The author Natalie Goldberg says the title of this book comes from the analects of Confucius and refers to an old friend coming to visit as do the memories. What impresses the reader, however, is more than the instruction of writing a memoir; it is learning to look deep into one's subconscious life, and through that process, getting in touch with the entire creation.

In the introduction, Goldberg says a memoir was what the older people used to write, but a looking into a life can begin as soon as possible, in teens, in twenties, or at any time one can, because always, “You’ve got something to say.” Then she urges the reader in “Note to Reader” as: “Too often, we take notes on writing, we think we are writing but never do it. I want you to walk into the heart of the storm, written words dripping off hair, eyelids, hanging from hands.” When one reads on chapter after chapter, prompt after prompt, one cannot imagine any writer who can resist her petition.

This book is rich with prompts; although, it cannot be classified as only a book of prompts. After an explanation of a theme or a topic, with passionate urging by Goldberg, ten-minute prompts are offered. Some prompts can be as short as one or two sentences while others are explained with a few pages of beautiful prose. The book is divided into ten sections, and a test writing of three-minute exercises is provided in the beginning of each section. At the end of the book are two and a half pages of “Guidelines and Suggestions for Writing a Memoir” and a list of “Some Great Memoirs to Read.”

When following Goldberg along through one's writing, one feels that this kind of writing can become therapy with sharing, letting go, and feeling alive. Even more than that, the writer may discover that his writing has gained voice and lost its constrictions, quieting and appeasing the critic inside himself.

any writer to learn how to open up, no matter what genre or type he or she prefers to write in.

the author's passionate enthusiasm to make writers search within themselves to gain their own voices. The prompts and the advice, actually everything about this book, are very valuable.

write to every prompt in it. And, I will.

Natalie Goldberg is the author of numerous books, including Writing Down the Bones, Wild Mind, Banana Rose, The Great Failure: My Unexpected Path to Truth, Long Quiet Highway, Living Color, Chicken & in Love, The Essential Writer’s Notebook and Top of My Lungs: Poems and Paintings, and the Essay "How Poetry Saved My Life.” She has completed a film, Tangled Up in Bob: Searching for Bob Dylan, with filmmaker Mary Feidt, exploring the effect of the Iron Range, Dylan's childhood home. Natalie Goldberg lives and teaches in Santa Fe, NM.

Honesty in writing is something to be learned and practiced. Old Friend from Far Away teaches that honesty while giving tips and showing ways of looking into one's self and memories.

With this book, after starting to do the exercises as I went along, I couldn't help but put my writing aside; then, I read the book from cover to cover, because the writer’s expression was so heartfelt and passionate. As I did with Goldberg's earlier books, I am sure I will end up having not just one but several copies of this book. I strongly believe Old Friend from Far Away is a priceless addition to any writer’s bookshelf and life.

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Created Mar 13, 2008 at 12:50am • Submit your own review...