The Book of Qualities [Paperback]

J. Ruth Gendler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 1988

From Beauty to Compassion, from Pleasure to Terror, from Resignation to Joy -- here is an insightful exploration of the rich diversity of human qualities. J. Ruth Gendler's evocative book has as its cast of familiar characters our own emotions, brought to life with a poet's wisdom and an artist's perceptive eye. In The Book of Qualities' magical community, Excitement wears orange socks, Faith lives in the same apartment building as Doubt, and Worry makes lists of everything that could go wrong while she is waiting for the train. In portraying the complexities of the psyche, Gendler uses the Qualities to bridge the distinctions between literature and psychology, and has created an original work that challenges us to look at our emotions in new and inspiring ways.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A bright new talent whose work is at once reminiscent of James Thurber's drawings, Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities, Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene, and Zen koans." -- Art Kliener, San Francisco Bay Guardian

"Ruth Gendler has discovered a way to give new meaning and immediacy to familiar words. Her brief meta-definitions sing, dance, and sometimes cry." -- George Leonard, author of The Silent Pulse

"The Qualities are wise and whimsical and express truth in a very personal way." -- Jean Bolen, author of Goddesses in Every Woman

About the Author

Janet Ruth Gendler wears orange socks, arranges her clothes by color in the closet, keeps the herbs in alphabetical order, and doesn't understand the separation between work and play. Gendler was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska and received B.A.'s in English and Communication from Stanford University in 1977. She has written articles on the arts, health, and education. She works in publishing and teaches intuitive art classes. Gendler currently lives in Berkeley, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (January 27, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060962526
• ISBN-13: 978-0060962524
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gendler introduces the reader to several familiar friends..., January 16, 2001

By 

J. Koscher (Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Qualities (Paperback)

Ever felt like your emotions have taken on a life of their own? Gendler in her Book of Qualities takes that feeling and bust it wide open. A friend gave me a photocopied copy to read and I ran out and bought my own copy. Gendler's ability to give each emotion (quality) their own breath is intriguing. I long to take a walk with Stillness by the ocean... and realize I have done so too little in my hectic life. So many books these days are nice little leasure empty entertaining snipets of fun. Gendler's book is one of those rare finds that will leave you longing for more and glad you took your brain out for the stretch. Enjoy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best little book ever, June 19, 2001

By 

Avid Reader "Reed ah" (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Book of Qualities (Paperback)

I truly adore this little book - I give it as a gift (bought 25 copies last year for all sorts of clients and friends), and I have read my own copy until it is as dog eared as a truly loved book can get. So lyrically draws the emotions and qualities that make us all up.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a gift of a book, August 9, 2002

By 

M. Wilson (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Book of Qualities (Paperback)

what can i say? this is one of the most inspiring, empowering, revealing books i own. it is filled with deep "ah-hah" moments and carefully chosen words and fluid description. it is not preachy or light-hearted, but rather allows each person to find a lesson for themselves by giving depth and color to the words for emotions and feelings. every time i read it, i have new revelations and each time i share it with someone new, they love it as instantly as i did. buy two copies... you'll want to give one to someone as soon as you read the first few pages.