The Book of Qualities
The Book of Qualities
J. Ruth Gendler
Brené Brown
I’m so glad I found this book. It was published 25 years ago and it’s magical. - Brené Brown
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The Book of Qualities

The Book of Qualities

J. Ruth Gendler
By
J. Ruth Gendler
4.5
1089
ratings on Goodreads

In the enchanting pages of "The Book of Qualities" by J. Ruth Gendler, the abstract becomes intimately tangible as human emotions transform into living, breathing characters. With the deftness of a poet and the insight of a philosopher, Gendler invites us into a whimsical yet profound universe where qualities like Joy, Sorrow, and Courage walk beside us, revealing the intricate tapestry of our inner lives. Through her vivid prose, each quality is personified in such a way that we find pieces of ourselves within them, reflecting the multifaceted nature of human experience. This book is not merely read; it is felt, reminding us that the world within us is as vast and diverse as the one outside. Gendler's masterpiece blurs the lines between the psychological and the poetic, crafting a space where Fear lives down the hall from Hope, and Imagination is the light that dances in the dark corners of our minds. "The Book of Qualities" stands as a testament to the power of creativity in exploring the depths of the human psyche. Each page is a mirror, reflecting the beauty and complexity of our emotions, and inviting us to embrace the full spectrum of what it means to be alive. With grace, humor, and an unerring eye for the essence of each quality, Gendler offers a guidebook to understanding ourselves and others, making this work an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to navigate the human condition with empathy and insight.

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Released
1984
1 Jan
Length
100
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

I’m so glad I found this book. It was published 25 years ago and it’s magical. - Brené Brown
Sensuality does not wear a watch but she always gets to the essential places on time. She is adventurous and not particularly quiet. She was reprimanded in grade school because she couldn’t sit still all day long. She needs to move. She thinks with her body. Even when she goes to the library to read Emily Dickinson or Emily Bronte, she starts reading out loud and swaying with the words, and before she can figure out what is happening, she is asked to leave. As you might expect, she is a disaster at office jobs.Sensuality has exquisite skin and she appreciates it in others as well. There are other people whose skin is soft and clear and healthy but something about Sensuality’s skin announces that she is alive. When the sun bursts forth in May, Sensuality likes to take off her shirt and feel the sweet warmth of the sun’s rays brush across her shoulder. This is not intended as a provocative gesture but other people are, as usual, upset. Sensuality does not understand why everyone else is so disturbed by her. As a young girl, she was often scolded for going barefoot.Sensuality likes to make love at the border where time and space change places. When she is considering a potential lover, she takes him to the ocean and watches. Does he dance with the waves? Does he tell her about the time he slept on the beach when he was seventeen and woke up in the middle of the night to look at the moon? Does he laugh and cry and notice how big the sky is?It is spring now, and Sensuality is very much in love these days. Her new friend is very sweet. Climbing into bed the first time, he confessed he was a little intimidated about making love with her. Sensuality just laughed and said, ‘But we’ve been making love for days.
— J. Ruth Gendler, The Book of Qualities

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