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But Still They Sing
A new book of essays from award-winning author J.F. Riordan records a natural world minutely observed. From a bathtub spider to a tree-borne cluster of cold raccoons, the collection captures the peculiar isolation and intensity of pandemic lockdown. Deeply insightful and personal, by turns soulful and humorous, these meditations on life and grief belong at the bedside of anyone in search of the comfort and companionship of a humane voice.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 26, 2023
This is my first encounter with Riordan and I quite like her. These brief essays touch on a great many topics and ideas that matter to me; I daresay most readers will find plenty of common ground here. Riordan's style is simple and direct, yet it serves well to convey thoughts that are anything but simple.
At any other time, I suspect I'd have felt for Riordan that sense of intimacy and presumptuous friendship that comes from reading the work of a mind that runs parallel to one's own. My failure to connect is no fault of Riordan's. In fact, I'm surprised her writing about the deaths of her beloved dogs didn't act like emotional super glue. I read this book, you see, with my own darling cat dying of FIP next to me, lying where I can reach over every few minutes to feel that he's still breathing, and finding myself both relieved that he is still here and disappointed that his suffering hasn't ended. Her essay about the death of her dog Moses brought me to tears, but I'm ashamed to say, they were as much for myself as for her, as much for my Khoshi as for Moses. I suppose grief turns us inward and shuts us off at times.
Just the same, I'm grateful to Riordan for the company during this vigil and for the reminders that we can hold in our minds both sorrow and gratitude, horror at the cruelty of humankind and appreciation of its ability to love, the busyness of daily life and the stillness of observing a sunrise.
At any other time, I suspect I'd have felt for Riordan that sense of intimacy and presumptuous friendship that comes from reading the work of a mind that runs parallel to one's own. My failure to connect is no fault of Riordan's. In fact, I'm surprised her writing about the deaths of her beloved dogs didn't act like emotional super glue. I read this book, you see, with my own darling cat dying of FIP next to me, lying where I can reach over every few minutes to feel that he's still breathing, and finding myself both relieved that he is still here and disappointed that his suffering hasn't ended. Her essay about the death of her dog Moses brought me to tears, but I'm ashamed to say, they were as much for myself as for her, as much for my Khoshi as for Moses. I suppose grief turns us inward and shuts us off at times.
Just the same, I'm grateful to Riordan for the company during this vigil and for the reminders that we can hold in our minds both sorrow and gratitude, horror at the cruelty of humankind and appreciation of its ability to love, the busyness of daily life and the stillness of observing a sunrise.
October 2, 2023
I recently had the pleasure of diving into Ms. Janet F. Riordan's collection of essays, "But Still They Sing," and what a delightful literary journey it has been! This compilation is a tapestry of emotions, experiences, and profound insights, artfully penned by an author with a deep connection to the rhythms of life.
From the very first essay, Ms. Riordan's poignant words resonate, as she declares, "Life is hard…but they, still sing." This theme weaves throughout the book, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of adversity.
Ms. Riordan's writing style is akin to a gentle stroll through nature's wonders. Much like the renowned Ruskin Bond, an Indian author, she has an uncanny ability to bring the natural world to life with vivid descriptions and a profound appreciation for its beauty. Her love for nature shines through each page, making you pause and savor the smallest details of the world around you.
The collection encompasses a wide spectrum of emotions. From humorous anecdotes that elicited genuine laughter to soulful reflections that tugged at my heartstrings, Ms. Riordan's ability to traverse these emotional landscapes is commendable. Each essay is a window into her personal life, and I felt as though I was invited into her world.
One aspect that truly stands out is Ms. Riordan's capacity to find wisdom in everyday moments. She captures the essence of life's lessons with grace and authenticity, leaving readers with valuable takeaways.
While "But Still They Sing" is a captivating read, it's not without a few minor hiccups. Some essays resonate more deeply than others, and there were moments when I wished for a more consistent flow throughout the collection. Nevertheless, these are minor nuances in what is an overall remarkable work.
"But Still They Sing" by Ms. Janet F. Riordan is a heartfelt compilation that leaves an indelible mark on its readers. It is a reminder that, in the midst of life's challenges, there is always a song to be sung. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those seeking a thought-provoking, soul-nourishing but light read that celebrates the beauty of life in all its shades.
Ms. Riordan's voice is a welcome addition to the world of essayists, and I look forward to more of her literary offerings in the future.
From the very first essay, Ms. Riordan's poignant words resonate, as she declares, "Life is hard…but they, still sing." This theme weaves throughout the book, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of adversity.
Ms. Riordan's writing style is akin to a gentle stroll through nature's wonders. Much like the renowned Ruskin Bond, an Indian author, she has an uncanny ability to bring the natural world to life with vivid descriptions and a profound appreciation for its beauty. Her love for nature shines through each page, making you pause and savor the smallest details of the world around you.
The collection encompasses a wide spectrum of emotions. From humorous anecdotes that elicited genuine laughter to soulful reflections that tugged at my heartstrings, Ms. Riordan's ability to traverse these emotional landscapes is commendable. Each essay is a window into her personal life, and I felt as though I was invited into her world.
One aspect that truly stands out is Ms. Riordan's capacity to find wisdom in everyday moments. She captures the essence of life's lessons with grace and authenticity, leaving readers with valuable takeaways.
While "But Still They Sing" is a captivating read, it's not without a few minor hiccups. Some essays resonate more deeply than others, and there were moments when I wished for a more consistent flow throughout the collection. Nevertheless, these are minor nuances in what is an overall remarkable work.
"But Still They Sing" by Ms. Janet F. Riordan is a heartfelt compilation that leaves an indelible mark on its readers. It is a reminder that, in the midst of life's challenges, there is always a song to be sung. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those seeking a thought-provoking, soul-nourishing but light read that celebrates the beauty of life in all its shades.
Ms. Riordan's voice is a welcome addition to the world of essayists, and I look forward to more of her literary offerings in the future.
May 5, 2024
A lovely set of short essays by one of my favorite novelists. A few of these essays appeared previously in The Weekly Standard; most are previously unpublished. While there is a bit too much repetition for my taste (the pandemic, wildlife, and pet dogs appear again and again), her insight is as keen as her touch is gentle. I especially appreciate her appreciation of the previous generations and all that they withstood and passed along. Riordan is doing her part to pass down a raft of wisdom herself.
December 30, 2023
I usually think of essays as longer and more pedantic. I would call these vignettes. This is a very personal, even intimate, book. Moments in a full life. Love and loss and lyrical moments. It is an easy read. It is worth reading. It made me laugh out loud. It made me weep in sadness. You should read it. It's really good.
December 28, 2024
4.5 Stars. A beautiful collection of essays that are like a peaceful and heart warming meditation. J.F. Riordan’s essays on nature have a Mary Oliver quality to them, and in my opinion are her strongest pieces. She clearly sees the natural world in a special way and shares the beauty she sees with all of us.
If you are a dog lover, “Moses” will grab your heart, be prepared with tissues.
If you are a dog lover, “Moses” will grab your heart, be prepared with tissues.
January 5, 2024
This book is just what my brain needed. I have enjoyed Riordan’s blog, stories of her dogs and her travels, and have read all of her novels. These short essays about life and nature are often poignant and sometimes hysterically funny. I found them all very relatable and well written.
July 16, 2023
Very enjoyable short stories. Looking forward to her new book, “Throwing Beats for George”.
July 3, 2024
A beautiful collection of reflections on mortality, the beauty of life, writing, and most of all: love. Recommended.
December 15, 2024
Definitely not my favorite but still liked quite a few of the essays. Some of the essays in this one seemed to be a bit repetitive though...
October 25, 2023
In BUT STILL THEY SING, an essay collection with deep connection to the natural world, J.F. Riordan writes with warmth as she broaches a variety of subjects. At times humorous and at other points bringing me to tears, Riordan takes both the simple and the complex and presents thought-provoking material to the reader in an easy-to-digest format. I found myself stopping to re-read certain essays before even finishing the book as I wanted to experience my connection to them again right away. I will certainly be visiting my favorites more in the future. There were a few essays that had very similar topics which made them feel somewhat repetitive but it wasn’t significant enough to diminish my overall enjoyment. This book is definitely a keeper and one that came into my life at just the perfect time.
I’d highly recommend BUT STILL THEY SING to fans of essay collections. This is the first I’ve read by this author. I look forward to checking out her other works. Thank you to Beaufort Books for the giveaway copy.
I’d highly recommend BUT STILL THEY SING to fans of essay collections. This is the first I’ve read by this author. I look forward to checking out her other works. Thank you to Beaufort Books for the giveaway copy.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews