Review by Booklist Review
It goes without saying that Janet Asimov's career has been overshadowed by that of her late husband, sf grand master Isaac Asimov, whose life she recently surveyed in a one-volume abridgment of his tripartite autobiography. Although her primary livelihood is that of a respected New York psychiatrist, her essays and stories in this collection reveal a literary intelligence every bit as sharp as that of her famous spouse. In a score of rambling yet engaging essays, she casts a capacious net over such diverse themes as the importance of imagination in living and writing, her experiences as a psychoanalyst, and the heavyweight topics of religion, philosophy, and sex. Isaac's fans will be pleased by the abundance of amusing anecdotes she tells about him, including reminiscences of the many train rides they took because of his aversion to flying. If the handful of fiction that rounds out the volume mostly echoes motifs of her husband's work, such as robotics and puns, she impresses with her knack for entertaining while informing. --Carl Hays Copyright 2006 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Although a psychiatrist by profession, fiction writer Asimov resists the temptation to over-analyze her relationship with husband Isaac Asimov, the prolific science fiction writer, in this lively nonfiction narrative. Keeping her recollections light and warm, with occasional interjections like, "I stopped listening and kissed him," Asimov focuses on the vitality of her subject. Apart from an occasionally grating know-it-all narrative voice, Asimov's memoir is a readable testament to a happy, productive union between two intelligent and creative individuals. Asimov celebrates the fame of Isaac's career, but also documents smaller successes, prioritizing the colorful?and nearly frivolous?tidbits that characterize their daily life ("I hope no reader of this book minds that I'm including what Isaac called maunderings and potterings. I hope the readers will also see his meaning"). She also takes time to describe her own formative years, her career, and her intense grief following Isaac's death. Readers familiar with Isaac Asimov the writer will enjoy his wife's take on Isaac Asimov the man, from his tireless sense of humor to his extraordinary intellectual capabilities, as well as his unusual role as leading man in a touching love story. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Review by Library Journal Review
Psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and writer Janet J. Asimov (ed., It's Been a Good Life) was married to polymath Isaac Asimov from 1973 until his death in 1992. In this collection of family photographs, fiction, and excerpts from letters never before published, she describes her life with Isaac and her thoughts and ideas about life in general. Isaac was born into a Jewish family and Janet into a Mormon one, and Janet lovingly and carefully describes the couples' differences and similarities here. She shares her thoughts on reading, writing, travel, personal growth, and organized religion. Janet's training as a doctor and psychiatrist are important aspects of her struggle to develop a personal philosophy; her view of personal growth and happiness and the importance of helping people ultimately led her to a humanistic philosophy. Janet's writings about Isaac's death and her resulting grief are poignant and moving. A selection of her short stories concludes the book and highlights many of her ideas. Recommended for popular libraries; a fun read for Isaac Asimov fans.-Gene Shaw, NYPL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and writer Janet J. Asimov (ed., It's Been a Good Life) was married to polymath Isaac Asimov from 1973 until his death in 1992. In this collection of family photographs, fiction, and excerpts from letters never before published, she describes her life with Isaac and her thoughts and ideas about life in general. Isaac was born into a Jewish family and Janet into a Mormon one, and Janet lovingly and carefully describes the couples' differences and similarities here. She shares her thoughts on reading, writing, travel, personal growth, and organized religion. Janet's training as a doctor and psychiatrist are important aspects of her struggle to develop a personal philosophy; her view of personal growth and happiness and the importance of helping people ultimately led her to a humanistic philosophy. Janet's writings about Isaac's death and her resulting grief are poignant and moving. A selection of her short stories concludes the book and highlights many of her ideas. Recommended for popular libraries; a fun read for Isaac Asimov fans.--Gene Shaw, NYPL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
Review by School Library Journal Review
