Description
Book SynopsisThe anthology is far more culturally diverse than the few other literary collections on aging. Ranging from ancient Chinese poetry to Mary Oliver, Alice Walker, and Willie Nelson, the anthology includes poetry, fiction, philosophical essays, personal essays, humor, analyses of ageism, and folktales from Asia and Iraq. Fierce with Reality highlights writings by women, from late 19th century American literature to the present. Many facets of aging are explored, revealing the challenges and complexities of late life, and demonstrating that the aging process is both individual and social/cultural. Fierce with Reality, aimed at a general audience as well as students and professors, would be ideal for book groups.
Trade ReviewMargaret Cruikshank’s Fierce with Reality offers a necessary and welcome corrective to the view of aging as solely a process of illness and loss. Drawing on cultures from around the world and ranging from polemic to poetry, the book portrays growing older in all of its glorious complexity, ambiguity and diversity—and it’s a delight to read. -- Ashton Applewhite, author of This Chair Rocks: a Manifesto Against Ageism
The richness of this volume mirrors the richness of aging here and around the world. Cruikshank has skillfully woven together glimpses of what it is like to grow old. The uniqueness of this text is its diversity. International perspectives combine with work by a variety of U.S. writers. Cruikshank reclaims the word “old” as an honorable one. -- Jean Quam, Dean of the School of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota
Open to any page and find a gem on aging. -- Glenda Martin, Minnesota Women’s Press
Such a sharing of the nonlinear nature of time may liberate people of all ages and broaden the understanding of those privileged to serve the old. -- Jean Gould, editor of Season of Adventure: Traveling Tales and Outdoor of Women over Fifty
Table of ContentsThe Old Poets of China, Mary Oliver Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: A Kaleidoscope of Images Chapter 2: Homage to Grandmothers Chapter 3: Strength and Wisdom Chapter 4: Aging is Not for Sissies Chapter 5: Growth and Change Chapter 6: Defiance and Self-Determination Chapter 7: Loss Chapter 8: Humor Chapter 9: Ageism Chapter 10: The Fountain of Youth: Two Asian Versions Chapter 11: Reflections About the Editor Suggested Reading
