| Candy for the Soul | 
 enlarge | Buy New: $0.49
Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 4 reviews)
Sales Rank: 730430
Category: Book
Author: Danielle Steel
Publisher: Amazon.com
Studio: Amazon.com
Manufacturer: Amazon.com
Label: Amazon.com
Language: English (Published)
Media: Digital
Pages: 13
ASIN: B000A0F6KO
Publication Date: June 21, 2005
Release Date: June 21, 2005
Availability: Available for download now
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Product Description
For me, there is always something simultaneously humorous and poignant about daily life. Just when I want to rip my hair out, a child touches my heart; just when I am laughing hardest, someone makes me cry, and just when I give up all hope that life will ever be sane, someone gives me a hug, and it all makes sense again. The roller coaster ride of life, a constant potion of heartbreak, happiness, laughter and tears. I tried to share my own experiences with that in "Candy for the Soul".
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| Customer Reviews:
 Candy for the Soul September 7, 2007
I never received the requested document--
All attempts to fill my paid for request were for naught--
 The Sweet Tooth Spirit. Hurt till you laugh. Laugh till it hurts. November 26, 2006
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I was surprised that Danielle Steel likes Erma Bombeck. I do, but I'm not what anyone would call refined. No insult is implied to Erma or Danielle about terms of refinement. I'd bet Erma nurtures no craving for that state of confinement. Steel wrote about Bombeck:
>> She somehow managed to render the trite and tiresome moments of family and domestic life into visuals that had me in hysterics, and laughing so loud that people stared. <<
The sensitive honesty in this bare statement gives a sample of the tang in CANDY:
>> My childhood wasn't particularly funny. <<
I wondered how a prolific novelist had time to do this for her children: >> I have spent a lifetime making sure that their childhoods would be happy, and different from mine. <<
With unadorned candor Danielle Steel explained how she did that, opening several windows into her personal and professional life. I had read an autobiography in which Steel explained that she "closeted" herself in her room when writing a novel, and that her family delivered food "under the door." This Amazon Short gave a different angle there, especially about early "hidden" years of Ms. Steel's career.
Liked this statement: >> Once you observe it, and laugh about it---why not do something useful with it, and write about it? <<
Sensitivity to "political incorrectness" exposed feisty fumes: >> I became an adult at a time when it was not politically correct to have children. In fact, it was considered downright irresponsible (to the planet) and tacky (to one's peers). <<
Steel's nutshell of her essence and vulnerability: >> ... couldn't believe that anyone would actually pay me to do anything I loved doing so much. My main focus, first love, and day job was my family. Writing was my passion. <<
This Amazon Short exposed Danielle as human, in addition to being a hard-working writer committed to the roles of mother and wife. The heated prose highlighted who she has been, is, and always will be.
Readers with starry eyes might cringe to look through this unpolished glass into the bare reality of a writer. Some of us fantasize about the "rich, heady life" of being a novelist. Many aspire to that lifestyle. Few simply desire to sit down, daily, and write, and write, and write for hours trailing hours, no matter what has to be sacrificed (the sacrifice is usually of sleep or "leisure").
Born-to-be authors not only want to sit down daily and write, and write, and write; they need to do that.
Stood up and cheered at this following of heart (even though it wasn't my path): >> Not only did I break all the rules by having children and a career, but I had a lot of them, and went on having them for twenty years. Talk about blissful excess! I was never happier in my life. <<
A pleasantly warming shock: >> ... now they're grown ups (and I wish they weren't, and were still at home and in school!). <<
Fascinating irony: >> I'm not sure I ever had time to comb my hair except while sitting for the photographs on the back of my books. The rest of the time, I couldn't even find my comb. <<
This was not at all what I had expected from the title of this Short, nor from the sophistication reeking from this author's book jacket photos, nor from the substance in her novels. But, I was touched by this appealingly loose, unedited style which felt as if it had been written from the speeding soul of a woman giving herself without reservation, possibly with healing obsession, to the roles of wife, mother, and author.
I appreciated the unusual flavor of CANDY FOR THE SOUL, the intriguing insight into this Danielle Steel, who, in a heated, rapid-fire-style, rolled out the truth of her frustrations. I enjoyed the raw-spirit spits of repetitions of favorite cuss words. She wrote starkly about pain, then, after the razors had been edged, she eased into raspy humor.
It surprises me when "regular Joe's" (and Joanna's) are disdainful of a wealthy person mentioning, let alone complaining about any type of personal suffering. When an apparently successful person describes difficulties, which can be even more tragic than the norm, that expression of vulnerability is often received with an affront, "YOU have no reason to complain, or feel sad about ANYTHING."
Say WHAT?
Does fame or fortune desensitize a person to grieving the death of a loved one, or to any type of loss, sickness, or pain, physical or emotional? If anything, it seems to me that wealth can magnetize or intensify tragedy. Maybe some people expect (hope) to become immune under the (over-touted) conditions of "success"; and don't want to confront the fact that abundance doesn't dissolve the basic human problems which roil inside each of us.
Luxuries are pleasant, but a child can be abused in a mansion as heartbreakingly as in a hovel. Adult life Brass Rings don't magically heal scars.
Maybe Ms. Steel's currently having a hard time finding the man of her dreams because no one exists who deserves her or would be able to relate to her. I hope she finds someone who comprehends this Shorts' quiet primal scream, with tangy slips of humor, from the soul of a woman. (Helen Reddy? Your cue.)
I see how Danielle Steel has come to compose her emotionally rich novels. I didn't get the meaning of the title on this Short until I read the last sentence. I liked that conclusion. Somehow, (don't ask) this Amazon Short reminded me of Sidney Sheldon's MEMORIES OF ME, and also of my Amazon Short about my not-yet-famous Mom,Coal & Coca-cola.
With Respect and Compassion for the true human beings among us, however they're packaged or profited,
Linda Shelnutt
 Healing January 23, 2006
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Ms. Steel, applause to you for your honesty and openness -- truly an inspiration to me and others to realize there's more to the glamour of success -- the sacrifices, the joys, the challenges, the accomplishments -- not to forget the healing love of family. Pretty much what we all have had the taste of one way or the other.
The qualities you possess are inherited by your delightful characters through wit, humility, compassion and spunk. Thank you for teaching us the rawness of life as well as its rewards.
Such shared wisdom is a welcoming salve to help us learn and move on in life to fulfill our dreams.
I smell a "Date my mom" Episode September 4, 2005
6 out of 11 found this review helpful
I've always been a big fan of Danielle Steele, especially when I read the book Jewels, I even purchased her tv movies. I do understand and can relate to working after children go to sleep & trying to balance career & family. Because of all her hardwork & determination, she's become a very successful author. While she may not be enjoying living alone, her books are churning out more and more. I'm not going to say that I pity her life because she's living better than a lot of americans. I do hope that true love comes into her heart again, and in the meantime, love yourself. You are someone who more than deserves it. Because your books have touched millions of people. Continued success to you, I am one of your biggest fans.
Best,
Marlena Martin/CEO Supernova Films www.supernovafilms.com
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