This Is the Story of
a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
HarperCollins, 11/5/2013
Hardcover, 320 pages
ISBN-13: 9780062236678
annpatchett.com
Description:
The New York Times bestselling author of State of Wonder,
Run, and Bel Canto creates a resonant
portrait of a life in this collection of writings on love,
friendship, work, and art. "The tricky thing
about being a writer, or about being any kind of artist,
is that in addition to making art you also have to make a
living."
So begins This Is
the Story of a Happy Marriage, an examination of the
things Ann Patchett is fully committed to—the art and
craft of writing, the depths of friendship, an elderly
dog, and one spectacular nun. Writing nonfiction, which
started off as a means of keeping her insufficiently
lucrative fiction afloat, evolved over time to be its own
kind of art, the art of telling the truth as opposed to
the art of making things up. Bringing her narrative gifts
to bear on her own life, Patchett uses insight and
compassion to turn very personal experiences into stories
that will resonate with every reader.
These essays twine to
create both a portrait of life and a philosophy of life.
Obstacles that at first appear insurmountable—scaling a
six-foot wall in order to join the Los Angeles Police
Department, opening an independent bookstore, and sitting
down to write a novel—are eventually mastered with quiet
tenacity and a sheer force of will. The actual happy
marriage, which was the one thing she felt she wasn't
capable of, ultimately proves to be a metaphor as well as
a fact: Patchett has devoted her life to the people and
ideals she loves the most.
An irresistible blend
of literature and memoir, This Is the Story of a Happy
Marriage is a unique examination of the heart, mind,
and soul of one of our most revered and gifted writers.
My Thoughts:
This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage is a
collection of 23 essays (including the introduction)
written by Ann Patchett between 1996 and 2012. The stories
not only showcase some of the nonfiction she has written,
but they serve as a genuine introduction to the person of
Ann Patchett. It is a well-known fact that Patchett is an
excellent writer. How she approached this pinnacle of
success is well documented in the introduction and the
subsequent essays bear the truth/fruit of her efforts.
Some of these essays originally appeared in some form in various magazines: Atlantic Monthly, Audible, Gourmet, Granta, Harper's, New York Times, Vogue, and the Washington Post Magazine. Others were written for a venue with this collection also in mind.
Actually, I'm hard pressed to pick favorites from her
essays since I found strong points in each one. They all
deal with commitments, whether it is to a spouse or a dog
or a grandmother or a state or a vocation or an idea. But
what all of these essays excel at is tutoring
and illustrating how it should be done for would-be-writers.
All of these essays are just as compelling as any short
story and prove the point that a good writer can write
about the ordinariness of everyday life, like caring for a
loved one, and make it interesting, honest, and poetic.
All of these essays have something to say. The writing is
outstanding... simply superlative. Patchett is able to accurately
describe scenes and people in such an extraordinary way that you will
feel a connection to the writing. While this is a collection of essays,
in many ways it also functions as a memoir, an incredibly literary and
beautifully rendered memoir with insightful vignettes and heart-felt
disclosures.
Fans of Patchett's fiction should do themselves a favor
and purchase this collection asap.
To Patchett I just want to say: Thank you for giving me a
small glimpse of some of the things composting in your
humus. The brief scenes and insight you chose to share
have widened my perspective of your work and given me an
even greater appreciation of your talent.
Very Highly Recommended
Excerpt
YouTube
Contents:
Nonfiction, an Introduction explains the fact that a writer has to
earn a living too. It covers how Patchett not only paid her dues as
a freelance nonfiction writer, but also how this helped her become a better writer.
How to Read a Christmas Story is a recollection of
various Christmas memories and her first happy Christmas.
The Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir about Writing and
Life - is another great essay for those who want to be
writers. Two thoughts to share:
"I am a compost heap, and everything I interact with,
every experience I've had, gets shoveled onto the heap
where it eventually mulches down, is digested and excreted
by worms, and rots. It's from that dark, rich humus, the
combination of what you encountered, what you know and
what you've forgotten, that ideas start to grow." (pg 41)
"I believe in keeping several plots going at once. The
plot of a novel should be like walking down a busy city
street.... All manner of action and movement is rushing
toward you and away. But that isn't enough.... Many
writers feel that plot is passe' - they're so over plot,
who needs plot? - to which I say: Learn how to construct
one first, and then feel free to reject it." (pg. 48)
The Sacrament of Divorce is about her very short, first
marriage. "Honey, I know. Things happen that you never
thought were possible." (pg. 65)
The Paris Match is about a trip to Paris and a word
game.
This Dog's Life is the story of how she found her dog,
Rose.
In The Best Seat in the House she explains how she
satisfies her love of opera.
My Road to Hell Was Paved is about renting a Winnebago to
explore RVing in the American West for an article.
In Tennessee she reflects on some of her experiences
living in the state.
On Responsibility is about caring for her dog and her
grandmother.
The Wall is about the time Patchettt went through the
written and physical tests to try out for the police
academy in Los Angeles.
Fact vs. Fiction is the Miami University of Ohio
Convocation Address of 2005.
In My Life in Sales Patchett reflects on going out on
book tours to sell her novels.
"The Love Between the Two Women Is Not Normal" discusses
a protest at Clemson University over Patchett's nonfiction
book Truth and Beauty, a memoir about her
friendship with writer Lucy Grealy.
The Right to Read is the Clemson Freshman Convocation
Address of 2006.
Do Not Disturb discusses Pachett checking into the Hotel
Bel-Air for some peace and quiet in order to get some work
done.
Introduction to The Best American Short Stories 2006
(self-explanatory)
Love Sustained is a moving tribute to her grandmother.
The Bookstore Strikes Back explains how Patchett came to
be co-owner of an independent bookstore in Nashville,
Parnassus Books.
This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage is the story of her
family history of failed marriages in comparison to her
now successful relationship.
In Our Deluge, Drop by Drop, Patchett reflects on
flooding.
In Dog without End she is faced with her faithful
companion Rose's decline in health.
In The Mercies Patchett helps Sister Nena, a Sister of
Mercy and former teacher, move into an apartment by
herself for the first time at age 78.
Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of
this book from HarperCollins for review purposes.