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Gift from the Sea  By  cover art

Gift from the Sea

By: Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Narrated by: Claudette Colbert
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Publisher's summary

Over a quarter of a century after its first publication, the great and simple wisdom in this book continues to influence women's lives.

©1955, 1975, 1983, 2003 Anne Morrow Lindbergh; 2005 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"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

What listeners say about Gift from the Sea

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A Treasure

I do not normally re-read books. But this is one I keep coming back to. As a wise friend told me - "It's a book someone gives you in your 30s, but you understand it in your 40s."

Oh, Anne - you continue to have such wonderful lessons for women as we go through different phases of our lives.

Claudette Colbert's voice was perfect for these gifts of reflection. Definitely a treasure.

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11 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Timeless Advise for Women (and everyone else)

Anne Lindbergh (the aviator's wife) collected her thoughts on life lessons/behaviors/needs while sitting on a beach in Florida. While her published work is aimed at women, her advise is sound for everyone. Live the simple life. Seek quiet moments for yourself in meditation. Interact intimately with others. Be unified in your marriage. Expand the neglected sides of self - heart, mind, and spirit. Seek to become whole.

The narration is not dry. Ms. Colbert reads and enunciates as if she was the author which brings the right amount of passion into the audiobook.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Disapointing

The Publisher's Summary and a recommendation from a friend is the reason I downloaded this book. I like these type of self-help books. The narrator was good but that is the only positive thing I can say about this listen. The author wrote as if addressing ignorant, child-like readers. The serene tone droned on and on and whatever point she made, she overly explained. I had no patience for it and gave it up midway. I would not recommend the purchase of this book.

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8 people found this helpful

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  • Lk
  • 09-27-19

the narrator is killing me. so monotone!

I really want to finish this but I cannot she is making me sleepy no joy

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7 people found this helpful

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Didn't Speak to Me

I read this as a book club selection. It isn't one I would have chosen on my own, and to be honest, I didn't enjoy it. I found it a bit dull, and a lot dated. This is not to say that the information Lindbergh shares isn't relevant or important; it just didn't speak to me. I didn't learn anything new from the book and I didn't walk away from it feeling any stronger or uplifted. In my opinion, the postscript is the best part of the book as it gives an update on Lindbergh's view of the topics she covers in her essays.

Claudette Colbert narrates it very well. Her voice adds nuance to the text and her reading feels very much like a theater performance. A very good one.

I'd recommend this book only to spiritually-minded women. If you find yourself stressed and overwhelmed by the responsibilities placed on you and you also like sea metaphors, you'll probably enjoy this book.

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Excellent book wonderfully read.

What did you love best about Gift from the Sea?

It is written in an easy style that was a pleasure to read (I also bought the book) and an absolute pleasure to listen to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There are no characters in this narrative. Just Lindberghs wonderful reflections on life and relationship.

What about Claudette Colbert’s performance did you like?

Her voice is amazing. I will listen to this again and again just to hear her read. Also, she is in character for Lindbergh and does it superbly.

What did you learn from Gift from the Sea that you would use in your daily life?

Look at the shell of your life and know yourself is just the begining. Her reflections on relationships is right on.

Any additional comments?

I read this book with a book club. The discussion went twice as long as usual. The book is just that good.

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3 people found this helpful

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Sorry but this is terrible

Written in a way that makes u want to drill ur ear drums out. I gave it a solid shot. It’s so wordy that the simple point being addressed is lost. If she says “ones self” one more time my ears are going to bleed.

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Encouraging and appropriate

As a wife and mother of five I found the storyline entertaining and insightful. Ironically, I was flying to vacation as I listened which is recommended by the author. Woman need to be reminded to take care of themselves to better care for their loved ones. Great book.

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Worth revisiting

A book that can be re read over and over again. Seems to be timeless. It is amazing how poignant what she wrote so many years ago is still pertinent today.

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Gifts of beauty and contemplation

This book takes me away from every day life and transports me to place where there is solitude and peace, where I can slow down and be fully present. After reading it the first time, it stayed with me, and I reflected on the meditations on "youth and age; love and marriage; peace, solitude, and contentment (from the 50th anniversary edition)."

Life is change. The things we love and want to hold on to are transient and intermittent. Nothing stays the same and live moves on. More layers are revealed. As I have gone through and will go through the different stages of life and experience different relationships, I see what lies beneath the external part - deeper connections, beauty, joy, contentment, insight, creativity.

After reading it, I have less fear of the unknown. Heading toward the unknown is where you find beauty in the lightness of touch and living in present. This book is a gift that transcends time and a multi-read for me.

I enjoyed all versions of the book - the paperback, ebook, and audible.

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