The Moth Presents: A Point of Beauty: True Stories of Holding On and Letting Go

by The Moth (Editor)

From storytelling phenomenon and hit podcast The Moth, featuring contributions from Elizabeth Gilbert, Quiara Alegría Hudes, and Lin-Manuel Miranda alongside tales of an international rescue mission for Paddington Bear, a family matriarch running numbers in Detroit, an epic Lucha libre showdown in Mexico City, and more. An inspiring and entertaining collection of unforgettable true stories about finding unexpected beauty in life’s transitions.
 
Carefully selected by the creative minds at The Moth and adapted to the page to preserve the raw energy of stories told live, onstage and without notes, readers of The Moth  A Point of Beauty will encounter moments that cut and moments that heal. If we look closely enough, we can find real beauty in moments when our lives change forever—for better or for worse.

Genres: Nonfiction, Short Stories, Essays, Memoir, Adult, Book Club, Writing

400 pages, Hardcover

Published March 19, 2024

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in "The Moth" series I've read. I would give this compilation of stories 4 stars as it was not quite as strong as the other books in the series, all of which were 5 star reads for me. However, there were some wonderful standouts. I felt too many of the stories were pretty similar and that's my reasoning behind the lower score.

This is a better version of the Chicken Soup For The Soul books that were so popular back in the 1990s-2000s. However, as an overall collection, I'd recommend the following:
* The Moth (first book in the series)
* The Moth Presents: All These Wonders: True Stories About Facing the Unknown
* The Moth Presents: Occasional Magic: True Stories About Defying the Impossible
* How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of The Moth podcast so I always enjoy when a new book of stories comes out. I’d heard a few of these told on the podcast so I was familiar with some of the stories. There were a couple of storytellers from here in Portland. Overall an entertaining book.

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made laugh out loud and cry so hard I had to take a break from reading it. Each story is so short but so full of wisdom, emotion, love, beauty, pain, and humanity. A necessary reminder of all the best parts of being alive.

[Emmaline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories are like cookies for your brain

[Will H · Rating 5 out of 5]

“They voiced that approval with wallets that had been emptied in this farm crisis. They didn’t give to me from their surplus, they gave to me from their hearts.”

This book made me cry and laugh, and I can’t wait to tell everyone in my life about it. If you’re getting back into non-fiction I’m begging you to read this because I’m so glad I did. Thanks for the recommendation Grace!!!!

[Willa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read all previous Moth books this one was beyond disappointing. There are some gems in here, but they're few and far between. If you want to be lectured about how great being trans is (there are at least 4 trans stories included), or read about angry black women, or even how abortion can save a life, then this one is for you. As for me, I'm done with the Moth books.

[Amanda Jackman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love The Moth but this book was pretty disappointing. 3 stars because there were definitely some good & touching stories that I enjoyed, but overall there was too much political commentary and not as much variety in topic. It’s definitely not as strong as previous books from The Moth.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this Moth collection didn’t seem like it had the same magic to it as the other collections, some of the stories really did move me. Initially I was thinking this was a 3.5/5 until I read the last story, “Home” which to me was SO good I rounded up to 4/5.

[Kristi LaFollette · Rating 5 out of 5]

In true "The Moth" form, there isn’t an ounce of cynicism in this book. The storytelling covers broad terrain- from Michael Fischer’s humanizing piece about seeking medical care during his incarceration to Phil Wang’s hilarious telling of his foray into theater as a kid with a lisp. Every one of these stories left me with something to think about and a couple left me in tears. I frequently found myself thinking “(insert name of friend/coworker/relative) would love this one!” A couple selections didn’t seem to translate quite as well onto paper- a heavy-handed ending here and there, or narration falling a bit flat without the comedic timing an audio performance affords. Overall, though, this is a great collection!

*I received an early uncorrected proof from publisher (via goodreads)

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book I’ve read by The Moth org! “It’s Your Job to Hold Your Baby” by Warren Holleman was my favorite story. Honorable mention to “Finding My Place” by Ivan McClellan (ab Black cowboys and rodeo culture), “Chasing the Good Notes” by Quiara Alegría Hudes, and “Home” by Alistair Bane

I always strongly recommend these books to others man.. They’re so good! Although the other two I’ve read were better I’d say

[Hannah Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book from The Moth that I’ve read. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into but I absolutely loved it! It’s a fantastic collection of stories written by people from all walks of life. I was both heart warmed and heart broken all wrapped into one. It’s a touching reminder to not take anything for granted, to make an effort to grow from hardship, and to spread joy and forgiveness to others when you can.

[Arianna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading through the stories! It was a a great book to read over time because each of the stories is so small (5 minutes, told out loud) and the editor did a fantastic job of selecting them. Definitely makes me want to go to more Moth events. Also interesting, I watched a documentary sometime in the reading of this book about one of the authors (he had been wrongfully convicted, which is what the documentary focused on) and randomly realized that I knew him from this book. That was a cool real life connection!

[Sarah Bailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst of the moth books IMO :/

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of disappointment compared to All These Wonders.

[Zumrud Huseynova · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subtitle “True Stories of Holding On and Letting Go” resonated with all of us. These stories help us see how we may find beauty in strengthening frayed bonds but also in having the courage to walk away from things that no longer feed our spirit; in admitting that some things may just not be meant for us, and at times it’s essential to prune dead branches if a tree is going to bloom again in the spring.

There’s an African proverb that says, “Until the lion learns to write, the hunter will be glorified in every story.”

If I was going to survive, I was going to need to be brave.

Somebody once told me, and I wish to God that I had got it sooner, that there is no such thing as a dying person; there are living people and there are dead people. And as long as somebody is alive—as long as they have any sentience or sense about them—you have to expect and allow them to be who they have always been. Never more important than at the end of somebody’s life that they get to be who they are and who they always were.

[fpk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened upon this book recently, when a Facebook friend posted its cover. I was immediately intrigued; my sister used to go to storytelling shows in California years ago. She’d even presented a few times at one of these shows.
So I thought I’d get this out of the library: a book with stories originally told orally at storytelling presentations. They’re edited for printing, but it didn’t take away at all, for me, from their greatness. I LOVE hearing people’s stories. It’s one of the reasons I read memoirs so often. I like to hear how people from all over the world deal with life. These stories are great. I think my favorite one was towards the end, told by Ossie Davis’ daughter, Hasna Muhammad, Swimmer Girl.
There are several other storytelling books out from The Moth. I ended up buying them all! These are the kinds of stories to be read over again, they’re that good.
Highly recommend!

[CybercrrEDU · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I'd like to start of by saying that this book made me uncomfortable. It made me cry, it made me angry, and I felt shattered at points. For this alone it deserves a 5 star rating. This book's collection of stories really challenged my perspective on the world.

I love that these stories aren't cynical. It's easy to be cynical when you have trauma. I would know. It's refreshing and it taught me to reframe my thinking.

I grew up rather sheltered because of my cult upbringing. Reading a book like this has enabled me to see people in a different light and see their struggles. I thought I'd seen people already as in that I saw them as another human being in their wholeness, but sadly only narrowly because of that upbringing. I wasn't aware of my blind spots.

The stories range from young to old, of different races and ethnicities, cultures, upbringings, genders, and sexuality, as well as circumstances like dying, incarceration, losing children, family, freedom, immigration, and even soldiers to activists. Essentially everything that makes us fundamentally human both messy and wonderful.

Having just barely been exposed to this brand. I find myself another fan added to it's ranks. I thank everyone who shared their vulnerability with me through stories and hope that they know it doesn't go unappreciated. I'm looking forward to reading more from The Moth and will be getting their other books.

As an aside, this makes a great book for slow reading as you don't have to binge it. You can pick a story a day or two and mull over it. I did that. I felt like this approach makes it more worth while because you can really think and expand on those things that catch you off guard.

Thank you for the copy of the arc read. I will cherish it!

[James Veliky · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ We are all here to walk each other home.”
- Ram Dass

If you are unfamiliar with “The Moth”. These are short true personal stories that have been delivered orally on stages throughout the country and have been transcribed to the page. These are stories of connection,loss, personal discovery, acceptance and rejection. A young black woman who has been given the job as a plantation tour guide in the Deep South. A defiant woman who gets thrown out of hospice( who gets thrown out of hospice??). A young woman who finds she has a twin sister after many years. Some of these stories will stay with you for a long time. The very last, titled” Home”, nearly broke me in half.
Thank you to Megan Bowles, Catherine Burns, and the storytellers.
You are great.

[Jaclyn Gruenbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book presented by The Moth that I’ve read. Enjoyed some stories more than others. A few that really stuck with me: Sandy Hook, the stuffed animal hostage, pregnant transgender man. Very very moving.

[Derek Domino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book I have read in 10+ years. So many powerful stories. I could only read one or two at a time because they were that powerful, and I also didn’t want to finish it, I wanted it to last longer

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really powerful stories here, a very unique book.

[Helen Young Kouba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all The Moth books (and their podcast). An encouraging collection of stories for this moment in time.

Though, I did find a few errors between the live stories (found online) and the transcripts in this book. For example, in the last story, the Barbie doll was gone, which makes more sense. 😊

[Michelle Nakagawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say the stories in this book are inspirational would not be doing them justice. I believe that in some cases, they could be lifesavers.

[Ashley Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

oopsie forgot this existed but of course i adore the moth & everything it has to offer

[Danielle Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating collection of stories. They are like potato chips. I kept thinking “I’ll just read ONE more.” And I’d finish that one and I’d think “I’ll just read ONE more…”. This compilation seems more social justice oriented than the previous Moth books. My favorite stories in this collection were the one about the Kennedys, the feedlot calves, the plantation tour guide, the Native American at the motel, and the very best one in my opinion - it’s your job to hold your baby!

[Caroline Sarpy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chicken soup for the soul

[Ari Sweatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

there are some really great stories in this book, HOWEVER I think making this required reading for college freshman is insane. There were lots of sensitive subjects that I did not know about going into this. Very heavy stuff.

[sams · Rating 4 out of 5]

ty amanda for this book! loved it! 🥹

[Maddie Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, the problem with rating this is that there are a few stories from this collection that I really adored. But, a lot of the stories felt very similar, and I did get a little bored at times. When you sit down and read a couple stories, they do start to blend together. It also felt like the stories chosen has a very political message, which, is not my favorite. It's fine if a story is political, but when the whole book message feels political? Not why I choose to read.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

What wonderful stories

The Moth Radio is a gem and how wonderful they are curating and publishing some of the best stories. You won’t be disappointed - there is something for every person to connect with.