The release date for the English version of 'These Precious Days: Essays' by
Ann Patchett is Nov 2021. If you enjoy this novel, it is available for buy as a paperback from Barnes & Noble or Indigo, as an ebook on the Amazon Kindle store, or as an audiobook on Audible.
In this very intimate collection of essays, the adored New York Times bestselling author considers home, family, friendships, and writing.
"Every story has an ending when it begins." As a writer, Ann Patchett is aware of the potential results of her works. However, life often takes unexpected twists. In these insightful pieces, Patchett considers this reality and offers a new, close-up view of her heart and thoughts.
The title article, which focuses on an unexpected relationship and asks "what it means to be seen, to find someone with whom you can be your best and most complete self," is the central work of These Precious Days. It is a surprising and poignant reflection. When Patchett chose an early galley of actor and producer Tom Hanks’ short story collection to read one night before bed, she had no idea that this single choice would be life changing. It would introduce her to Sooki, Tom's intelligent assistant, a fascinating lady with whom she would develop a close relationship that would have far-reaching effects on both of them.
As a literary alchemist, Patchett explores the depths of her experiences to produce works of profound emotional resonance that are both self-portrait and landscape in theme, each brimming with insight and passion. By focusing her writing on her own experiences, she turns the personal into the public, giving each of us a fresh perspective on our own environments and serving as a reminder of how ephemeral and mysterious life can be.
Patchett links life and art as she sheds light on what matters most, from the charms of Kate DiCamillo's children's books to her early recollections of Paris; the priceless gifts from her three fathers to the surprising influence of Charles Schultz's Snoopy; the broad perspective of Eudora Welty to the significance of knitting. Infused with the author’s grace, wit, and warmth, the pieces in These Precious Days resonate deep in the soul, leaving an indelible mark—and demonstrate why Ann Patchett is one of the most celebrated writers of our time.