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Book Reviews of Gift from the Sea

Gift from the Sea
Gift from the Sea
Author: Anne Morrow Lindbergh
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ISBN-13: 9780679406839
ISBN-10: 0679406832
Publication Date: 10/8/1991
Pages: 144
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 39

3.7 stars, based on 39 ratings
Publisher: Pantheon
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

37 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

dazeerae avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 55 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Gift from the Sea is a beautiful story about the author's summer of solitude on the shore. She uses the different shells she finds to represent the different stages of a woman's life. While living alone in a beach shack, she learns to appreciate living simply, finding joy in the mundane while reflecting on the richness of life.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Anne Morrow Lindbergh's sensitive study of family relationships through the lessons of nature. A timeless classic.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 431 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A classic that never goes out of style.
DameEdna avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 149 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Amazon.com
I found a 1955 printing of this book in an old waterfront cabin and was struck by the care with which the previous owner had read it. Eve (the name inscribed inside the front cover and then again above the heading for chapter 3) made pencil marks on nearly every paragraph of the book, underlining a phrase, highlighting many passages with strong vertical marks, scratching out some words that she seems to have found superfluous and even x-ing out whole sections that apparently missed their mark with her altogether. Two rusting paper clips isolate several pages, absent any marking at all. Anne Morrow Lindbergh's lyrical words are still relevant and presage so many of the themes of today's most popular books: simplicity, peaceful solitude, caring for the soul, a woman finding her place in society and life. I heard that the woman who had lived in the cabin had actually passed away some time before. Thank you, Eve, for your gift... from the sea.

Book Description
modern-day classic. "Gift from the Sea is like a shell itself in its small and perfect form . . . It tells of light and life and love and the security that lies at the heart."--New York Times Book Review.
Robin1 avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting and true writing of Anne Morrow Lindbergh from a summer she spent alone at the ocean. Some of it sad, some enlightening. I liked it. Quick read.
calevanik avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
We read this book in my book club, but I have found that many points in my life since have brought it back to my night stand. I have notes and highlights and pages tabbed. Each time I read it I discover more of what she talking about. Every mother/wife should have to read this book. It tells so much about the inner soul and what we're looking for at a particular moment. Life does not offer us all the opportunity to get away and think, but this book will take you on a mini retreat each time you pick it up. It's a quick read that is so packed with wisdom and insight...it is frequently my go to when I am faced with a life altering decision or situation. It brings me peace.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 334 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Absolutely stunning prose.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 46 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Author reflects on "the profound need in women for self-realization; the need for each woman . . .to learn and relearn the painful lesson that 'woman must come of age by herself - she must fine her true center alone.'"
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Inspiring
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book. An easy read and a beautiful journal of a woman's solitary thoughts on life, love and family, inner peace and acceptance during her escape to an oceanside beach house. Her reflections by the sea.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 57 more book reviews
Beautiful story by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Inspirational.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 391 more book reviews
If you love walking along the seashore gathering up seashells. If you enjoy sitting quietly with interesting and unique thoughts being shared with you, you will appreciate Gift from the Sea. I read this book at least once a year -- the pages are covered with yellow marker and red circles.

Relationships are a challenge to live and understand. This book offers rich insights. It is not a book to speed read, but to open, read a few lines and then let them wander your mind for a while. "A good relationship has the pattern like a dance and is built on some of the same rules."
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 1436 more book reviews
An most inspiring book for quiet reading and perusing.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 26 more book reviews
AML speaks eloquently of the need for solitude.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 43 more book reviews
Thought provoking! Provides one with good fodder for the mind or, as they say, grist for the mill. Women can find themselves in this book.
emeraldfire avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on
In this memoir, Anne Morrow reflects on the lives of Americans, particularly the lives of American women, in the mid-twentieth-century. She shares her meditations on youth and age; love and marriage; peace, solitude and contentment with life using the beach, the sea and the descriptions of several seashells that she discovered washed up on the sand as a backdrop. Written during a two-week vacation to Florida's Captiva Island in the early 1950s, Anne seeks to answer life's deeper questions and find inner tranquility.

I actually tried to read this book for the first time sometime in 2003 or so, but was only able to finish the first chapter, I think. I had set the book aside because it was just not catching my attention at the time. Anyway, I was looking to read something short after finishing Quinn by Iris Johansen and decided to give Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh a second chance.

While I am certainly glad that I eventually read this book, I found it to be slightly abstract and I ended up not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. This book was one that I acquired from a library book sale that Mareena and I went to on September 11, 2001, and was one of several books that I found stashed in my closet last night. I give Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh a B+!
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 25 more book reviews
Lovely and wise. I related so strongly to her thoughts on motherhood and her struggle for independence despite the extraordinary demands of caring for children and a home.
eadieburke avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 1610 more book reviews
Listened to the audio this afternoon after @Butterflyamore and her husband, Josh, made a You-Tube video and mentioned this book as one of Josh's favorite books. It is a very short book (143 Pgs) with lots of wisdom from Charles Lindbergh's wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I enjoyed it very much and even though it was written in 1955 the messages are relevant even today. As it was a 2 hour 24 minutes audiobook, I would highly recommended to all!
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 10 more book reviews
Very good read. I've read this twice so far and purchased a new copy to share with a friend. Thought provoking and insightful writings that reflected my own internal dialogue and struggles. If you know about the authors private life, it's even more humbling and inspiring.
jdyinva avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 408 more book reviews
A book that stays with you forever. Thought-provoking, easy to read. Wonderful!
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 3 more book reviews
Anne Morrow Lindbergh has a perception of the stages of a woman's life that transcends decades into women's lives thoughout this century. I feel every woman can identify with her as she eloquently compares the sea shells with the stages of a woman's life. I find it hard to describe the empowerment I feel after I have given much of my power over to the challenges of life. It is renewing.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 3 more book reviews
Thoughtfully written. A wonderful escape while reading and a good guide to life's lessons.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 2 more book reviews
A beautifully written book from many years ago that contains some wonderfully timeless messages for women. A quick read with bits of perhaps old-fashioned wisdom that can still offer help in today's society with all its many stresses and demands.
sushicat777 avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 12 more book reviews
I love this book! It is definitely a favorite!! I will read it every year. Timeless references and insight to the life of women. It comforted me to know that she struggled with the same things I struggle with daily. I recommend it to any woman who is searching for the meaning in her life.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 134 more book reviews
Each woman must learn and relearn the painful lesson that 'woman must come of age by herself-she must find her true center alone.'
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 182 more book reviews
This is a sweet little book. I wasn't in the right frame of mind when I read it, so it didn't speak to my soul like it probably would have had I been geared up and expecting it. I like to jump into books without expectations, and later reread it when the mood strikes me. I'm sure I'll reread this one.
katknit avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 355 more book reviews
Anne Morrow Lindbergh's classic, poetic meditations on being a woman.
suzsees avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 14 more book reviews
When I was in grade school, I found this book on my mom's nightstand and though I didn't completely understand everything the author was writing about, I loved the beautiful way she said it.

As an adult I have rediscovered the gift of this book: how women can and should value the depth of their lives in the midst of family commitments. She inspires me toward self-care.

Highly recommend this book for all women. I'm keeping the one I ordered through PBS.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 3558 more book reviews
Mrs Lindbergh makes a most interesting analogy of the sea and types of seashells to the stages of human life.
Beautiful gift book.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 246 more book reviews
Twentieth Anniversary Edition. Simple wisdom spoken to thousands of readers.
Yindoll avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It became my "go to" for gift-giving to lady friends, especially those approaching middle age or older. I wrap the book with a seashell. :)
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 8 more book reviews
Inspirational.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 6 more book reviews
Good book!
reviewed Gift from the Sea on
yes, must read. I bought copies for all my close girlfriends. Wonderful
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 5 more book reviews
Inspirational. Many life lessons here.
reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 21 more book reviews
Liked - didn't love.
cathyjean avatar reviewed Gift from the Sea on + 18 more book reviews
Didn't read - just used to decorate a room