Got a bit boring.

I first was introduced to John O’Donohue’s Anam Ċara from a Mary Oliver Facebook fanpage that had recommended it as similar reading. John O’Donohue was a poet (and philosopher, and priest, amongst other things) but Anam Ċara is not necessarily a work of poetry. Rather, it is a philosophical work on the titular Celtic idea, translating to “soul friend.” O’Donohue explores this concept with regards to friendships and relationships, but later on abstracts into discussing friendship with one’s own body, with aging, and finally death. Though a lot of the language seems kind of new agey, it is not without reason. Initially I was annoyed by truisms like "the heart is the inner face of the soul" because what does that really mean when you think about it? But if you can get past the flowery language, I do think Anam Ċara has a lot of important wisdom that could apply to anyone. Part of me wishes that the book had been more personal, because I do find listening to someone else recount their life usually more applicable than attempts at generalization such as above. For what it’s worth I think he has a lot of good advice, if you can get past sentences like “one of the most sacred duties of one’s destiny is the duty to be yourself.” Was it transformative? Not quite. But I will definitely find myself rereading in the future. 

Took me nearly a year to finish this book and I can safely say it has changed the way I think about a lot of things, or more likely has reaffirmed some things I already think. It’s one I am sure I will be coming back to through the many seasons of my life