Defying Gravity: A Celebration of Late-Blooming Women

by Prill Boyle

Every day, regular women are accomplishing extraordinary things later in life. Prill Boyle gathered the encouraging stories of twelve daring and determined women who accomplished incredible things at an age when most people are beginning to wind down.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting my own journey into "life 2.0" at age 49 made this book a meaningful read for me.

Each story is written in the first person narrative, in the "voice" of the woman being profiled. While this style threw me at first, I quickly came to appreciate hearing her story in her own words, her own voice. It made it very personal.

So much more could have been written about each of these twelve women (thirteen f you count the author), and so many more women's journeys could have been included. Even so, the way Prill Boyle weaves together her personal journey in writing the book with each woman she interviewed feels just right.

One of my favorite quotes in the book is from Ivy Baker Priest, Former U.S. Treasurer...
"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning"

A quick, moving and inspirational book. Highly recommended to women of all ages.

[Anne Witkavitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read "Defying Gravity" I was 43 years old. I had been a full-time graduate student, full-time parent and full-time executive, and somehow managed to complete an M.F.A. in Creative & Professional Writing. The book spoke to me. I, too, believed I was about to bloom again later in life. I had come through life with great resiliency and equal chutzpah and felt I had this. I even published my own award-winning book, a dream of mine post-degree.

I am now 53 years old and read the book for a second time. In the decade in between readings, many unexpected things happened - death, loss, health issues and let's not forget the Great Recession. The expected happened, too, albeit faster than anticipated. My children are now teens. I'm rethinking my interests, my career, my dreams. My mortality feels more tangible. My dreams remain vivid.

"Defying Gravity" is a timeless treasure, a book that keeps doing its thing with each reading. Prill Boyle's voice is simple, clear and inspiring. She captures the voices of these amazing women who continue to inspire me that it's never too late to write the story I want to tell. In fact, perhaps the greatest lesson is that we never really put down our pens - there is too much to tell.

For any woman, any age - this is the perfect summer read as you incubate on beaches, lakes, porches and get ready to defy gravity on your terms. Truly inspirational at any age.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I discovered midway through this book that I had read it previously! (I'm not sure what this says about either me or the book.) I wanted to be inspired -- and I was -- occasionally. The stories too often seemed like extreme examples of women who were unable to fulfill any of their dreams because of terrible upbringings or terrible people in their lives. I also am not inspired by hearing about someone in their mid-thirties who obtains an advanced degree. I am intrigued, however, about the author. She, apparently, never wrote another book, but she has gone on to be a motivational speaker.
I recommend the book as it's a quick read and other readers may be able to find a bit of inspiration in its pages.

[Mahala Helf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prill Boyle represents these women well, concentrating and highlighting the details that individualize them. These stories, though are more history than inspiration to the children of divorce and Title 9 who were expected to do it all, not quietly build their networks in the suburbs, pouring their education & talents into domestic projects. The next generation WAS expected to work AND do the housework.
Hope the next edition has pictures, and that Prill Boyle will write a novel, or at least some short stories.

[Jacqueline Masumian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prill Boyle has done an excellent job capturing the voices of twelve amazing women, many of whom overcame tremendous obstacles to get educated and create fulfilling lives for themselves. The courage they found to embark on new careers in their later years is an inspiration, particularly for older women. Defying Gravity is a very enjoyable read. I would love to have seen photographs of each of these remarkable women; that would have been frosting on the cake.

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A collection of truly inspiring stories about women who persevered against many odds to achieve their dreams, even though they started late in life. Ms Boyle tells their tales with verve and makes them very readable. And the inclusion of entries from her own journal, explaining how she came to write her first book in her late 40's was an added bonus. Highly recommend for women of a certain. age who think they 'can't'...

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The stories were inspiring, and the idea that we can make bold and life-giving choices in our lives as we grow older is one that we all can pay attention to and act on. Why sit down and give up when we are no longer young? Life is still there for those with courage to grab it!