Reviews: The Smile at the Heart of Things
''I began reading The Smile at the Heart of Things as I stood in the book room, then returned to my desk and read for the rest of the afternoon…[Peterson] reflects on art and artists, on creativity and where it comes from, and along the way he bares his soul, sharing tales about his sister's death, his childhood home, his dog Sparky, and how Walt Whitman gave him 'nourishment' once as he waited at a bus station years ago.” Peterson talks about the approaching deaths of two men—one a guard at the museum where he works; the other a neighbor…What he learned from them both—to pay more attention to the world around you—is an age-old lesson few of us ever learn. —Craig Wilson, USA Today
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“The Smile at the Heart of Things is a plain-speaking humanist argument for the necessity of creative activity. It's the diary of a pilgrim cutting his way through a thicket of youthful false starts, doubt, and occasional despair toward enlightenment. Yet it's not depressing, as these words might suggest, but uplifting….[Peterson’s] wise and wonderful expressions of sharp creative intellect make a reader appreciate the necessity, even the urgency, of the artist's labor.” —Edward J. Sozanski, The Philadelphia Inquirer
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“Looking back on his arrival at Penn in 1974—a lonely transfer student from the University of Montana, carrying a little blue suitcase and looking for the financial-aid office—Peterson reflects on a journey filled with excursions and detours. His journal entries in the mid-to-late-’70s reflect the probing nature of his self-discovery and drive to become independent.” —“Double Images,” by Jane Biberman, Penn Gazette
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"The Smile at the Heart of Things is much more than advice on how one should lead a creative life. It is essentially a book about life; all aspects of it, from the celebration to the sadness…Ultimately, the book paints a truthful picture of life from all angles. Peterson never shies away from the pain and despair, and finds hope and meaning in even the most difficult of times.” —Stephanie Weaver, Bucks Local News
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“For 15 years I've led a double life," [Peterson] writes, working as an arts administrator and curator by day and pursuing his photography and writing by night….Love is a theme in Peterson’s journey of discovery. He has spent much time in recognizing the love around him…[Smile] examines how he – like many other artists – has begun to pull together all the parts and pieces. In many ways, Peterson’s life has been determined by a series of heart wrenching good-byes. In the end, he realizes that all along he has wanted to feed his “hunger.” —Bridget Wingert, Bucks County Herald