In the journal, Sarton describes one year of her life spent in a town called Nelson in New Hampshire. Journal of a Solitude is a journal written during the early ’70s by May Sarton. A few days back I decided to start reading it and I finished reading it today. Whatever the nature of the truth, the title appealed to me, and I kept it aside for a quiet day. Or maybe someone mentioned it and it was there in the back of my mind when I stumbled upon it.

Maybe I stumbled upon it, during one of my browsing sessions on Kindle books. Which is odd, because I always remember how I discover a book. I can’t remember how I discovered May Sarton’s ‘ Journal of a Solitude’. The value of solitude - one of its values - is, of course that there is nothing to cushion against attacks from within, just as there is nothing to help balance at times of particular stress or depression. Going through the book, one cannot help wondering if it takes a tortured soul for art to come its manifestation. Sarton also candidly talks about her contemporary, Virginia Woolf. Her pursuit of solace and creativity and her craving for human compassion and intimacy tug at her in opposite directions. Journal of a Solitude also touches upon numerous topics like art, poetry, and the author’s struggle to establish herself as a female artist. This phase also marks the bitter end of her love relationship. The book is a genuine attempt at finding her inner anchor as she goes about her everyday activities.Īt the same time, Sarton also explores her depression, inner fears, apprehensions, and her frustration over unresolved anger and the glories she is yet to achieve. She reflects on her life in seclusion through this since account of her daily routine as well as her relationship with her pets, neighbors and the occasional visitor. Journal of a Solitude relates the events that occurred over the one year that Sarton spent in the quiet, idyllic village of Nelson, New Hampshire, far away from the city humdrum.

May sarton solitude