Taking Care Book Summary

In 'Taking Care,' Joy Williams weaves a tapestry of interconnected lives grappling with loss and the pursuit of meaning in a disquieting world. Through rich, evocative prose, she explores themes of care, isolation, and the fragile bonds that unite us. Each character offers a glimpse into the complexities of human experience, revealing stark truths about love and responsibility. As they navigate their personal struggles, readers are drawn into deeper reflections on what it truly means to care for oneself and others. Are we nurturing the right connections, or are we simply caretakers of our own loneliness?

By Joy Williams

Published: 1985

""In the quiet spaces between life’s chaos, we find the poignant truths that guide us, reminding us that care is not just an action, but a profound connection to others and to the world itself.""

Book Review of Taking Care

A collection of "uncommonly good stories" (The Chicago Tribune) from a true American master of the short story—disturbing, comic, and moving takes that find deeper meanings in ordinary domestic life. With unforgettable characters, places, and events—a young divorcee, a shared summer home, a troubled family, a wedding, the death of a pet—Williams takes her readers on journey after journey, as only she can.

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"In the quiet spaces between life’s chaos, we find the poignant truths that guide us, reminding us that care is not just an action, but a profound connection to others and to the world itself."

Taking Care

By Joy Williams