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These Precious Days

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These Precious Days

By: Ann Patchett
Narrated by: Ann Patchett
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About this listen

 Bloomsbury presents These Precious Days written and read by Ann Patchett.

A BARACK OBAMA TOP BOOK OF 2021

‘A heartfelt and witty collection of essays on everything from marriage and knitting to the inevitability of death’ Guardian

'A pitch-perfect collection ... She can turn a sentence like no one else: her writing is clear, honest, witty, and just full of unsentimental humanity' Nigella Lawson

‘Profound and clever and funny and wise’ Meg Mason, author of Sorrow & Bliss
______________________

An irresistible collection of essays and memoir from the internationally bestselling, Women’s Prize-winning author of The Dutch House

'Any story that starts will also end.’ As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this as she explores family, friendship, marriage, failure, success, and what it all means.

Ranging from the personal – her portrait of the three men she called her fathers; how a chance encounter with Tom Hanks led to one of the most important friendships of her life; how to answer when someone asks why you don’t have children – to the sublime – the unexpected influence of Snoopy; the importance of knitting; the pleasure to be found in children’s books – each essay transforms the particular into the universal, letting us all see our own worlds anew.

Illuminating, penetrating, funny and generous, These Precious Days is joyful time spent in the company of one of our greatest living authors.

'Patchett's essays are both sharp and humane ... like a hugely enjoyable conversation with a particularly brilliant friend' Sadie Jones©2021 Ann Patchett (P)2021 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Art & Literature Authors Essays Nonfiction Funny

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All stars
Most relevant  
Loved the stories. There was just one I didn’t like. It was about religion and Catholic priests - and it nearly made me give up listening. I’m glad I didn’t.

A beautiful beautiful book

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Absolutely loved this collection of essays. Will buy her first too. Brilliant essays, and her narration is equally good.

Beautifully read and very touching.

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recommend for short essays/stories, well read, better written, thoughtful amd thought provoking, she is a writer i have come to respect.

what a delightful listen

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Simply beautiful
Wonderful story telling.
Now feeling the loss as well as the insight into sharing of friendship.

Heartwarming

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Loved this book, I was enchanted and engaged in each story and the telling of each was compelling.. insightful and current.
now to read Ann’s fiction.. which I’m sure will be as is a good ..

Simply fabulous and exceedingly listenable..

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I loved this collection of stories and experiences from this author’s life in her own words. I think I learned a lot about how a writer’s life works and how much you have to do. I felt like thanking her for sharing her life with us, and that although I’ll never meet her, I would always think of her as a friend.

Enlightening and engrossing

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Really enjoyed Ann’s stories and insights into her writing and life. Lots of really moving moments but it also made me laugh. She also has a very pleasant reading voice - I wish she narrated more of her books. Big love for this collection.

Just lovely

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A collection of touching stories delivered with warmth and sincerity. An absolute delight of a listen.

Classic Ann Patchett

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This book is a treasure. I have listened to it as an audible book and now want to have it in hard copy. Ann shares her journey as a writer interspersed with beautiful insights into her personal life and of those she loves.

Beautiful stories from life

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Having read The Dutch House and been totally absorbed by the story and the author’s writing style, I was excited to read this latest book and expected much of the same. How wrong I was !
This book is simply wonderful and although I only finished it today, I can’t wait to start over again. Perhaps it’s because I am the same age as Ann Patchett that a lot of her life experiences, the stories and the emotions she portrayed so well , resonated with me. I laughed and I cried and devoured every last word. I listened to this on audible and loved the author’s narration but I need this as a tangible hard copy in my life. If only there were more stars to give, as I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

The best book I will read all year 02.01.22

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