Why people recommend it
How to Say Goodbye by Wendy MacNaughton is a poignant collection of illustrations and prose that gently explores grief, mortality, and the emotional realities of saying farewell. On People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt repeatedly recommended the book, describing it as exceptionally special and a treasured addition to his library. Levitt shared that he initially approached the book under intense deadline pressure and with the wrong frame of mind, humorously expecting a practical guide on how to perform the titular action. However, he was deeply moved upon truly engaging with its contents. He noted the irony that the book ultimately highlights the lack of a definitive guide for parting ways, instead offering beautiful artistic expressions of processing loss. Levitt featured Wendy MacNaughton as a guest on the podcast to discuss the creation of the work, reflecting on how breaking out of his usual routine allowed him to appreciate the raw emotional resonance of her illustrations and prose. Listeners were encouraged to explore the book for its unique and comforting perspective on a universal human experience.
Who recommended it
- Steve Levitt Recommended
- Wendy MacNaughton Discussed
Steve Levitt — 9 mentions
“so I'm breaking out of my fear of artist mode to talk to you today because you have created something that's incredibly beautiful and that touched me so deeply it's a book of illustrations of pros and it's called how to say goodbye”
“and if you're interested check out Wendy's book how to say goodbye it really is very very special a book I will always cherish”
“but the main reason I wanted to talk to her today is that she has produced a stunningly touching book called How to Say Goodbye”
“But the main reason I wanted to talk to her today is that she has produced a stunningly touching book called How to Say Goodbye.”
“It's a book of illustrations and prose, and it's called How to Say Goodbye. How do you describe that book?”
“Going back to your book, How to Say Goodbye, so I have to admit the first time I opened it, I was in a completely wrong frame of mind. I was under a little bit of deadline pressure; I was in a work mode, okay?”
“And the irony of this book, I think it's kind of funny. It's called How to Say Goodbye, and I'd grab it off the shelf and be like, 'Oh, it's going to tell me how to do this thing.'”
“and if you're interested check out Wendy's book how to say goodbye it really is very very special a book I will always cherish”
“And if you're interested, check out Wendy's book 'How to Say Goodbye'; it really is very special—a book I will always cherish.”
Wendy MacNaughton — 1 mention
“it's a book of illustrations in the prose and it's called how to say goodbye”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“but the main reason I wanted to talk to her today is that she has produced a stunningly touching book called How to Say Goodbye”