St Florence > Home > Clubs & Societies > Book Club > Previously Discussed > Learning to Fall
| November
2005 |
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| Learning
to Fall |
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| by Philip Simmons | ||
| The
author was 35 years old in 1993 when he learned he had motor neurone disease,
usually fatal within two to five years. With two young children and at the start
of a promising academic and literary career, he suddenly had to learn the art
of dying. Simmons tells the story of his spiritual journey with wisdom and humour,
finding answers to life's deepest questions in everything from turtle behaviour
to Buddhist philosophy to keats' poetry to the mating practices of toads. He shows
us how, against all odds, to live lives of depth, compassion and courage. |
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|
Aileen
& Audrey |
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| Philip Simmons
was Associate Professor of English at Lake Forest College in Illinois where he
taught literature and creative writing before he became disabled by Motor Neurone
Disease in 1993 at the age of 35.
This book consists of twelve essays on his reaction to learning how to make the most of the life he had left. Essays of recognition of how precious life is. This is an inspiring and beautiful book full of heart and soul written by a man who was willing to take what life dealt him and make the best of it. It is compelling reading and gives great insight on the human condition. Simmons writes with feeling and understanding as he unfolds his thoughts. The book is full of ‘one-liners’ that make its readers stop and think and apply them to their own lives…..e.g. ‘as the child falls out of the mother’s womb be ready for the time when the soul will fall out of ourselves’. Surprisingly it is also a book that makes one feel good on reading it, Simmons manages to be both down to earth and inspiring at the same time.
Philip Simmons died in July 2002, nine years after his condition was diagnosed but his words live on beautifully in this book. It is worth reading at least twice! |
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| Discussed
at Flemish Close on 17 November |
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