What Would Maisie Do?: A Companion to the Best-Selling Maisie Dobbs Series – Timeless Wisdom and Inspiration for Fans

Maisie Dobbs

by Jacqueline Winspear

A one-of-a-kind illustrated companion to the best-selling Maisie Dobbs series, which invites readers into the beloved heroine’s world—and shares her wisdom and inspiration. Through fourteen books, the Maisie Dobbs series has had a resounding impact on fans. Readers have shared with author Jacqueline Winspear how Maisie’s stories have resonated with them or helped them through difficult times. Fans have been inspired by the heroine’s resilience and endurance, repurposing her strength in their own lives in a way perhaps best embodied by the phrase “What Would Maisie Do?” Anchored by thirty of Maisie's most timeless quotes, coupled with Jacqueline Winspear’s inspiration for each nugget of wisdom, these reflections offer readers additional insight into the world of Maisie Dobbs and invite them to reflect on favorite moments and memories. Here are just a On the value of “Liking a person we are required to have dealings with is not of paramount importance. But respect is crucial, on both sides, as is tolerance and a depth of understanding of those influences that sculpt a character.” On “Grief is a pilgrimage along a path that allows us to reflect upon the past from points of remembrance held in the soul. At times the way is filled with stones underfoot and we feel pained by our memories, yet on other days the shadows reflect our longing and those happinesses shared.” On the importance of “Leaving that which you love breaks your heart open. But you will find a jewel inside, and this precious jewel is the opening of your heart to all that is new and all that is different, and it will be the making of you—if you allow it to be.” The perfect supplement to the Maisie Dobbs series, What Would Maisie Do? also features the iconic jacket art that has graced the series, as well as period photographs and prompts for readers' own observations and inspiration—making this a unique journal that fans will turn to and treasure for years to come.        

Genres: Nonfiction, Mystery, Self Help, World War II

176 pages, Paperback

Published March 26, 2019

About the author

Jacqueline Winspear was born and raised in the county of Kent, England. Following higher education at the University of London’s Institute of Education, Jacqueline worked in academic publishing, in higher education and in marketing communications in the UK.

She emigrated to the United States in 1990, and while working in business and as a personal / professional coach, Jacqueline embarked upon a life-long dream to be a writer.

A regular contributor to journals covering international education, Jacqueline has published articles in women's magazines and has also recorded her essays for KQED radio in San Francisco. She currently divides her time between Ojai and the San Francisco Bay Area and is a regular visitor to the United Kingdom and Europe.

Jacqueline is the author of the New York Times bestsellers A Lesson in Secrets, The Mapping of Love and Death, Among the Mad, and An Incomplete Revenge, and other nationally bestselling Maisie Dobbs novels. She has won numerous awards for her work, including the Agatha, Alex,
and Macavity awards for the first book in the series, Maisie Dobbs, which was also nominated for the Edgar Award for best novel and was a New York Times
Notable Book.

Series:
* Maisie Dobbs

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jacque...

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This was great. I hadn’t been in a rush to read it. I expected it to be a filler book and in a way it was and in a way it was its own thing too.

This is almost as much a journal as a book and ideally should be owned rather than borrowed. A lot of space on the pages is for readers/users to pen their own thoughts. This would make a great gift for a Maisie Dobbs fan who likes quotes and journaling. I can see it being used as a useful therapeutic tool also, using it either on one’s own or in a group setting. If I owned the book I would still use my own paper and pen (or keyboard) to do the written exercises. That way I could do them again & again and I can see the usefulness of doing them multiple times. Even though I wouldn’t write in the book I’d want to own it. A library copy just isn’t the same thing, unless one is in the mood to use the entire workbook within the borrowing period, without feeling pressure to finish.

This book can be read in a jiffy but it took me a lot of extra time because I took the time to like more quotes on Goodreads, as I knew I would. I also found myself pondering what the author said as I read and I enjoyed being reminded of the Maisie books.

I enjoyed the author’s personal stories and musings. I love her honesty and loved seeing how her own life led to writing the Maisie books. I loved the passages about nature, London history, and all the psychological/philosophical contemplation.

I greatly appreciated the included old photographs and pictures, and I think that most fans of the book series (or interested in the history of those times and places) would also be happy to see them.

I’ve read all of Jacqueline Winspear's books except her autobiography This Time Next Year We'll Be Laughing. That one is on my to read list and I’d like to get to it. I also can’t wait for Maisie Dobbs #18!

Highly recommended for all Maisie fans and for some other readers too.

4-1/2 stars

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be clear, the Maisie Dobbs series of books is one of my most favorite series of books. They are intelligent and thoughtful, while creating a mystery that is always intriguing and enjoyable. I had high hopes for all of my favorite profound and thought provoking passages to be all in one place in this book. How naive of me to imagine that someone, even the author, would be inside my head and see and know what resonated and touched my own specific heart. I couldn’t help but be disappointed and wonder where were MY passages? And how did I miss that half this book would be blank journaling pages?

Three stars for simply being about Maisie, and for some of the personal insights shared by the author who created such a beloved series. But, really, I just need a blank notebook, and to re-read all the books again, copying out those poignant passages that brilliantly spoke profound truths, and then I will have the book I had hoped for.

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me want to read the series again. It has the same tone, style, and nuggets of wisdom. In fact, that's the point of this book - quotes from the Maisie Dobbs books containing thought-provoking gems about life. Topics include acceptance, listening, grieving, peace, wisdom, and more. The format of the book is a quote from one of the Maisie novels and then a page or so of explanation and discussion, with another page for you to offer your written reflections on the quote and how you can apply the wisdom to your life. Sort of like a journal. I think you wouldn't even need to have read the series to enjoy this little inspirational book. But you should absolutely read the series (in order) as you will most definitely enjoy it!

[Gaby Meares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a fan of Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs novels? Well then this is for you! Its a companion to the series, containing many quotes from the books, with Winspear extrapolating on the inspiration for these nuggets of wisdom, together with plenty of space for the reader to jot down their own thoughts.
This is a book to own, so you can use it as a journal, reflecting on your own insights inspired by the quotes. It would make an ideal gift for a fan of Maisie Dobbs.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d only gave this 4.5 stars because I wish I had my own to write in, haha! This beautiful journal shares lots of details from the author about the characters in the Maisie Dobbs series, how they came to be, photos of actual places in the stories, and beloved quotes that have stirred her readers in many ways. Winspear gives the back story to these memorable quotes and then asks the reader to ponder it themselves. Loved it.

[Shauna Ludlow Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to read in a boat as my husband fished for hours.

I wanted more quotes and thoughts from Maisie’s books and the author!

I journaled a few experiences of my own on the blank pages.

This will be a good discussion book at my meeting tomorrow night as we review “To Die But Once” (#14).

[Rona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork, a nice reflection of the author!s thoughts, a journey back through the series.

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Loved Loved it!!!!

[Dawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisie Dobbs is one of my favorite literary characters - possibly my very most favorite. For sure she is the one character I would most like to be. Winspear is a splendid author with a rich understanding of human nature. This book on reflection & inspiration features quotes from different books within the series. It is delightful, as well as insightful. An additional little treasure from Winspear.

[Connie Hirsch]

Not rated, as I didn't read enough -- it's a self-help kind of notebook things with inspirational quotes from the books, which is nice, but not what I was hoping for -- I somehow thought it would be a social history of the 20s and 30s, with pictures of the cars and clothes and houses that Maisie encounters and so on.

The historical setting of the books is a real pleasure, I find myself putting the books down often to look up what a car or china pattern looks like, or reading up on side characters who turn out to be real historical people instrumental in airplane development or whatever.

[Kathie Punturiero · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great accompaniment to the Maisie series. I read through the text provided by the author. I am going to read the series again and use this book as I read.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the refresher of all of the books in this series. For those that like to take notes or write down their thoughts, there are ample blank pages to do so.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maisie Dobbs grew from a 12-year-old who lost her mother and was sent into service by her loving father, to become a complete person who could help others, while solving mysteries. In the 18 books she lived from before the Great War to after World War II, living, learning and loving throughout. This book came out after book 15, but the rest are equally as interesting and full of interesting characters and challenges.
What Would Maisie Do is a question that many people have taken on as a challenge in their own lives. Author Jacqueline Winspear has put together a book of 30 thoughts from the books with her own observations as to how she came to write that and how Maisie has impacted her own life in making her be thoughtful, and how readers' letters to her make her realize how real and helpful Maisie can be.
The book also leaves a few pages for readers to enter their own responses to the challenges. I read a library book, which did not have anybody's writings but a person who owned a copy of the book could treat it as a way of looking at the world and at the people and situations around them.
Recommended.

[Sonia Schoenfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarely do I recommend a book that I didn't finish, but What Would Maisie Do? is one of them.

This book is really delightful. Jacqueline Winspear, who writes the Maisie Dobbs series, has picked out salient quotations from the books in her series and then some "meditations," for want of a better word.

For example, Winspear shares, "I know you will comport yourself with excellence in the face of such a change in circumstances," from The Mapping of Love and Death. Then she writes a few lines about When Circumstances Change, talking about the context of the Maisie quote and then adding a few thoughts of her own before giving the read time to reflect and journal.

This would be a great gift book for anyone who is a fan of Maisie Dobbs. Lots of good insights and food for thought here. Read a section at a time, with a cup of tea in a quiet comfortable spot, when you have time for honest introspection.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a unique format; I had not seen it before! The author melds her former career of a personal/professional life coach, with highlighting Maisie Dobbs' readers favorite quotes from the different books.
What I liked the most is that she shares her personal basis for those quotes, the context of her life that she used for the fictional character of Maisie Dobbs. (Gotta remind myself every now and then that Maisie is a fictional character:-)
After she tells all of this, she poses a question to the reader to ponder, including blank, lined pages to for personal writing and reflection. As I borrowed this from the library, I didn't write in the book! I thought about writing separately, but gonna say, her questions weren't burning, or unanswered questions for me. Which is probably why I gave it a "four" instead of a "five".
A cool format though!

[Debbie Roby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Louise Penny and her heroine, Maisie Dobbs, in the many books she has written about this intrepid, spunky lady psychologist and detective in the England of the past. Maisie first appeared in WWI, and readers have followed her through the years of world depression and into WWII, where we have learned much about Maisie herself and the time in history when she lived. This particular book is a departure----not a novel with another Maisie tale, but rather inspiration and answers to questions about how Maisie would handle different situations and problems that might arise for the reader. It is an interesting way of looking at problems from Maisie's perspective. It was interesting, but I enjoy the novels much better than this offering.

[Lynetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love paper. It comes in so many colors, weights, sizes. The person who developed this book has my respect for finding fabulous families of color. The format is a statement my Maisie Dobbs, Explication by her creator Jacqueline Winspear and then several lined pages for the reader to record their impressions. I do love quotes, but these are not appealing to me.

I Maisie's character in the two books I've read and felt great dismay for the soldiers and nurses in WWI as well as those eternally maimed and in pain because of Winspear's details.

I'm glad I looked at it, loved the paper selection.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent companion to the Maisie Dobbs series. Jaqueline Winespear links various quotes from her novels with philosophic musings that correlate perfectly. The book is presented as a journal, so the reader can reflect on the postings in their own hand. With illustrations from the series along with historic photographs, Winespear has created a period piece that is perfect for the writer, profound philosopher, and lover of a character who captivates one’s heart. 5 cups of PerspicaciTEA with a watercress sandwich.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Maisie Dobbs series by J. Winspear. This book was filled with amazing quotes about important human character, morals and emotions from the various books with the author's perspective. It is also filled with beautiful artwork and encourages the reader to contemplate, interpret & apply the imparted wisdom. Might not be meaningful to those unfamiliar with Maisie Dobbs.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a placeholder review. While checking out Winspear's memoir, I noticed this book and checked it out from the library. Juxtaposing quotations from the mystery novels with "interpretations" from the author followed by blank pages for journaling means this is a book for owning, so I have ordered it. When I have worked my way through it, I will add to this review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An illustrated companion to the Maisie Dobb’s series, shares wisdom and insight from the author.
Readers have shared how Maisie’s stories resonated with them or helped them through difficult times.
These reflections offer reader’s insight into the complex world of Maisie Dobbs. Quick read, throughly enjoyed

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything Maisie is always instructive, deeply emotional and enjoyable. I’ve read the entire series to date and not a bummer in the 17 novels. This journaling compilation of quotes, historical photos and drawings was a pleasant revisit to those novels. Maisie is like family to me and I will always be grateful to the book club member who recommended the first in this series years ago.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food for thought. Companion journal to the Maise Dobbs series by this author. I haven't read the series, but that's ok. This book was interesting in it's own right. Going to pt this series on my want to read list.

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A companion book to the Maisie Dobbs series with many questions and plenty of room to write your own answers and thoughts on different topics taken directly from the stories or Jacqueline Winspear's personal experiences.

[Rachelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

A combination reflection book and journal. The idea is to think about key passages from the Maisie books, then reflect on indidents in your own life. I checked my book out from the library so didn't do any of the written reflections, but liked the concept.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely collection of favorite quotes of the author & readers from the wonderful historical fiction mystery series, Maisie Dobbs. The book & illustrations are beautiful as well as the quotes & their origin & backstory.

I did not take the opportunity to journal.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meant more for aspiring writers or journalers. Interesting to look at though.

[Barbara A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light- hearted compilation. Easy to navigate a sand dip into at will. A treat for fans. Great for gifting to other friends of Maisie.

[Gail Bruhm]

tried but could not finish it

[Megan Easley-Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Maisie Dobbs. If you're a fan like me, this book of inspiration may be of interest to you.