Book Description
“These essays on a woman’s wild ride through life give us Marion’s bracing tonic–of–truth voice in splendid form—her voice that is always brilliantly funny, intelligent, brave, haunting, and full of surprises, revelations, and wise, wild connections. At this point, I don’t think I could live without it. If you don’t know her yet, your life is about to get better.” —Naomi Shihab Nye
Whether she is writing about the vagaries of family vacations on land and sea, about getting her tubes tied and the importance of a woman’s right to choose, or her battles with her rebel pyromaniac teenage son, Marion Winik is searingly honest and unfailingly witty in the face of adversity. In this collection of essays, a treat for dedicated fans and new readers alike, Winik explores domesticity, midlife, and aging.
A brand new final section brings Above Us Only Sky—originally published in 2005—up to date with essays from her award–winning column in the Baltimore Fishbowl, taking us through experiences with blended families, adult children, and empty nest.
Praise For This Book
Praise for Above Us Only Sky“NPR personality Winik mines the intertwined humor and poignancy of life's exigencies in this earthy essay collection, taking stock of moments from childhood to motherhood and reliving them with relish. By turns heartfelt and cutting, playful and contemplative, Winik's chatty narration and musings emerge as vivid brushstrokes on a crowded canvas, jottings of her thoughts at both pivotal moments and more introspective times.” —Publishers Weekly
“Intrepid NPR commentator Winik's voice is as unique as her observations and as recognizable as her experiences. By turns pithy and poignant, outraged and outrageous, Winik's latest collection of essays once again mines the rich veins of her personal life . . . and while the laughs are still there, there's also a tempered maturity that nicely balances Winik's self–deprecating, tongue–in–cheek approach. Middle age is upon her, a perfect time for reflection and prediction, appreciation and apprehension, making amends and making a difference.” —Booklist
"Marion Winik is a skilled writer and her courage is impressive. Her struggle to find meaning from her life shines from every page and her humor is infectious." —Jennifer Lauck, author of Blackbird
"These essays on a woman's wild ride through life give us Marion's bracing tonic–of–truth voice in splendid form – her voice that is always brilliantly funny, intelligent, brave, haunting, and full of surprises, revelations, and wise, wild connections. At this point, I don't think I could live without it. If you don't know her yet, your life is about to get better." —Naomi Shihab Nye, author of The Tiny Journalist
"Marion Winik has written another smart, funny, wise set of essays. Her authorial voice has been sweetened and mellowed by domestic contentment, while her observations remain as sharp and her insights as deep as ever. If you're a Winik fan already, you won't be surprised to find yourself moved, amused, and enlightened by Above Us Only Sky. If this is your introduction to her work, you have a rare treat in store." —Martha Beck, author of Diana, Herself: An Allegory of Awakening
