We all come upon times in our lives when change becomes unavoidable.
Circumstances become such that we no longer have a choice – something has to give. The upside is that being pushed when we’re too tired to even run can sometimes yield the most unexpected and life-changing results.
In Anna Quindlen’s Still Life with Bread Crumbs, Rebecca Winter, a relatively famous NYC photographer, faces those circumstances. She suddenly finds herself with overwhelming financial responsibilities due to family obligations no one else can carry, and a diminishing income due to a narcissistic husband and abusive agent.
To save money and sort out her life, she rents a somewhat ramshackle cottage in upstate New York. There Rebecca finds the unexpected – a very different kind of life, the life she hadn’t known she needed and the life she was truly made for.
What an excellent read! I have read both fiction and non-fiction by this Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist. She has never failed to capture my heart, imagination, or intellect, often all three. Highly recommended. 4 stars.
p.s. Inspired by this novel, I’ve decided to return to Quindlen’s Thinking Out Loud and finish reading!
Still A Dreamer 
”A Short Guide to a Happy Life” by Anna Quindlen is my favorite read of all time. I echo your thoughts about her writing. Love you.
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Me, too! I have a copy on a bookshelf here. I realized, in posting this, that I have actually written about three other of her previous books! Love you, too. ❤️❤️
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Towards the end of the book, Anna asks the homeless man why he doesn’t stay in a shelter instead of a park bench on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean. He responds “look at the view, young lady, look at the view “. It sums up the whole book.
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I remember it well. I love that line. Did you know that that whole book was a commencement address?
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Yes, I did.
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Adding to my list!
I found Trust Life at a local used bookstore over the weekend! I’m enjoying it already. 💜
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I’m glad you’re liking Trust Life – it’s a lovely daily companion, and some days – you know how it is – what she says couldn’t fit your day better!
Would you like me to send you “Bread Crumbs”? By media mail, it would be nothing, and I won’t be keeping it. You can send me your address securely here – https://www.jeannebalsam.com/contact-me/ (and no worries, I won’t call, but will e you directly once we’re in touch. Just gun-shy about putting my e address anywhere.)
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