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The Simplicity Primer
Signed by Author
- GenresNonfictionSpirituality
Paperback
First published June 7, 2011
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44 people want to read
About the author
Patrice Lewis
61 books43 followersLiving on a remote self-sufficient homestead in North Idaho, Patrice Lewis is a Christian wife, mother, author, blogger, columnist and speaker. She has practiced and written about rural subjects for almost thirty years. When she isn’t writing, Patrice enjoys self-sufficiency projects, such as animal husbandry, small-scale dairy production, gardening, food preservation and canning, and homeschooling. She and her husband have been married since 1990 and have two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 30, 2015
Always on the hunt for books on simplifying one’s life, especially in a chaotic and stressful world, I was initially excited to come across Patrice Lewis’ book The Simplicity Primer: 365 Ideas for Making Life More Livable. Sadly, this book was a huge disappointment.
On a positive note, Ms. Lewis is a decent writer. And I like how her primer is divided into several sections on topics like marriage, raising children, running a household, the workplace, and saving money. These passages are brief and easily-digestible. The reader can freely read this book piecemeal instead of reading from beginning to end.
However, I soon found Lewis’ advice repetitive and her tone to be snotty and self-satisfied. First, Lewis hardly breaks new ground with “The Simplicity Primer.” Instead of providing concrete, step-by-step advice on how to simplify, be frugal, etc., Lewis offers common sense that most of us already know—don’t break the law, discipline your kids, wear your seat belt, and live within your means. Now even if we don’t always use common sense, most of us learned these things children.
Secondly, Lewis is quite smug. There is nothing wrong with enjoying one’s life and being proud of one’s choices, but in “The Simplicity Primer” Lewis exhibits a moral superiority that is off-putting. Lewis lives on a twenty acre homestead in Idaho where she and her husband own a woodworking business. Her family raises all their own food, and Lewis home-schools her two daughters. Sure, that’s wonderful…for her. But I could have lived without Lewis’ dismissive attitude towards those of us who don’t live like her. Not everyone is suited for the country life. I find I’m more suited to living in a city where I can walk just a few short blocks to the grocery store, my favorite coffee shop, and the local library. Lewis seems convinced city dwellers don’t have any connection to nature, but I live only a few blocks from Lake Michigan—talk about being able to connect with nature.
Thirdly, Lewis admonishes us not to gossip but I found this book quite “gossipy.” Lewis often mentions friends and acquaintances and the bad choices they made, the kind of choices she would never make because she is just so perfect. But what really got under my skin was how she described a former employee of hers as “slow…not a mental giant.” Though she did praise his amazing work ethic, I couldn’t help but wonder why she had to mention that he was less than bright. I thought it was rather unnecessary and quite cruel.
Lewis also has a blog called “Rural Revolution: In-Your-Face Stuff from an Opinionated Rural North Idaho Housewife.” I read a few of her posts, and she is quite sanctimonious and imperious in her blog and she definitely has her devoted followers. However, “The Simplicity Primer” might have been a more satisfying read if Lewis softened her tone and wrote with more humility. After all, this is a book that can be found at libraries and bookstores by people who have never read her blog. And I’d hardly be surprised if they, too, would find Lewis’ superior tone a complete turn-off.
While reading The Simplicity Primer I couldn’t help but think of Deborah Niemann’s vastly superior book Eco-Thrifty: Cheaper, Greener Choices for a Happier, Healthier Life. Like Lewis, Niemann lives on a huge homestead (only in Illinois, not Idaho) and grows her own food, raises livestock and homeschooled her children. However, Niemann actually gives out sound advice that is easily doable, not a bunch of common sense admonishments we already know. Also, unlike Lewis, Niemann writes in an inviting tone that is friendly, down-to-earth and open-minded.
The Simplicity Primer, simply not worth your time or your book-buying dollars.
Originally published at the Book Self Blog:
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...
On a positive note, Ms. Lewis is a decent writer. And I like how her primer is divided into several sections on topics like marriage, raising children, running a household, the workplace, and saving money. These passages are brief and easily-digestible. The reader can freely read this book piecemeal instead of reading from beginning to end.
However, I soon found Lewis’ advice repetitive and her tone to be snotty and self-satisfied. First, Lewis hardly breaks new ground with “The Simplicity Primer.” Instead of providing concrete, step-by-step advice on how to simplify, be frugal, etc., Lewis offers common sense that most of us already know—don’t break the law, discipline your kids, wear your seat belt, and live within your means. Now even if we don’t always use common sense, most of us learned these things children.
Secondly, Lewis is quite smug. There is nothing wrong with enjoying one’s life and being proud of one’s choices, but in “The Simplicity Primer” Lewis exhibits a moral superiority that is off-putting. Lewis lives on a twenty acre homestead in Idaho where she and her husband own a woodworking business. Her family raises all their own food, and Lewis home-schools her two daughters. Sure, that’s wonderful…for her. But I could have lived without Lewis’ dismissive attitude towards those of us who don’t live like her. Not everyone is suited for the country life. I find I’m more suited to living in a city where I can walk just a few short blocks to the grocery store, my favorite coffee shop, and the local library. Lewis seems convinced city dwellers don’t have any connection to nature, but I live only a few blocks from Lake Michigan—talk about being able to connect with nature.
Thirdly, Lewis admonishes us not to gossip but I found this book quite “gossipy.” Lewis often mentions friends and acquaintances and the bad choices they made, the kind of choices she would never make because she is just so perfect. But what really got under my skin was how she described a former employee of hers as “slow…not a mental giant.” Though she did praise his amazing work ethic, I couldn’t help but wonder why she had to mention that he was less than bright. I thought it was rather unnecessary and quite cruel.
Lewis also has a blog called “Rural Revolution: In-Your-Face Stuff from an Opinionated Rural North Idaho Housewife.” I read a few of her posts, and she is quite sanctimonious and imperious in her blog and she definitely has her devoted followers. However, “The Simplicity Primer” might have been a more satisfying read if Lewis softened her tone and wrote with more humility. After all, this is a book that can be found at libraries and bookstores by people who have never read her blog. And I’d hardly be surprised if they, too, would find Lewis’ superior tone a complete turn-off.
While reading The Simplicity Primer I couldn’t help but think of Deborah Niemann’s vastly superior book Eco-Thrifty: Cheaper, Greener Choices for a Happier, Healthier Life. Like Lewis, Niemann lives on a huge homestead (only in Illinois, not Idaho) and grows her own food, raises livestock and homeschooled her children. However, Niemann actually gives out sound advice that is easily doable, not a bunch of common sense admonishments we already know. Also, unlike Lewis, Niemann writes in an inviting tone that is friendly, down-to-earth and open-minded.
The Simplicity Primer, simply not worth your time or your book-buying dollars.
Originally published at the Book Self Blog:
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...
June 24, 2016
I don't like to leave bad reviews -- when I don't personally enjoy a book, I think it's often a matter of taste, and I'm sure someone else out there will quite enjoy it. But occasionally you read a book that seems to promise one thing but is something else entirely, so it's practically a public service to warn other readers.
I read a lot of books and blogs that approach simplicity from many different perspectives -- Zen, Christian, quasi-nostalgic Victorian, vaguely Eastern, hippie, proto-homesteading pioneer. This book purports to be a kind of brass-tacks, practical approach to simplicity. The intro pooh-poohs more airy-fairy, touchy-feeling 'Green Party' hippie approaches to simplicity and promises instead to offer reality-based, practical solutions -- which I'm all for. Really, though, it's mostly the author's social and political opinions on everything from how men and women should behave in marriages to religion vs. spirituality to how to discipline kids, with a smattering of common-sense -- these opinions take up fully the first third of the book and then litter the rest of the content throughout.
I didn't agree with a lot of her opinions, but I appreciated her openness about them. After all, a lot of simplicity comes from knowing and practicing your values. But here's where one of the most off-putting aspects of the book comes in. Lewis espouses virtues like humility, compassion, kindness, civility, charity and community. But I was disturbed by how many times she sounded self-satisfied, smug, sanctimonious, judgmental, condescending, dismissive, intolerant and frankly mean-spirited. I can't count how many times she talks about 'friends' and 'neighbors' in a sh*t-talking, negative way, making harsh judgments on their choices, lives, characters and demeanors. (You seriously have to wonder if she truly has friends she *doesn't* look down upon in some way!) I'm sure she believes she's coming across as plain-spoken, tough and no-nonsense, but I found it off-putting and rather ironic. And like other reviewers noted, the smugness is off the charts; I get it, lady -- you made a lot of smart choices in terms of your life. You don't have to tell me every other essay!
I would forgive the tone and opinions if The Simplicity Primer delivered on the practical tips and solutions it promised. But it falls unbelievably short on these, as well, unless you've never heard of common-sense stuff like 'Don't break the law' and 'Save money' and 'Don't buy a lot of stuff' and 'Don't keep up with the Jones' and 'Marry someone you like and respect.' I know common sense isn't common, but I did expect the book to go a little farther in terms of something new, interesting, practical or real. There's just little to offer that you can't already read elsewhere for free on the Internet, just a few Google searches away. Even as an introduction to simplicity, this is pretty wanting in terms of concrete tips, tricks and ideas.
Honestly, I'd give this book zero stars -- but it's written competently and organized well-enough into small readable essays you can dip in and out of. But if you're truly interested in simplicity, I'd recommend starting elsewhere. And if you're already well-read in this genre, this book has nothing new, innovative or genuinely helpful to offer. Don't be fooled by the calm, serene cover or the promising, helpful back jacket copy -- the book definitely is pretty much the antithesis of its packaging.
I read a lot of books and blogs that approach simplicity from many different perspectives -- Zen, Christian, quasi-nostalgic Victorian, vaguely Eastern, hippie, proto-homesteading pioneer. This book purports to be a kind of brass-tacks, practical approach to simplicity. The intro pooh-poohs more airy-fairy, touchy-feeling 'Green Party' hippie approaches to simplicity and promises instead to offer reality-based, practical solutions -- which I'm all for. Really, though, it's mostly the author's social and political opinions on everything from how men and women should behave in marriages to religion vs. spirituality to how to discipline kids, with a smattering of common-sense -- these opinions take up fully the first third of the book and then litter the rest of the content throughout.
I didn't agree with a lot of her opinions, but I appreciated her openness about them. After all, a lot of simplicity comes from knowing and practicing your values. But here's where one of the most off-putting aspects of the book comes in. Lewis espouses virtues like humility, compassion, kindness, civility, charity and community. But I was disturbed by how many times she sounded self-satisfied, smug, sanctimonious, judgmental, condescending, dismissive, intolerant and frankly mean-spirited. I can't count how many times she talks about 'friends' and 'neighbors' in a sh*t-talking, negative way, making harsh judgments on their choices, lives, characters and demeanors. (You seriously have to wonder if she truly has friends she *doesn't* look down upon in some way!) I'm sure she believes she's coming across as plain-spoken, tough and no-nonsense, but I found it off-putting and rather ironic. And like other reviewers noted, the smugness is off the charts; I get it, lady -- you made a lot of smart choices in terms of your life. You don't have to tell me every other essay!
I would forgive the tone and opinions if The Simplicity Primer delivered on the practical tips and solutions it promised. But it falls unbelievably short on these, as well, unless you've never heard of common-sense stuff like 'Don't break the law' and 'Save money' and 'Don't buy a lot of stuff' and 'Don't keep up with the Jones' and 'Marry someone you like and respect.' I know common sense isn't common, but I did expect the book to go a little farther in terms of something new, interesting, practical or real. There's just little to offer that you can't already read elsewhere for free on the Internet, just a few Google searches away. Even as an introduction to simplicity, this is pretty wanting in terms of concrete tips, tricks and ideas.
Honestly, I'd give this book zero stars -- but it's written competently and organized well-enough into small readable essays you can dip in and out of. But if you're truly interested in simplicity, I'd recommend starting elsewhere. And if you're already well-read in this genre, this book has nothing new, innovative or genuinely helpful to offer. Don't be fooled by the calm, serene cover or the promising, helpful back jacket copy -- the book definitely is pretty much the antithesis of its packaging.
October 26, 2012
This book is terrible. Her tips are nothing new (be less materialistic, be your own person), and it is all couched in moralistic terms (be honest! be humble!), which is ironic because this has to be the LEAST humble person to write a book. When she stated that, outside of her health, all of her success in life was entirely due to her own smart choices and that if you just make smart choices, you will have a great life like her, I knew that this book had no wisdom for me.
November 18, 2012
Nothing new here, but it does smack delightfully of pretentiousness in many places.
Dear Authors: No, I will never get rid of my television and that does not make me a bad person or an uncultured person. No, I will never move to my own farm in Idaho for funsies. I will never be even close to off the grid, off medications, off anything technologically more advanced than 1970. And that is okay with me. If it's not okay with you, please make a note of this in your book synopsis so I can add you to my "don't even bother" list.
Dear Authors: No, I will never get rid of my television and that does not make me a bad person or an uncultured person. No, I will never move to my own farm in Idaho for funsies. I will never be even close to off the grid, off medications, off anything technologically more advanced than 1970. And that is okay with me. If it's not okay with you, please make a note of this in your book synopsis so I can add you to my "don't even bother" list.
August 23, 2023
Patrice Lewis is a wise, Godly woman, to be sure. I really wanted to like this book, but it was not for me. I had hopes of discovering ideas that would create a simpler life. Try as I might, I failed to see the connection between Lewis' 365 ideas and the concept of simplicity. (Admittedly, I only read about 250 of the ideas, as I chose not to finish the book.) The book's title is The Simplicity Primer. I probably would have called it "The Be Good/Do Good Primer", or "The Perfection Primer" with a subtitle of "365 Ways to Induce Feelings of Guilt."
One of the points stressed in The Simplicity Primer is that being a good wife results in a happy relationship with a loving, caring husband. According to Lewis, if a husband does not respond appropriately to a deserving wife, she herself is to blame for choosing the wrong man. A quote from page 4: "Unhappily married? You chose either a bad match for a spouse and/or chose not to do the work necessary to keep your marriage strong. If this sounds harsh, so be it." Ther are numerous statements throughout the book repeating this notion. On page 6 Lewis refers to herself, her husband and their successful lives together when she writes, "I don't mean to toot my own horn here, (but with the exception of our health-which is out of our hands, except what we do to maintain it) most of our many blessings are because we've made smart choices." I like to think of blessings as results of God's favor being bestowed on us - even when we are undeserving. This quote sounds as though Lewis has earned her blessings and deserves them because she knows how to choose wisely. Apparently, she has been blessed with wisdom to make good choices. I wonder what she did to earn that particular blessing.
Are we truly expected to accept all responsibility for failed relationships and other hardships that we suffer through? If I were to blame myself for all of the hardships and tribulations I have endured in my life the load would be a heavier burden than I could bear. No thank you. While The Simplicity Primer may be helping some readers to live better lives, my hope is that it isn't causing others to suffer from unmerited guilt.
In all fairness, my review may have been more positive had I continued reading. But I could not. Patrice Lewis has no trouble making harsh statements. How about some grace?
One of the points stressed in The Simplicity Primer is that being a good wife results in a happy relationship with a loving, caring husband. According to Lewis, if a husband does not respond appropriately to a deserving wife, she herself is to blame for choosing the wrong man. A quote from page 4: "Unhappily married? You chose either a bad match for a spouse and/or chose not to do the work necessary to keep your marriage strong. If this sounds harsh, so be it." Ther are numerous statements throughout the book repeating this notion. On page 6 Lewis refers to herself, her husband and their successful lives together when she writes, "I don't mean to toot my own horn here, (but with the exception of our health-which is out of our hands, except what we do to maintain it) most of our many blessings are because we've made smart choices." I like to think of blessings as results of God's favor being bestowed on us - even when we are undeserving. This quote sounds as though Lewis has earned her blessings and deserves them because she knows how to choose wisely. Apparently, she has been blessed with wisdom to make good choices. I wonder what she did to earn that particular blessing.
Are we truly expected to accept all responsibility for failed relationships and other hardships that we suffer through? If I were to blame myself for all of the hardships and tribulations I have endured in my life the load would be a heavier burden than I could bear. No thank you. While The Simplicity Primer may be helping some readers to live better lives, my hope is that it isn't causing others to suffer from unmerited guilt.
In all fairness, my review may have been more positive had I continued reading. But I could not. Patrice Lewis has no trouble making harsh statements. How about some grace?
March 7, 2020
Like others who’ve reviewed... I hate to leave a bad review. But yeesh. This was rough.
July 6, 2011
Am awarding this author a pretty high rating even though I tend to disagree with some portions of this book. Nicely laid out in daily small essays, this is not so much practical as it is philosophical. The author is clearly an independent thinker, a bit radical in her lifestyle, strongly opinionated about government and religion and the roles that men and women should fill. Whether you like or dislike her philosophy, however, she has clearly declared and accomplished her goal of a simple life though that is not the same as an easy life. She has a "just do it" attitude, and don't expect the govt, employer, or relative bail you out of your situation. It's up to you. I was thinking as I read it that she writes in a similar style to Amy Dacyzyn's "Tightwad Gazette", a big newsletter in the 90s with appearances on many talk shows. Sure enough, toward the end she expressed her admiration of Amy. If a strong-minded woman has an accommodating man, she just might pull off what these two women have: no debt, significant savings, strong influence on their kids, and a way to 'make it' while living in the boonies. Very interesting.
February 10, 2016
Some really great ideas in this book that I think I could do to make my life simpler. But some are not realistic for me and my family at this point in life. Definitely recommend for anyone interested in thought provoking suggestions for simplifying your life!
November 1, 2013
Patrice has a no-nonsense style and some of her observations helped me think outside of my box. Although I do not share many of her religious and political viewpoints, I do appreciate what she and her husband have been able to achieve while being true to their values.
August 19, 2011
The is a brass tacks, back to basics, logical thinking, easy to grasp, to the point, get over it kind of book. I enjoyed every page.
March 19, 2012
Easy to read and good :)
December 15, 2013
Written with a very holier-than-thou attitude that was so hard to take I ended up just skimming and scanning.
November 6, 2015
Lots of repetition, but mostly ok. Some nuggets you will reread but other things are definitely strong, polarising opinions. Not bad!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews