Encore: A Journal of the Eightieth Year [Paperback]

May Sarton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 17, 1995

In this affirmative journal, May Sarton describes both hardships and joys in the daily round of her life in old age—physical struggles counterbalanced by the satisfactions of friendship, nature, critical recognition, and creative spark.

Sarton writes perceptively of how age affects her: the way small things take longer and tire more, what it feels like to endure pain and to be afraid. Other days her energy returns, her spirits lift, and projects abound. Readers both new and old will cherish this latest dispatch from her ongoing journey.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Writer Sarton reflects on the physical pain and psychological fears involved in growing old while cherishing the things in life (friends, nature and creativity) that keep her going.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

As Gloria Steinem might say, this is what 80 looks like: a pale paean to flowers, food, and friends. Sarton's novel As We Are Now (1973)--a brilliant and moving fictional journal of life (and death) in a nursing home--makes this memoir pallid by comparison, and the problems of inconsequential, lackluster writing that appeared in Sarton's earlier journals of infirmity and old age (Endgame, 1992, etc.) crop up here as well. The life cycle of the flowers on the author's Maine estate are documented in detail; lunches, dinners, and flower arrangements provided by friends and ``fans'' are described exquisitely; pain (apparently caused by intestinal blockage), medication, and visits to the holistic doctor who monitors the author's diet are carefully depicted. Sarton's joy in her cat, her many visitors (especially friend Susan, who frequently comes bearing roses but who isn't otherwise identified), and her fan mail is matched by the burden she feels in answering letters, letting in her cat at 1:00 a.m. (and sometimes again at 4:00 a.m.), and checking the weather. But the last handful of entries here reminds us of Sarton the well- regarded novelist and poet. In them, apparently in response to improving health, she switches from dictating into a tape recorder to writing the day's events, and from simple sentences in which ``wonderful'' is the adjective du jour to a richer, more thoughtful prose style. This is her last journal, Sarton says; her next project will be a novella based on a recent trip to England. Sarton's energy and focus are inspiring--but readers looking for analysis or fresh literary gossip won't find them here. (Photographs--not seen) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (July 17, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393313174
• ISBN-13: 978-0393313178
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

May Sarton is the pen name of Eleanore Marie Sarton (May 3, 1912 - July 16, 1995), an American poet, novelist, and memoirist. Her parents were science historian George Sarton and his wife, the English artist Mabel Eleanor Elwes. In 1915, her family moved to Boston, Massachusetts. She went to school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and started theatre lessons in her late teens. In 1945 she met her partner for the next thirteen years, Judy Matlack, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They separated in 1956, when Sarton's father died and Sarton moved to Nelson, New Hampshire. Honey in the Hive (1988) is about their relationship. Sarton later moved to York, Maine. She died of breast cancer on July 16, 1995. She is buried in Nelson, New Hampshire.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 1993 Masterpiece Needs A Review?!, March 3, 2006

By 

Katherine Graham "Katherine Graham" (Sparta, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encore: A Journal of the Eightieth Year (Hardcover)

All right. I accept it. There is certainly something terribly wrong with me. First, I am of the opinion that the late, great May Sarton will stand as one of the most important authors of the journal genre in the 20th century. Second, her publisher W.W. Norton & Co. has a stunning record of supporting some of the grandest and most spectacular works of literature and poetry world-wide. Third, here we are in 2006, and May wrote this truly one-of-her-best journals in 1993 and the book is in need of a review. Well, that's okay. Thank you Amazon.com for giving me this opportunity and I highly recommend ALL of May Sarton's journals at the very least. Then, I would recommend ALL of her novels as well. She is very much missed by so many....

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encore: a Journal of the 80th year, July 11, 2010

By 

Linda M. Dancker - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Encore: A Journal of the Eightieth Year (Paperback)

Good book from what I have been told, but I didn't buy it for myself. Arrived before expected in excellent condition. Packaged well. I would recommend the seller.