What do you think?
Rate this book
Reading By Moonlight: How Books Saved A Life
When Miles Franklin-shortlisted novelist Brenda walker became sick she turned to two healers: doctors and books.
This is the story of how she recovered.
This is the story of how she recovered.
229 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2010
9 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Walker
33 books11 followersThere is more than author with this name
Brenda Joanne Walker was an Australian writer. Born in Grafton, New South Wales, she studied at the University of New England in Armidale and, after gaining a PhD in English (on the work of Samuel Beckett) at the Australian National University, she moved to Perth in 1984. She was a Winthrop Professor of English and Cultural Studies at the University of Western Australia. She had also been a visiting fellow at Stanford University and the University of Virginia.
Walker was the sister of songwriter and musician Don Walker, and the daughter of author Shirley Walker.
Brenda Joanne Walker was an Australian writer. Born in Grafton, New South Wales, she studied at the University of New England in Armidale and, after gaining a PhD in English (on the work of Samuel Beckett) at the Australian National University, she moved to Perth in 1984. She was a Winthrop Professor of English and Cultural Studies at the University of Western Australia. She had also been a visiting fellow at Stanford University and the University of Virginia.
Walker was the sister of songwriter and musician Don Walker, and the daughter of author Shirley Walker.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 9, 2025
"This whole plot, - the beginning, middle and end - had been lived before by others, but I had to live through it myself to understand it, to know that agony can be an analgesic, that the memory of pain can itself be a painkiller. " Paul Theroux in The New Yorker as quoted in Brenda' book
Brenda Walker's book, "Reading by Moonlight: how books saved a life", is ultimately about Brenda's journey of breast cancer, from the beginning, through the middle to the end, living it and learning about it, and in particular, her reading journey through, or to be more precise, her memory of the books that she has read over her lifetime that in some way served to help her through this treatment to survival. She tells of her truthful pain and decisions that a woman must make along the way during the process of the treatment (like the decision of whether or not to get cosmetic surgery or not).
It is a very heavily reference novel with at least 52 references to books or publications throughout the book that are in sometimes in such detail that they detract from her very well structured and heartfelt story. The references that she uses, whilst they are all very relevant to her journey and story, at times, seem to be fleshing it out a little too much and making this piece of writing a little bit self indulgent, showing off how well read she is. In many ways, this feels like an academic piece, an English literature book, one that I should be taking notes on (I did), which explores all of these books in relation to her circumstances.
Where it fails most, I think is that she has not given enough context of herself. I was left with a sense of hollowness of who she was, without a depth of her son and a real sense of her place, where she lived. I I didn't get a real feel for where she was other than in the west of Australia, which is a big state. Her son, once introduced, was lost, forgotten. I was left wondering about the impact that this had on him. I am aware that she wanted to write about the books, but the personal, emotional journey is important to the reader to.
Where Brenda did really well was to give a fantastic insight into the process of breast cancer treatment, the difficulty of it, and that through the distraction of books and readings she was able to survive and to look forward not back and be grateful, or as Robinson Crusoe said, "I am here, not there."
_____________________________________________________________________________
We read this for our book club, and the scoring in our book club was from 2/10 - 6/10. Most felt that the quotations were arduous, and a distraction to the story. A couple really enjoyed the references and the re-storytelling of them that Brenda did of them. Brenda highlighted how incredibly wellread she is and most of the book club had wished that she have given more of herself to the book rather than her book reviews.
Brenda Walker's book, "Reading by Moonlight: how books saved a life", is ultimately about Brenda's journey of breast cancer, from the beginning, through the middle to the end, living it and learning about it, and in particular, her reading journey through, or to be more precise, her memory of the books that she has read over her lifetime that in some way served to help her through this treatment to survival. She tells of her truthful pain and decisions that a woman must make along the way during the process of the treatment (like the decision of whether or not to get cosmetic surgery or not).
It is a very heavily reference novel with at least 52 references to books or publications throughout the book that are in sometimes in such detail that they detract from her very well structured and heartfelt story. The references that she uses, whilst they are all very relevant to her journey and story, at times, seem to be fleshing it out a little too much and making this piece of writing a little bit self indulgent, showing off how well read she is. In many ways, this feels like an academic piece, an English literature book, one that I should be taking notes on (I did), which explores all of these books in relation to her circumstances.
Where it fails most, I think is that she has not given enough context of herself. I was left with a sense of hollowness of who she was, without a depth of her son and a real sense of her place, where she lived. I I didn't get a real feel for where she was other than in the west of Australia, which is a big state. Her son, once introduced, was lost, forgotten. I was left wondering about the impact that this had on him. I am aware that she wanted to write about the books, but the personal, emotional journey is important to the reader to.
Where Brenda did really well was to give a fantastic insight into the process of breast cancer treatment, the difficulty of it, and that through the distraction of books and readings she was able to survive and to look forward not back and be grateful, or as Robinson Crusoe said, "I am here, not there."
_____________________________________________________________________________
We read this for our book club, and the scoring in our book club was from 2/10 - 6/10. Most felt that the quotations were arduous, and a distraction to the story. A couple really enjoyed the references and the re-storytelling of them that Brenda did of them. Brenda highlighted how incredibly wellread she is and most of the book club had wished that she have given more of herself to the book rather than her book reviews.
February 13, 2017
Novamente um livro de não-ficção que serviu de inspiração para o tema do Desafio Pop-Up do mês de Julho no blog.
Brenda Walker quando descobriu que tinha cancro da mama sentiu-se desolada. Ficou abalada, como é normal. Mas foi o amor pelos livros (e pelo seu filho) que a ajudaram a atravessar esta fase difícil. A autora partilha a sua longa jornada através de todas as etapas que passou: cirurgia, quimioterapia, radioterapia, reconstrução e sobrevivência. Nelas a Brenda fala da dor, das emoções, dos pensamentos que lhe vão povoando a mente a alma. E conta histórias de livros que a ajudaram em cada fase.
Um livro para amantes de livros onde não só é partilhado o amor pelos livros, mas como eles nos ajudam nas mais difíceis etapas da nossa vida. A terapia através da leitura é cada vez mais falada e estudada. Certamente, um tema que vou querer explorar mais no futuro, quer a nível pessoal, quer a nível profissional.
Recomendo.
Brenda Walker quando descobriu que tinha cancro da mama sentiu-se desolada. Ficou abalada, como é normal. Mas foi o amor pelos livros (e pelo seu filho) que a ajudaram a atravessar esta fase difícil. A autora partilha a sua longa jornada através de todas as etapas que passou: cirurgia, quimioterapia, radioterapia, reconstrução e sobrevivência. Nelas a Brenda fala da dor, das emoções, dos pensamentos que lhe vão povoando a mente a alma. E conta histórias de livros que a ajudaram em cada fase.
Um livro para amantes de livros onde não só é partilhado o amor pelos livros, mas como eles nos ajudam nas mais difíceis etapas da nossa vida. A terapia através da leitura é cada vez mais falada e estudada. Certamente, um tema que vou querer explorar mais no futuro, quer a nível pessoal, quer a nível profissional.
Recomendo.
Want to read
October 19, 2020I've dipped into this book many times before. One of the qualities I love about it is the way that, for some reason, you can read a passage from any part of the book and the passage you read seems so self-contained and to be able to stand on its own as a work of literature. I think of it like an orange and you can divide it into segments and each segment has the full orange experience. I find it a very comforting book.
January 5, 2024
Loved all the book discussion.
December 15, 2024
Read this years ago but wanted to note it upon the tragic death of the author. A book that truly inspired me.
December 29, 2010
A book that unfortunately didn't quite live up to its interesting premise, though at least I now have some new books to add to my to-read list. It started off well, drawing striking connections between the author's experience with breast cancer and the books (e.g. The Divine Comedy, Beckett's trilogy) from which she drew sustenance throughout her recovery. There were some quietly meditative moments in which she reflected on the power of literature to 'save a life': not literally but by providing a brief opportunity to escape from one's own life and slip into another's skin. However, these threads often strayed into literary analysis of various books and took a deadly toll on the pace of the narrative. Not altogether terrible, as some other reviewers might have you believe, but still not a book I would revisit or wholeheartedly recommend.
November 7, 2011
A que nos agarramos na presença de um cancro? A professora australiana Brenda Walker agarra-se aos livros, aos clássicos. Que livro levar para um hospital? Existe um livro perfeito para estas ocasiões?
Felizmente nunca me vi numa situação destas mas o hipocondriaco que existe em mim deixou-me a pensar quando li a sinopse. Provavelmente também me agarraria aos livros. Sempre foram para mim um meio de sonhar e de fugir à realidade e aquela seria uma realidade da qual eu me quereria afastar. Não sei se teria depois a vontade ou força de vontade. São 'experiências' muito complicadas e, infelizmente, cada vez mais frequentes.
O livro está bem escrito. É interessante mas falha em não nos dar uma solução para a pergunta formulada no início. Ou será que não existe uma resposta?
Felizmente nunca me vi numa situação destas mas o hipocondriaco que existe em mim deixou-me a pensar quando li a sinopse. Provavelmente também me agarraria aos livros. Sempre foram para mim um meio de sonhar e de fugir à realidade e aquela seria uma realidade da qual eu me quereria afastar. Não sei se teria depois a vontade ou força de vontade. São 'experiências' muito complicadas e, infelizmente, cada vez mais frequentes.
O livro está bem escrito. É interessante mas falha em não nos dar uma solução para a pergunta formulada no início. Ou será que não existe uma resposta?
February 19, 2015
There were many interesting passages in this book and Walker introduced me to some books I never heard of and would like now to read. But overall, as I read I was only mildly interested, and mostly irritated. This is because Walker wrote about 2 potentially urgent topics - surviving breast cancer & literature - but her book ended up being very 'safe', not very revealing personally, full of pretty but empty phrases and metaphors. And it totally lacks humour.
June 24, 2012
This is a beautiful and amazing book. I read it in 3 days. I loved the writing and was so taken by some of the beautiful paragraphs I would sigh happily before turning the next page. The concept of books saving a life is magnificent. Please read this book... it will long be a book that I happily go back too and read again :)
September 1, 2011
It's hard not to feel guilty when you don’t really enjoy a book, if it’s written by someone you pity.
To see my review please visit http://anzlitlovers.wordpress.com/201...
To see my review please visit http://anzlitlovers.wordpress.com/201...
June 5, 2011
I borrow this after hearing it read on the Radio National Book Show. That's right, I'm middle aged and middle class! It's brilliant. I loved it.
November 1, 2011
An important book, realised with impeccable style, about the nourishing and vital power of books.
May 21, 2014
A joy to read for the second time. Her words sing to me. Beautiful beautiful!
January 9, 2025
I sort of enjoyed this book, but I found it way too academic for me personally. As a cancer survivor myself, I completely understood the journey and thought the author portrayed an accurate account of what the process after diagnosis might involve. I did struggle at times to maintain focus with the repeated references to literary masters and their work that I knew little about. All that said I now have a list of books that I would like to read. The author was obviously well respected in the literary world and I was saddened to learn of her untimely death in a tragic accident.
May 26, 2022
A superb memoir. I loved it for its writing above all else---a wonderfully honest account of her fears and despair---but also her friendships and the kindnesses associated with her journey through illness. Interspersed with this are a number of stories from books that illustrate personal lessons learned, authors admired and unfashionable favourite books and writers. A gem.
9/10
9/10
May 9, 2024
A autora vai descrevendo a sua vivência de doente de cancro, acompanhando-a de alguns livros que a marcaram ao longo da vida, e que foram, neste período de doença, uma tábua de salvação. Anna Karenina, As horas, A Divina comédia, Malone está a morrer, são alguns dos livros em destaque.
December 18, 2024
This took me back to my College days, listening to superb lecturers share their love of and insights into great literature. What an encouraging and inspiring approach to dealing with a life-threatening illness!
January 28, 2025
Too much English Lit., not enough personal story.
March 17, 2013
Brenda Walker (The Wing of Night, Poe’s Cat) is one of Australia’s finest novelists. In this gorgeously written memoir, she shares her experience of dealing with cancer, with the companionship and support of her favourite books and writers. “I like to read books...that show us ways other people deal with the problem of meaning,” she writes.
Here, she explores the emotions and thought processes awakened by her cancer diagnosis and the brutal experience of treatment. Alongside piercing descriptions of shock and grief for the threatened self are poetic reflections on the process of reading and writing – and the way the stories we read meet with the stories of ourselves, our lived experience. “In this great joining, something substantial forms.”
Books, she shows, develop our capacity for empathy, allow us to escape ourselves and provide intimate companionship throughout our lives. Walker weaves the characters and stories from her favourite books throughout her ‘cancer narrative’, intricately showing how they have bolstered and comforted her, frequently taking the part of the other party in conversations with herself.
This review was first published in The Big Issue in 2010.
Here, she explores the emotions and thought processes awakened by her cancer diagnosis and the brutal experience of treatment. Alongside piercing descriptions of shock and grief for the threatened self are poetic reflections on the process of reading and writing – and the way the stories we read meet with the stories of ourselves, our lived experience. “In this great joining, something substantial forms.”
Books, she shows, develop our capacity for empathy, allow us to escape ourselves and provide intimate companionship throughout our lives. Walker weaves the characters and stories from her favourite books throughout her ‘cancer narrative’, intricately showing how they have bolstered and comforted her, frequently taking the part of the other party in conversations with herself.
This review was first published in The Big Issue in 2010.
March 15, 2016
Un viaggio nella malattia e nella lettura
Brenda Walker, scrittrice e docente universitaria australiana, scopre di avere il cancro al seno. Questo libro è il resoconto del suo calvario nella malattia, sostenuta dai libri e dalle storie che hanno segnato la sua vita.
Non è un testamento, non è una biografia, non è un malinconico addio: lo definirei, piuttosto, un viaggio attraverso cinque momenti topici (Chirurgia, Chemioterapia, Radioterapia, Ricostruzione, Sopravvivenza). Brenda si aggrappa alla vita con tenacia e scopre che l'esistenza di un lettore è molto più complessa di quello che sembra: i libri rappresentano una fonte di accrescimento delle nostre esperienze, sono depositari di sensazioni e pensieri altrui che facciamo anche nostri. Leggere, dunque, amplia la nostra vita, la arricchisce, la perfeziona con stimoli, desideri, esperienze e "lezioni" che altrimenti non avremmo potuto fare.
Il libro è materiale contemplativo e didattico, non ha qui alcuna funzione consolatoria. Leggere insegna a vivere e a superare la malattia, il dolore, l'ignoranza, il vuoto.
Una straordinaria prova d'autrice, un'opera lirica e struggente, priva di risvolti patetici.
Brenda Walker, scrittrice e docente universitaria australiana, scopre di avere il cancro al seno. Questo libro è il resoconto del suo calvario nella malattia, sostenuta dai libri e dalle storie che hanno segnato la sua vita.
Non è un testamento, non è una biografia, non è un malinconico addio: lo definirei, piuttosto, un viaggio attraverso cinque momenti topici (Chirurgia, Chemioterapia, Radioterapia, Ricostruzione, Sopravvivenza). Brenda si aggrappa alla vita con tenacia e scopre che l'esistenza di un lettore è molto più complessa di quello che sembra: i libri rappresentano una fonte di accrescimento delle nostre esperienze, sono depositari di sensazioni e pensieri altrui che facciamo anche nostri. Leggere, dunque, amplia la nostra vita, la arricchisce, la perfeziona con stimoli, desideri, esperienze e "lezioni" che altrimenti non avremmo potuto fare.
Il libro è materiale contemplativo e didattico, non ha qui alcuna funzione consolatoria. Leggere insegna a vivere e a superare la malattia, il dolore, l'ignoranza, il vuoto.
Una straordinaria prova d'autrice, un'opera lirica e struggente, priva di risvolti patetici.
February 20, 2016
Acum am citit a doua oara cartea aceasta. Din intamplare am gasit un biletel printere pagini chiar din 2011. Datorita acestei carti m-am gadit foarte mult la trecutul meu. Am stat si am analizat fiecare an din viata mea din 2011 pana in prezent. M-am gandit foarte mult la relatia mea cu parintii mei , care sunt niste persoane deosebite. M-a facut sa ma gandesc foarte mult si la prieteniile pe care le am, putine dar adevarate. Mi-a facut foarte mult bine cartea asta, nu imi pare rau ca am citit-o a doua oara ptr ca abia acum am inteles-o cu adevarat. Cred ca fiecare carte are locul ei in viata fiecaruia, depinde de momentele prin care treci prin viata.
July 14, 2010
I really disliked this book and I feel horrible to say it.. I love books about books but I found this book tedious and the descriptions of various books I haven't read do not make me want to read them..(except perhaps Voss)... I liked the insight about cancer treatment and to be honest would have preferred the book to be about that journey. Trying to tie books read with her treatment just didn't work... Boring..
June 8, 2011
am really enjoying the quotes and insights..... like , 'if you were a woman you won a place in a whole poetic tradition of by being young, beautiful and dead.'
but then it let me down int the worst way.. no real...um...substance and I know that probably means I am going to hell for criticism of a cancer patient...but...there it is
a bit like Jennifer's tuesday night book show...all very..this is what I like stuff and not much else... repeating myself?
but then it let me down int the worst way.. no real...um...substance and I know that probably means I am going to hell for criticism of a cancer patient...but...there it is
a bit like Jennifer's tuesday night book show...all very..this is what I like stuff and not much else... repeating myself?
Want to read
November 2, 2023An accomplished writer using an easy style and great word imagery.
She uses the situations and characters in books she has read to imaginatively describe her journey through the trial of breast cancer. Detection, treatment, recovery and survival.
Her prolific consumption of books is displayed like a reading list and mini reviews, highlighting the situations and emotions she went through.
A very good book.
She uses the situations and characters in books she has read to imaginatively describe her journey through the trial of breast cancer. Detection, treatment, recovery and survival.
Her prolific consumption of books is displayed like a reading list and mini reviews, highlighting the situations and emotions she went through.
A very good book.
January 3, 2016
This is a memoir of the time Brenda Walker was being treated for cancer and the books she turned to at this time.
Ordinarily I would have loved a book like this but I don't share her reading tastes and she was not able to convey what these books meant to her despite spending a lot of time talking about them. I enjoyed reading about her treatment and her life at this time and the books that had meaning for her but I couldn't see what she saw in her chosen books and this became a barrier.
Ordinarily I would have loved a book like this but I don't share her reading tastes and she was not able to convey what these books meant to her despite spending a lot of time talking about them. I enjoyed reading about her treatment and her life at this time and the books that had meaning for her but I couldn't see what she saw in her chosen books and this became a barrier.
May 31, 2010
sorry - just another cash in on my breast cancer by writing a different angle including books - for me. Really random connections. Maybe I am just super cynical at the moment. Have enough of my own troubles.
September 5, 2010
Many references to Japan and Japanese culture. I think I enjoyed the book as much as I did because I'm familiar with Japan.
October 31, 2010
This book felt like bits of random book reviews stuck together for no obvious reason. Maybe I needed a degree in English Literature to fully appreciate it.
June 4, 2011
Deep ...
January 1, 2013
Ended up giving this away after reading very little of it, just did not grab my attention in the way that I thought it would.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews