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May Sarton
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Endgame: A Journal of the Seventy-Ninth Year Kindle Edition

by May Sarton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
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“A testament to the joys of nature from a courageous and loving woman . . . her cats, birds, garden and visitors keep her ecstatically anchored in life” (Publishers Weekly).

“I always imagined a journal that would take me through my seventy-ninth year,” May Sarton writes, “the doors opening out from old age to unknown efforts and surprises.” Instead of musing calmly on the philosophical implications of aging, the writer found herself spending most of her energy battling for her health.
 
Coping with constant pain and increasing frailty, Sarton fears that the end is not far off. The story of what she calls the “last laps of a long-distance runner,” this yearlong journal addresses such familiar Sarton topics as her beloved garden, the harshness of Maine winters, and the friendships and intimate relationships that have nurtured and sustained her. She settles some old literary scores and paints a generous portrait of Virginia Woolf, who often shared tea with Sarton during the late 1930s. When illness saps Sarton’s ability to type, she dictates into recorders and has the tapes transcribed by devoted assistants. In spite of the loss of independence and the fear that she will never fully recover, she does her best to soldier on, taking pleasure in small things like a good meal; her cat, Pierrot, who loves the rain; and being able to sleep through the night. An enduring inspiration to millions of women, Sarton even finds the courage to achieve again.
 
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  1. Print length
    413 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Open Road Media
  4. Publication date
    August 18, 2015
  5. File size
    3.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Like all of Sarton's journals, this is a testament to the joys of nature from a courageous and loving woman. It is different from the others ( Journal of a Solitude , etc.) in that now, at age 79 and living alone in her house in Maine, she must struggle with frailty and illness that make fierce inroads on her independence. She is so weak that she can no longer hold a pen but keeps up her writing by learning to use a dictaphone. And she has the help of a devoted secretary and numerous friends. Sometimes her pain is too much, but she discards the idea of suicide, thinking that "one must have one's death . . . not make one's own death." And her cats, birds, garden and visitors keep her ecstatically anchored in life. Looking into the heart of a pale yellow daffodil, she is exalted to discover its "center of emerald green, like a light." There is no comfort here for old age, with its daily records of pain, but Sarton's fans will find reassurance that her valiant spirit endures. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The story of the "last laps of a long-distance runner" enduring "a plateau of constant discomfort and "the knowledge that she will never get well," Sarton learns to accept dependency, write with a tape recorder, and adjust to frailty. Her solace is "root friends," flowers (her "small gods"), her cat, and her memories. She finds the courage to achieve again, "looking forward to the day." In this book, which is pervaded by the imagery of rain, she works through grief at the loss of her powers and records how women's friendships sustain her. Sarton has been lighthouse light for millions of women, and despite the dimming of that light, she remains the Sarton who wrote Journal of a Solitude ( LJ 4/1/73). This latest addition to her journal series is an essential purchase.
- Judy Hogan, Durham, N.C.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B010N002O0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media (August 18, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 18, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 413 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

About the author

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May Sarton

May Sarton

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May Sarton is the pen name of Eleanore Marie Sarton (May 3, 1912 – July 16, 1995), an American poet, novelist, and memoirist. Her parents were science historian George Sarton and his wife, the English artist Mabel Eleanor Elwes. In 1915, her family moved to Boston, Massachusetts. She went to school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and started theatre lessons in her late teens. In 1945 she met her partner for the next thirteen years, Judy Matlack, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They separated in 1956, when Sarton's father died and Sarton moved to Nelson, New Hampshire. Honey in the Hive (1988) is about their relationship. Sarton later moved to York, Maine. She died of breast cancer on July 16, 1995. She is buried in Nelson, New Hampshire.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
70 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Nancy T. Luckey
    5.0 out of 5 stars May's Journal
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Well written even if you don't like poetry. I felt the author was conceited and entitled, and why in the world did a sick old lady live on the third floor!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Donna Hill
    4.0 out of 5 stars One of my Favorite May Sarton Journals
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This was one of my favorite May Sarton journals. Wish I could give it 4.5 stars. I love it because she writes quite a bit about her medical issues and the diet her doctor puts her on to counteract her irritable bowel syndrome. And I love it because she talks about the way she will burst into tears easily or occasionally yell and scream. Adore the personal stuff, the more the better for me. My eyes will glaze over a bit when there is yet another description of a flower arrangement (although I don't mind some flowers), or when she writes about other writers or old friends. Sometimes I'm interested, sometimes I'm not. A story of a suicide was interesting to me. I don't mind hearing some of her reactions to the news although some of this can get old. It's interesting when we already know what happened and May is speculating as to what will happen. Like reading a mystery story we've figured out. She was wondering what would happen to Saddam Hussein. And we know. I do enjoy hearing about her household helpers and the tasks they perform for her--especially Susan. These people become almost beloved after reading several journals. One has to respect them for their kindness and dedication. Although May Sarton had difficulty with coming out and stating a positive belief in God, her words and actions are reflective of a spiritual outlook. She cries tears of joy when a nun she had written calls her. The last page in her book contains a poem about angels. She says, "Glory be to God" after her pain goes away for a while and implies that this prayer kind of slipped out. I'll always feel at home in May Sarton's journals and especially this one. I enjoy her reflections on death. I'll save this book and read it again when I'm 79 if I'm still here.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • sculler
    5.0 out of 5 stars As expected
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    No surprises a d prompt
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  • N Nystuen
    3.0 out of 5 stars Kind of tedious
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I wanted to like this book, but it was just too tedious and repetitive to enjoy. Her life had become very limited due to illness, which made the journal quite limited in scope.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Shirley A. McElhaney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration & Wisdom
    Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    May Sarton is one of my true favorite authors. She was such a wise woman; and perhaps it is just me, but I feel that through her writing she expresses and conveys many of my same thoughts.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Linda M. Dancker
    4.0 out of 5 stars Endgame
    Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    Good book from what I have been told. I didn't buy it for myself and the person that wanted it loves anything written by May Sarton. It happens to be one of her favorite writers. Book arrived before expected and was well packaged. In very good condition, better than I expected. I would recommend the seller.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Judith M. Ashley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Frank, concise, so enjoyable.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A fascinating woman who let's the reader know exactly what's going on in her inner and outer world.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
    Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Beautiful.
    One person found this helpful
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