husband trying to figure out what she wants out of life and her marriage. The friendship of the two Joan's is a special one and the insights they share are remarkable."
— Karen (5 out of 5 stars)
A Walk on the Beach Listener Reviews
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" The 2nd great book by Joan Anderson. In the first book we meet a character named Joan Erickson, wife of famous psychologist Eric Erickson, and immediately fall in love with this elderly free spirit. Her wisdom, light hearted nature and love of dancing will have you waltzing quickly through to the end of the book. If you have ever longed for or have been one of the lucky ones to encounter true friendship, then you have to read this book. "
— Melissa, 2/15/2014 -
" It was near the end where I found my favorite bits of wisdom. The author's friendship with Joan Erickson, then 93 years old yielded some priceless quotes: "As long as we are alive, we must keep transforming ourselves" & "It's rather curious, but no matter how old we are, we're always troubled by inexperience-always searching for direction" & "The consistent care necessary to keep the body machinery functioning in spite of age and deterioration is mandatory. A lifetime of training is required. It's so easy to blame....but where the body is concerned there is no time for self-pity" "
— Julie, 2/14/2014 -
" A great impetus for women to explore new options for themselves. "
— Ellen, 1/30/2014 -
" Excellent read!!! Gives great insights into how to live life with an open attitude. "
— Liz, 1/22/2014 -
" Liked this book the best of her series. Probably because I could relate to her stage of life and trying to get her balance back. "
— Julia, 1/22/2014 -
" This one is full of wisdom and is a quick read. I read her books as I was going through some major life changes myself. My outcomes were and are a bit different, but the insights are no less valuable. A helpful insightful book. "
— Peggy, 1/20/2014 -
" Great book, especially for women!! Wisdom from a reflective woman who wants to know more about herself and the roles she has played all her life. She gets awesome advice and encouragement from Joan Erikson, wife of the famous Erik Erikson, "
— Louise, 1/9/2014 -
" LIving an unconventional life is almost necessary to living a full life. Really liked it. It is a book about the woman married to Erik Erikson that lived her own life in a beautiful way. "
— Jean, 1/6/2014 -
" Wonderful read for someone seeking spirit renewal... "
— Lynn, 1/1/2014 -
" I enjoyed this, but not quite as much as Ms. Anderson's first two books in the series. The friendship between the two women was interesting, but didn't have the same intimacy with the reader that the others had. "
— Barbara, 12/21/2013 -
" Feel good chicklit. Focuses on middle age and growing older as a woman. Very captivating. "
— Susan, 12/18/2013 -
" This is a good one for us "mature" (older) women and all women. "
— Sandra, 12/14/2013 -
" This is a great story for any women struggling to find some sort of meaning in her life. I found it refreshing. "
— Becky, 12/12/2013 -
" Another self-serving memoir. Why do I bother? "
— Deb, 11/18/2013 -
" To make time for myself - to dance, laugh and sing! "
— Cheryl, 11/16/2013 -
" I read this book the week I turned 70. It helped me to realize that age is just a number and that I need to look forward, not back and enjoy life. "
— Pat, 8/26/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this one. There are so many points the Author brings out,lots of wisdom from her close friendship with Joan Erikson. I felt connected and could not put this book down. "
— Revital, 8/5/2013 -
" Being a person who finds walks on the beach to be very healing, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of self-discovery and the incredible bond of womanly friendships. "
— Mom, 4/28/2013 -
" About friendship & sharing what you know. "
— Jill, 3/27/2013 -
" Probably the very best of Joan Anderson's books. Wonderful insights thanks to the wisdom of her friend Joan Erikson. "
— Helen, 3/10/2013 -
" This is a heartwarming story of friendship. I cried at the end of this book; loved Joan Erikson. She must have been a fantastic person. "
— Mary, 2/14/2013 -
" Great book for self exploration for women "
— Georgia, 12/26/2012 -
" Interesting book. A memoir about a woman finding her true self. "
— Margie, 11/16/2012 -
" third in a series of Joan Andersen's life. READ: A Year by the Sea; then, An Unfinished Marriage; then A Walk on the Beach. "
— n, 11/4/2012 -
" Joan Anderson's memoir of her extraordinary friendship with Joan Erikson. Joan Erikson was the wife of Erik Erikson, pioneering psychoanalyst. "
— Kristy, 8/5/2012 -
" Get this and read it ASAP. "
— Beth, 8/3/2012
About Joan Anderson
Joan Anderson is a journalist and the bestselling author of A Year by the Sea, An Unfinished Marriage, A Walk on the Beach, and A Weekend to Change Your Life. She lives with her husband on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and conducts weekend workshops for women around the country.
About Laural Merlington
Laural Merlington is an audiobook narrator with over two hundred titles to her credit and a winner of multiple Earphones Awards. An Audie Award nominee, she has also directed over one hundred audiobooks. She has performed and directed for thirty years in theaters throughout the country. In addition to her extensive theater and voice-over work, she teaches college in her home state of Michigan.