These Precious Days

By: Ann Patchett

Narrated by: Ann Patchett

Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Bloomsbury presents These Precious Days by Ann Patchett.

An irresistible collection of essays and memoir from the internationally best-selling, Women’s Prize-winning author of The Dutch House.

'Any story that starts will also end.' As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this truth as she explores family, friendship, marriage, failure, success and what it all means.

Ranging from the personal - her portrait of the three men she called her fathers; unexpectedly falling into a life-changing friendship with Tom Hanks; how to answer when someone asks why you don’t have children - to the sublime - exploring the Harvard Museum of Natural History before its doors open; the unexpected influence of Snoopy; the importance of knitting - each essay transforms the particular into the universal, letting us all see our own worlds anew.

Illuminating, penetrating, funny and generous, These Precious Days is joyful time spent in the company of one of our greatest living authors.

©2021 Ann Patchett (P)2021 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

"Patchett leads us to a truth that feels like life rather than literature." (Guardian)

"One of my top favourite contemporary writers. I don’t think that there’s a book of hers that I haven’t put down at the end and been haunted by for weeks after." (Gillian Anderson)

"Few novelists today combine such a forensic eye with an acute and humane understanding of human nature. I would read Ann Patchett’s shopping list." (Jojo Moyes)

A wonderful follow-up to This is the Story of a Happy Marriage

At times poignant and at others joyful, this collection picks up where This is the Story of a Happy Marriage finishes, and covers beautifully the deaths of Patchett’s father figures, her decision not to have children, her love for her husband and his love for flying and so many more facets of her life leading and through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Moving , heartfelt, sublime

I loved this book . I found myself nodding and agreeing and talking back . Ann Patchett is a genius and I feel privileged to have entered her world for the duration of this audiobook .

Loved it

I love Ann Patchett and all her books. I usually don't prefer essays, but I loved this book as much as her novels!

Everything and more. So understatedly beautiful

I miss Ann Patchett already. I feel I have made such a beautiful friend and mentor in my own writing. I loved it so much.