Hearts That We Broke Long Ago

Rating:
Summary: Deep as any ocean
Review: I can't say enough about this genre defying little masterpiece. It was originally marketed as a self help book but it has so little in common with the vast majority of those books especially the "this will fix you" variety that top the bestsellers lists.
At the heart of the writing is the author herself, who sadly died in '89 at the age of 53. She's equal parts, poet, philosopher, psychiatrist and yet so much more than all of that. Most importantly she feels like the wise friend you wish you could talk to in your darkest hour. She quotes liberally from mostly obscure sources, but such gems, many of which have become part of my vocabulary. Then there's her observations and insights which are so beautiful and profound to me, especially because her wisdom and eloquence are so tempered with humility.

There are some wonderful revelations in this book but much more importantly there are even more illuminating questions, which is what's missing in so many of the "one size fits all" answers to your problems fare that crowds the bookshelfs.
Everybody wants answers but ultimately what they really want is a different answer than the one that's right in front of them. As the wonderful Proust quote she uses in the book goes- The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.

Rating:
Summary: Deep as any ocean
Review: I can't say enough about this genre defying little masterpiece. It was originally marketed as a self help book but it has so little in common with the vast majority of those books especially the "this will fix you" variety that top the bestsellers lists.
At the heart of the writing is the author herself, who sadly died in '89 at the age of 53. She's equal parts, poet, philosopher, psychiatrist and yet so much more than all of that. Most importantly she feels like the wise friend you wish you could talk to in your darkest hour. She quotes liberally from mostly obscure sources, but such gems, many of which have become part of my vocabulary. Then there's her observations and insights which are so beautiful and profound to me, especially because her wisdom and eloquence are so tempered with humility.

There are some wonderful revelations in this book but much more importantly there are even more illuminating questions, which is what's missing in so many of the "one size fits all" answers to your problems fare that crowds the bookshelfs.
Everybody wants answers but ultimately what they really want is a different answer than the one that's right in front of them. As the wonderful Proust quote she uses in the book goes- The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.

Rating:
Summary: Some authors are more perfect than others
Review: I found this book 10 years ago, on a bargin rack. What a find! It has helped shape the person I am today. The words are such an inspiration, I use quotes from it, and even have a tattoo of a symbol used at the front of each chapter. The tatto reminds me of the changes I have made, and of the message the book emulates. Everyone who reads this book, and lets it into their heart, will become a happier person!

Rating:
Summary: Hearts that we broke long ago
Review: It is nothing less than a crime that this book and that all of Merle Shains books are out of print. She possessed one of the most profound and insightful worldviews of any writer I've read. This book has literally been a beacon of hope and comfort during some of my most difficult times and the lessons learned have reverberated through the many intervening years since I first discovered her books. Amidst the flood of derivative self help books on the market Merle Shain's voice and incredible spirit are sorely missed.

Rating:
Summary: Some authors are more perfect than others
Review: Like the first reviewer I found this book on a bargain rack
in NYC. I am astounded that it is out of print. Shain's
comments resonated so strongly for me at that time it
was a breakthrough in my therapy. If you are literate
and sensitive you will respond to her little stories/proverbs.
The title is from Auden....."hearts that we broke long ago
have long been breaking others"....powerful and true

Rating:
Summary: Simple-minded pop psych
Review: Pat, simple-minded psychological "explanations" of adult behavior carried over from childhood. Some of the stories and quotes are interesting, some of the quotes even valuable, but NONE of the explanations or comments are either interesting or valuable. I quit reading after page 46. Unimportant book, unfortunately. Perhaps even smug. Highlight: Quote from O'Neill on p. 34-35.

Rating:
Summary: Simple-minded pop psych
Review: Pat, simple-minded psychological "explanations" of adult behavior carried over from childhood. Some of the stories and quotes are interesting, some of the quotes even valuable, but NONE of the explanations or comments are either interesting or valuable. I quit reading after page 46. Unimportant book, unfortunately. Perhaps even smug. Highlight: Quote from O'Neill on p. 34-35.

Rating:
Summary: MERLE SHAINS BOOKS ARE EXCELLENT
Review: Why are all of Merle Shain's books out of print? Her prose is so wonderfully poetic. I can completely ignore the message and still enjoy reading them.