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Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew
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Swinging on the Garden Gate: A Spiritual Memoir Paperback – January 1, 2000

3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 63 ratings
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Swinging On The Garden Gate: A Memoir of Bisexuality and Spirit, Second Edition
Swinging On The Garden Gate: A Memoir of Bisexuality and Spirit, Second Edition
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A woman's coming-of-age journey through the rugged landscape of Wales to the reflective quiet of a retreat center. Along the way she questions and explores the depth of her Methodist faith as she comes to terms with her bisexual identity.

Andrew skillfully and seamlessly weaves the threads of spirituality, sexuality and the creative process out of the compelling events of her life.  Her inspiring memoir stretches from the faith of her childhood, in which she was "taught to look for the Word in the Bible," to her revelation as an adult that "the word of God resides in each of us--it dwells among us, full of grace."
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  1. Print length
    216 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Red Wheel/Weiser
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2000
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.5 x 6.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1558964096
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1558964099
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

In Swinging on the Garden Gate Elizabeth J. Andrew, a writing instructor and spiritual director who makes her home in Minneapolis, MN, tells the story of how she awakened to her sexuality, accepted and found an embodied God in the circumstances of her life, and connected to those touched by her self-discovery. The metaphor of her life as a garden first dormant, then blooming, then finally, riotously alive works because Andrew is a writer of such extraordinary power and beauty.
-Rosemary Bray McNatt, a minister of the Unitarian Universalist Association and columnist for the UUA magazine.

"...thought provoking and informative...all bisexual young people should read this." ~Amazon reviewer

When I was exploring my sexuality/identity, your book about being Christian and bisexual was the only book in the whole wide world that I found for that voice. --Tess in New Zealand

About the Author

Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew is the author of SWINGING ON THE GARDEN GATE (Skinner House Books), WRITING THE SACRED JOURNEY:  THE ART AND PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL MEMOIR (Skinner House Books), ON THE THRESHOLD:  HOME, HARDWOOD, AND HOLINESS (Westview Press), and the novel, HANNAH, DELIVERED (Koehler Books).  She teaches creative writing at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, Madeline Island School of the Arts, and various venues in Minnesota.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Red Wheel/Weiser (January 1, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1558964096
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1558964099
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.5 x 6.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 63 ratings

About the author

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Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew

Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew

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Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew tends the spiritual lives of readers and writers. She is the author of the spiritual memoir, SWINGING ON THE GARDEN GATE; a collection of personal essays called ON THE THRESHOLD, which was a finalist for a Minnesota Book Award; the novel, HANNAH, DELIVERED; and the writing guides WRITING THE SACRED JOURNEY: THE ART AND PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL MEMOIR and LIVING REVISION: A WRITER'S CRAFT AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE. She is a two-time recipient of the Minnesota State Arts Board grant. You can find Elizabeth at www.elizabethjarrettandrew.com or www.spiritualmemoir.com.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
63 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

D. Corboy
5.0 out of 5 stars Slow but steady on life's path
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2015
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It took a little bit of reading for this story to grab me; once she got into the actual details of her life I was hooked. Everyone has their own personal "coming out" story to share. Although I can't personally relate to hers on every detail, I can relate to the curve balls that life tossed her way. We all handle these things differently, but one thing is certain, those curves life throws us play a big part in shaping our souls. Ms Andrew was very gracious to share her bared soul and living a life of truth and faith with strangers.
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Bonnie the shopper
1.0 out of 5 stars Nope
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2015
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Couldn't get in to this book. Quit while I was ahead.
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Tessi Muskrat
5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply stirring story! Strongly recommend!
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2015
Verified Purchase
In the way of the best spiritual memoirists, Elizabeth invites us into her personal spiritual journey and allows us to walk with her in her story until we discover we're also walking our own story. Honest, thoughtful, deep and stirring, Elizabeth's story speaks to the deepest part of us all--that part which desires to be known deeply and openly, and loved anyway. Her story speaks of the first part of that journey--the part where we learn to know ourselves honestly, and allow God the opportunity, through our honesty, to love us as He made us to be. Beautiful story, beautiful book. Highly recommend.
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Martha T. Fischer
4.0 out of 5 stars An Invitation to Story
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2000
Swinging on the Garden Gate, by Elizabeth Andrew is an insightful look at the author's internal spiritual journey through what seem, at first, to be extraordinary circumstances. However, they are circumstances that we all encounter--search and discovery, loss and grief, memory and reality. Through sharing her own experience of life and the sacred, Ms. Andrew invites the reader to explore and share his/her own story. Since I read this moving memoir, I have found myself thinking about my own spiritual journey and wanting to share my story with others. While the internal spiritual journey is solitary, sharing the story of our journeys is a life-giving adventure. Thank you, Elizabeth, for your gift.
17 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Speaks to the Soul
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2015
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The language of the soul is tricky to translate, and yet this memoir speaks eloquently, honestly, and with grace. I feel blessed to have read it. We are all on a journey, one that will last a lifetime, and I recommend this to any and all who would like the voice of another traveler to share her insights. This journey is both horrible and heroic, depressing and uplifting, complex and simple. Elizabeth has a remarkable story and I'm so glad she wrote it and has shared it. Thank you.
One person found this helpful
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C. Yates
3.0 out of 5 stars Swinging on the Garden Gate
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2015
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Swinging on the Garden Gate is a spiritual journey for the author. At times I felt bogged down in the reading but continued. Part of her story is her personal feeling of God not what the institutions said...she wanted to feel God personally. A big part of her story was her bisexuality mixed in with the spiritual.

My book was downloaded onto my Kindle from Amazon. I would recommend this to women who were searching on a spiritual path or coming to terms with their sexuality.
One person found this helpful
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Soubhi K
2.0 out of 5 stars I wanted to like it.
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2016
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I couldn't get into this. It just dragged for me.
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KLBRN
5.0 out of 5 stars Open heart, pour on pages
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2017
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Every now and then it's good to read something real, something raw, that is full of revelation and change. The author held my hand and said, "you can do anything, let me show you how it's done." And when I thought there couldn't possibly be more to love here, I turned the page and together we walked through another door. I adored this and can't wait to dig into her other books.
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Top reviews from other countries

Genevieve DuGas
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, insightful memoir by Elizabeth Andrew
Reviewed in Canada on June 28, 2013
Verified Purchase
I chose this book as inspiration for writing my own memoir, which may or may not be spiritual. Elizabeth Andrew shows what it's like to be bisexual in a conservative church. Her experience of a loving inclusive God is very moving and convincing. Even non-believers, heterosexuals will find her story fascinating and will come away with a deeper understanding of people who feel like The Other or the Outcast. It is a story about love.

Colleen Gillis
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