Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

Written by:
Katherine May
Narrated by:
Rebecca Lee

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
35
Narrator
7
Release Date
November 2020
Duration
6 hours 53 minutes
Summary
THE RUNAWAY NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - AS HEARD ON NPR MORNING EDITION AND ON BEING WITH KRISTA TIPPETT

“Katherine May opens up exactly what I and so many need to hear but haven't known how to name.” —Krista Tippett, On Being

“Every bit as beautiful and healing as the season itself. . . . This is truly a beautiful book.” —Elizabeth Gilbert  

'Proves that there is grace in letting go, stepping back and giving yourself time to repair in the dark...May is a clear-eyed observer and her language is steady, honest and accurate—capturing the sense, the beauty and the latent power of our resting landscapes.' —Wall Street Journal

From the bestselling author of the New York Times bestseller Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age, this is an intimate, revelatory exploration of the ways we can care for and repair ourselves when life knocks us down.

Sometimes you slip through the cracks: unforeseen circumstances like an abrupt illness, the death of a loved one, a break up, or a job loss can derail a life. These periods of dislocation can be lonely and unexpected. For May, her husband fell ill, her son stopped attending school, and her own medical issues led her to leave a demanding job. Wintering explores how she not only endured this painful time, but embraced the singular opportunities it offered.

A moving personal narrative shot through with lessons from literature, mythology, and the natural world, May's story offers instruction on the transformative power of rest and retreat. Illumination emerges from many sources: solstice celebrations and dormice hibernation, C.S. Lewis and Sylvia Plath, swimming in icy waters and sailing arctic seas.

Ultimately Wintering invites us to change how we relate to our own fallow times. May models an active acceptance of sadness and finds nourishment in deep retreat, joy in the hushed beauty of winter, and encouragement in understanding life as cyclical, not linear. A secular mystic, May forms a guiding philosophy for transforming the hardships that arise before the ushering in of a new season.
Reviews
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dancer_pants

I adored this book! Will be looking to read more from Katherine May in the future. This book is assuring, practical, inspiring, informative and beautifully descriptive. Discovering the profound magic of winter again and again from countless perspectives, including Katherine’s personal stories and struggles. I find myself referencing it often because I learned so much while reading! One of my favorite reads of 2020, highly recommend.

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Anonymous

Heartfelt and comforting. A dose of kindness for those of us who find 'wintering' difficult. Great as an audiobook with excellent narrator.

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Anonymous

Not exactly helpful. There were several stories that were not relatable. I finished it, but it was a waste of time for me.

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Ari E.

The story, the narrator. amazing.

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Anonymous

I enjoyed gleaning from the experiences and stories that Katherine told. It gave inspiration to reflection of my past and current wintering. I enjoyed listening and would read again!

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