March 21, 2005
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MONDAY BOOKThe Survival of Jan Little
by John ManI would never have discovered this book if I hadn’t thought I might join a book club for the first time in my life over at the college where I did my freshman year many a moon ago. I had second thoughts about reading by deadline and never went but I checked which book they were reading at the time and this was it. How they ever picked this I can’t imagine as it’s such an obscure biography by an English author that you can find very few real references to it on the web. I had to scan this photo from the book where the quality wasn’t that good to begin with. I almost hesitated to blog about it because I get kind of distressed just reading it. To quote a review:
This book tells the harrowing experiences of a woman who endured almost lethal psychological and physical travails during her married life, homesteading in the Amazon jungle, and who finally, despite being blind and deaf, overcame the tragedy of the death of both her husband and daughter and survived her environment as well as her terrible isolation. The focal point of the story is the period following her husband and daughter’s deaths, when Jan Little found the strength and competence, despite her handicaps and ill health, to keep going until she was rescued. But her psychological survival during 20 years of marriage to an emotionally dominating, fanatical man is equally amazing. The book, which is written by a filmmaker and journalist, can be read on many levels, and the life of this extraordinarily brave women should appeal to a wide audience.
I’m only midway through the book but what astounds me all along is how this woman, who is clearly intelligent and resourceful, manages to submit her will and life to a truly abusive man and follow him with her daughter into such clearly dangerous situations deep in the heart of Nowhere (in South America). Never does it seem to occur to her to just up and leave him. I’ve met and known my share of Charming Villains in my life, so I really can kind of follow how it begins if you don’t have a strong course of your own. I guess it can work the other way round too – men can bury their souls in a ruthless woman’s life as well. Either way, it always ends the same – with wreckage and grief. What is interesting is that both this woman and her husband were obsessed with living a life of “voluntary simplicity,” a life many of us look at with great interest. In these days of war and greed and corruption, who doesn’t think of escaping to an island paradise, the frozen North, or even the middle of some jungle. I guess it’s important if you do, whether it’s even to your own backyard, that you choose your companions for the journey carefully.
Deep Thought: “As I walked through the woods, I looked up and saw a squirrel. I smiled and he smiled. At least I think it was a smile. My teeth were showing and my cheeks were pulled up. That’s a smile, isn’t it? (The squirrel was definitely smiling.)”
Today I am grateful for: Having my wits about me – I think
Guess the Movie: “Me? I’m dishonest, and a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest. Honestly. It’s the honest ones you want to watch out for, because you can never predict when they’re going to do something incredibly… stupid.” Answer: Pirates of the Caribbean, 2003.
Winner: Madame_L.
U.S. Rallies Mark Iraq Anniversary, Reflect Anti-War Groups’ Growth, Challenges
by Abid Aslam
WASHINGTON — Tens of thousands of protesters rallied in cities and towns across America over the weekend to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and to demand that U.S. troops stationed there be brought home. (Rest of article here.)
End of Day: 9:15 pm
+ = Spring rocks.
- = Congress is taking over the World.
Comments (14)
Pirates of the Caribbean!
The mindset of a woman who continues in an abusive relationship (on whatever level the abuse happens) is an amazing thing. The psychology of denial deserves at least a whole year of special training for therapists, I think. Working at the Center for Women and Families, I was constantly stunned at how the women, many of them sporting bruises and broken bones or deep emotional wounds and scars, could still rationalize staying with the monsters to whom they had been attached. Did you know that the *number one* cause of death and injury to women in the US is domestic violence?
I found my own little island right here in my living room. Living in the woods (been there, done that, wouldn’t wish it on anyone) sucks (my apologies to those who think the wilderness is paradise – to each his or her own.)
T
You got it Captain Jack. Yes, I can imagine that living in the woods would be hard having grown up on a farm years ago.
I am firm believer that we select our paths long before we arrive, therefore it doesn’t surprise me that those two would meet up and mate. However, I wonder if it was just to leave us with this diddy of a book you are reading.
It’s a shame when personalities combine in a bad way like that. There’s got to be a word for it, but I can’t think of it.
Indeed, it does pay to choose one’s companions wisely. It can take a lot of living to even become aware of that concept. Remember hearing, “You’ve made your bed and now you’ve got to lie in it?” One day it occurred to me that there was wisdom in CHANGING THE SHEETS!
I too have sanctuary in our living room–tonight when a handful of us gather by candlelight, a stick or two of incense, an invitation to Holy Spirit-Wisdom-Sophia to be present. Intention: to neither ask or expect, but to HOPE for heightened AWAREness of Creator’s enveloping Presence and Unconditional Love.
And, there is simplicity in that.
I appreciated your comments last week. Thanks! Be blessed and shine!
Wow, I just realized how grainy this photo is on a PC when I came to work. At home on my Mac it’s better. I may try to fix it later.
Funny deep thought. Regarding your comment, no quotes on yesterday’s blog (if that’s what you were referring to).
I just heard there was a bad wind storm down there! Did you get it? Gresham always has notoriously bad wind.
Hope you are well!
How are the critters doing?
hey, it’s been nuts. just saying hi, I’ll be back
As curious as I am about the book I think it would be too hard for me to read.
Thanks for the recommendation. It sounds like a wonderful read.
Thanks for the review… sounds interesting.
Congress is sooooo taking over the world. ::sigh::
Oh joy, another reason to love you! A fellow Mac user!
T, Mac Evangelista