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  • These Precious Days

  • By: Ann Patchett
  • Narrated by: Ann Patchett
  • Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (77 ratings)

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These Precious Days

By: Ann Patchett
Narrated by: Ann Patchett
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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)

What listeners say about These Precious Days

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meditations on love and the power therein

My daughter recommended this book, I probably wouldn't have been drawn to this without that recommendation. I got the audio version and loved Anne 's reading of it. so many wonderful glimpses into her life and some amazing people in her life, St Charlie, sister Anne, Eric the doctor, pilot 'can do' man, Sooki to artist, her dad the cop. fantastic reminders to be present to the present moment.

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I loved this.

I don't usually buy short stories, but I fell in love with Ann Patchett's "The Dutch House" and thought this one was worth a try.
I am enriched by these stories and am so glad I have experienced, these slices of l of Ann's journey through life.
The stories are real, the people are real and my heart and soul have been entertained, educated, filled with joy and sadness one story at a time.
I'll be reading more of her writing and recommend this book very highly.

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Life changingly beautiful

The writing, the narration - all so incredible. Such wonderful essays, with such emotion and humour.

The only wee critique I have is that I wish there was a longer gap between each - an extra second or two would have been good. However this was by no means a deal breaker.

Beautiful work. I highly recommend.

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The wonderful writing.

She made me laugh and cry. I am about to read everything she has written. I want her to be my friend.

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Loved it ! 💚

A rare non fiction read for me - beautiful, funny, moving, genuine accounts of the author’s life. I loved each one. Chose this after reading The Dutch House without realising it was a collection of essays - so glad inadvertently made this choice . Feel
Like it’s opened the way for essays & perhaps an auto- biography .

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Beautiful Stories

I recommend listening to this on audible. I laughed , I cried. The stories were beautiful and thought provoking.

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Beautiful

Heartbreakingly sad and laugh aloud funny. It makes me want to Ann as a friend. It makes me want to fly from NZ to visit her bookshop. I have purchased a hard copy as a gift for my mum. Buy it - you won’t regret it!

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To read again

Such love and deep generosity of spiritThese essays are loaded with deep love and overflowing generosity of action snd spirit. They can change lives. Thank you Ann Patchett for sharing thus with us.

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No regrets here.

I was looking for something that wouldn't bore me to death, yet be easy listening. This book was just right. thank you Ann Patchett

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Thank you Ann Patchett! Loved this!

I was interested to listen to Ann's book after hearing Tom Hanks narrate her book The Dutch House. Now I know much much more about Ann's life, her writing & her friends & family. Of particular note was her description of her father's love then his death over a LONG 4 years where she felt an emotion like joy. I get that! Thank you for sharing

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