“Life sometimes is hard. There are challenges. There are difficulties. There is pain. As a younger man I sought to avoid them and only ever caused myself more of the same. These days I choose to face life head on—and I have become a comet. I arc across the sky of my life and the harder times are the friction that lets the worn and tired bits drop away. It’s a good way to travel; eventually I will wear away all resistance until all there is left of me is light. I can live towards that end.” Richard Wagamese
Embers is a book of meditations, published just before the author’s death in 2017. Starlight, his last novel, was published posthumously in 2018. It was unfinished, but not diminished because of it. I have also enjoyed Medicine Walk and Ragged Company by this gifted storyteller.
These are beautiful and thoughtful meditations from a beloved author who lived a challenging life. He has everyday wisdom to share about what matters most. Honest and down to earth, his reflections are a mixture of spiritual and physical, humour and wisdom, joy and pain, the mundane and the marvellous. I will be returning to these meditations. The pieces are short and simple, but carry depth and spark warmth. The struggles in his life were a teacher and Wagamese shares what he has learned.
A few words about the publication of this book: I bought the Kindle version which has been handy for travel and was easy to read a few pages everyday on my ipad. I’ve bookmarked pages to return to. But I saw a copy of the print version on someone’s coffee table which is nicely illustrated with full colour photos–not sure why the Kindle version is only words. Also, when I tried to order the print version it was unavailable in print at Indigo and would take 1-2 months to deliver on Amazon! I find that very strange because this is a book published in Canada! I did also read in reviews that the audio version is well read by Christian Baskous, who is an actor and favourite narrator of audio books.
One of my favourite books – keep it on my desk at school! Thanks Joanne.
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Haha, that was fast Tim! I just posted! 🙂 Yes, I agree, it sure is one to reread and keep handy!
I loved Embers! I have reread many passages .. such great words to savor.
That’s great to hear Evelyn! I’m getting lots of good feedback about this one! It’s a keeper for sure.
Richard Wagamese is a local treasure for those of us in Northwestern Ontario. I haven’t read Embers yet, so thank you for this review. It has spurred me to order a physical copy of the book. There are copies on the shelves at McNally Robinson, an independent bookstore in nearby Winnipeg.
https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781771621335/richard-wagamese/embers?blnBKM=1
Good plan to get it from an independent bookstore! I’m sure they have copies and it’s always so good to support independent bookstores!
My sisters gave me this book for my birthday. It gets better with every read! Especially love the “Old Woman” conversations interspersed throughout. So much practical wisdom in this book.
Thanks for your comment Margo! What a great gift! I too loved the Old Woman conversations, yes, such wisdom and good humour as well.