Peaceful Persistence, the latest book of Essays by Michael Perry, is an examination of everyday life that expounds on the human existence (excuse the sentence if too heady, but it’s what came out).  I think it’s time for Mr. Perry and myself to admit something. His articles and memoirs are advice/self-help books. Not that he is bossy or direct. He simply says this is how my life goes and I am pretty happy.  And just in case you think I want to be your guru, here are my faults and my mistakes.  He takes the time to inform us he does not have a better grasp on how to live your life than anyone else.

Its advice. Yet like good advice, he lets people come to their own conclusion. His advice is live a life. If you want live your best life, go follow Gwyneth Paltrow.

This is how Mr. Perry’s writing seems to me in this book: Perry picks the topics that hit him as important. He describes it well, being careful not to be too flowery and precious about it. His writing announces I am writing simply and not getting too flowery. Then in the next line he assembles the perfect words with imagery and (at times) assonance.

Perry uses big words when he needs them and everyday language when it calls for it. He is a musician with his music but knows people don’t want to hear the drum solo.

In this book his humor is a dead-on hit for me. And as usual he writes about the experience of living in Wisconsin in a way I want to say it.

PS- I bought the T-Shirt as well at Sneezingcow.com

Peaceful Persistence: Essays On… by Michael Perry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Peaceful Persistence, the latest book of Essays by Michael Perry, is an examination of everyday life that expounds on the human existence (excuse the sentence if too heady, but it’s what came out). I think it’s time for Mr. Perry and myself to admit something. His articles and memoirs are advice/self-help books. Not that he is bossy or direct. He simply says this is how my life goes and I am pretty happy. And just in case you think I want to be your guru, here are my faults and my mistakes. He takes the time to inform us he does not have a better grasp on how to live your life than anyone else.

Its advice. Yet like good advice, he lets people come to their own conclusion. His advice is live a life. If you want live your best life, go follow Gwyneth Paltrow.

This is how Mr. Perry’s writing seems to me in this book: Perry picks the topics that hit him as important. He describes it well, being careful not to be too flowery and precious about it. His writing announces I am writing simply and not getting too flowery. Then in the next line he assembles the perfect words with imagery and (at times) assonance.