Easy Beauty: A Memoir Hardcover – April 5, 2022

Brilliant, moving, inspiring, transformative. Read it and leap!

I was struck by author’s ability to take insults and criticism and dissociate from the experience. She apparently neutralized the negative with such facility and skill. But, through the course of the book she realized it’s effect and eventually conquered this insidious and habitual response. So rather than dissociate from her emotional reaction she learned, and taught us, how to depersonalize peoples commentary. We see that the power is not in the outward gaze of the observer but one’s inner experience. We all have our own wounds and self-centeredness that loom large in our minds, but we need to remember that we’re merely small parts of a whole. She found this perspective to be the easy beauty…in contrast to the start of the book, there is no proportion to be measured or aesthetic analysis to be made.

Chloé Cooper Jones demonstrates such vulnerability, generosity, and talent in these pages, it is truly remarkable. Her life has been singular and the story is compelling and funny and moving, but it is her depth of knowledge, her understanding of people, and her truly remarkable prose that makes this book truly singular. A great first book by a great writer that I'd recommend to anyone.

Long after finishing this soulful, penetrating memoir, images and insights continue to send roots into my subconscious. Chloë Cooper Jones has a rare talent to take the reader to places we'll likely never visit and make us cringe and cheer along with her, all the while continually challenging our notions of beauty. I'm recommending this book to my book group and to friends who appreciate the craft of a well-written book. The Roger Federer chapter, among others, blew me away.

Although I raised a child born with spina bifida I am still learning about physically challenged people. One of the joys of this book is the author’s travel stories. They are so true to me that I realize how true and real the rest of her writing is about her everyday life. Great humor and insight from a very beautiful person.

A book with many layers. Read it for the beautiful and unique prose, the storytelling, the humor, the travel, the characters, the insight into disability. So much to absorb, so much to edify, so much to enjoy.

I like the book. Not what I expected.

Received the book very fast, and it was in great condition.