World Enough & Time

On Creativity and Slowing Down

By: Christian McEwen

Narrated by: Christian McEwen

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

Christian McEwen's calming voice brings her widely acclaimed book World Enough and Time to audiobook lovers.

Over the course of 10 years training teachers to write their own poems in order to pass the craft along to students, McEwen realized that nothing comes easily when life is conducted at a high rate of speed. She draws not only on personal experience, but on readings ranging from literary anecdote and poetry to Buddhism, anthropology, current news, and social history, all supplemented by interviews with contemporary writers and artists. This book stands up as both sustained narrative and occasional inspiration.

McEwen espouses the pleasure to be found in slowing down, both for the ease and comfort of the thing itself (taking time to go for a walk, to write down one's dreams, to read, to talk, to pray), and for its impact on creativity. There are chapters on walking, talking, drawing, dreaming, on "making space", on pausing/praying, on telling stories. World Enough and Time is aimed at the educated general listener, could be used as a creative primer, and will be of interest to creative-writing students and artists in every genre.

©2011 Christian McEwen (P)2014 Christian McEwen

The Gift of Time

This one of the most beautiful books I've ever listened to. This book has deepened my resolve to live more simply. I found myself putting into practice the author's invitation to slow the frantic pace of life, to saunter or stroll, to savour and taste the sweetness of being, of friendship, of writing and creating. I could not recommend this book more highly. As a storyteller, I particularly appreciated Christian McEwen's reflections on taking time to share stories.

A Very Nurturing Experience

So, it took me almost a year and a half to listen to this whole book. But, it wasn't because I didn't like it. In fact, it is a lovely book and I absolutely recommend it. It is read by the author and she reads very slowly and soothingly. The experience is almost meditative. Her stories are beautiful, heart warming, spiritual, and profound. It is the perfect book to read/listen to right before bed or when you need to feel a sense of calm.

Has the opposite than desired effect

Wow. I hated this book. I picked it up because of my interest in creating more quiet space in my life for creativity. Pretty sure I already knew that as a culture, we have had our quiet time, time in nature, and leisure time erode. Unfortunately, as far as I made it (chapter 5), this book was primarily focused on lecturing, quoting references, and droning on about all the changes in that regard and their negative consequences, with very little attention to what to do in your own life. Depressing.

Slow and nonsensical

1/4 of the way in I can was thinking how nonsensical this book was. The reader is reading this book so slowly the entire experience, the content, the reading is just awful

nourishing

I find myself unable to summarize my thoughts surrounding the experience of this audiobook. I appreciate it for every word and pause. The end credits were as deeply rewarding to listen to as the conclusion to any of the great books I’ve read. This has become an instant classic for me and most certainly a reference guide for future readings.