__karen__'s review against another edition
5.0
Note: I listened to the audio version of this book
This profoundly beautiful story traces the changes in a middle-aged couple's lives after the husband sustains a traumatic brain injury... because he cannot remember his life before, his wife Abigail (author and narrator) reaches across and joins him in his new world. Following her husband's accident (he was tragically hit by a car while out walking the dog), Abigail begins to live alone with their dogs while her husband lives in an assisted living facility where she visits him frequently.
Rather than retrace the story from the point of the accident, the book meanders across time, events, and locations in a way that feels natural and sincere. The story's progression reminded me of how one's thoughts wander during the grieving process, and how a single seemingly unrelated thought will remind one of cherished memories of an event that occurred "before." This is a love story in the truest sense in the way that Abigail's life before is irretrievably lost: She must summon the strength both to rebuild her own life and to be a source of strength to her husband.
Although Abigail's tone is light and matter of fact during most of the book, there were passages I found so moving that I teared up. Having had a loved one who experienced traumatic brain injury, the conversations Abigail describes with her husband felt familiar, as did her kindness in not correcting her husband when he thought they were on vacation when just driving around town or any other number of ways. She showed her love by reaching across and allowing her husband to be who he'd become after the accident, rather than reminding him of what he (and she) had lost.
I found this book intensely moving. There is no "eureka" moment of enlightenment, but rather the day-to-day experience of accepting life and loved ones for what they are rather than what could be. Highly recommended.
This profoundly beautiful story traces the changes in a middle-aged couple's lives after the husband sustains a traumatic brain injury... because he cannot remember his life before, his wife Abigail (author and narrator) reaches across and joins him in his new world. Following her husband's accident (he was tragically hit by a car while out walking the dog), Abigail begins to live alone with their dogs while her husband lives in an assisted living facility where she visits him frequently.
Rather than retrace the story from the point of the accident, the book meanders across time, events, and locations in a way that feels natural and sincere. The story's progression reminded me of how one's thoughts wander during the grieving process, and how a single seemingly unrelated thought will remind one of cherished memories of an event that occurred "before." This is a love story in the truest sense in the way that Abigail's life before is irretrievably lost: She must summon the strength both to rebuild her own life and to be a source of strength to her husband.
Although Abigail's tone is light and matter of fact during most of the book, there were passages I found so moving that I teared up. Having had a loved one who experienced traumatic brain injury, the conversations Abigail describes with her husband felt familiar, as did her kindness in not correcting her husband when he thought they were on vacation when just driving around town or any other number of ways. She showed her love by reaching across and allowing her husband to be who he'd become after the accident, rather than reminding him of what he (and she) had lost.
I found this book intensely moving. There is no "eureka" moment of enlightenment, but rather the day-to-day experience of accepting life and loved ones for what they are rather than what could be. Highly recommended.
heyjackierice's review against another edition
4.0
beautifully written. the kind of book where you reread certain sentences because you want to thoroughly appreciate each word. i highly recommend it, even if you don't like dogs... because it's not really about dogs at all.
kjboldon's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've ever read. Funny, sad, sweet, even more sad, but achingly true and lovely. Going to buy my own copy, and press it on others.
booksbecreads's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully written book, the words just flowed.
onelitchick's review against another edition
5.0
I scooped up several copies of Abigail Thomas' memoir, A THREE DOG LIFE, after hearing her read at a local, indepdendent bookseller a couple of years ago. The seal of approval on the cover by Steven King noting it as "The best memoir I have ever read." was certainly intriguing, but I was more taken by her and the glimpse she gave us into her life.
Simply told, in April 2001, Thomas' husband Rich took their dog Harry for a walk and was hit by a car. The accident shattered his skull and the life that he and Abigail once shared. Not so simple was the reality of what would happen next. All were left traumatized by the event that permanently altered Rich, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury and a sketchy recollection of the world he once inhabited.
Thomas' memoir is a love letter to her husband and the one, then two, then three dogs that ultimately helped her through the emotionally painful and unpredictable moments that followed Rich's accident. She imparts so many lessons learned on the value of living in the moment, appreciating what you have right now, and wasting no time worrying about the future.
That's not to say her road to these realizations was an easy one. Thomas regularly struggled with guilt about what happened and her husband's eventual placement in a skilled facility that could better manage his volatile emotional state and physical limitations than she ever could.
Her writing is simple without being simplistic, authentic and just plain good. One of my favorite passages is when she realizes that life can go on and she can even expereince moments of joy and happiness:
"If only life were more like this, you will think, as you and the dogs traipse up to bed, and you realize with a start that this is life."
I was certain this book could have the possibility of wrecking me, sucker punching me when I least expected it, or even when I did. Thomas' story is such a tragic one, but one that is offset by her sheer commitment to her husband and herself. It's so beautifully told that I actually came away not with feelings of sadness but admiration for her, her perspective and her expertly and seemingly effortlessly crafted words.
Simply told, in April 2001, Thomas' husband Rich took their dog Harry for a walk and was hit by a car. The accident shattered his skull and the life that he and Abigail once shared. Not so simple was the reality of what would happen next. All were left traumatized by the event that permanently altered Rich, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury and a sketchy recollection of the world he once inhabited.
Thomas' memoir is a love letter to her husband and the one, then two, then three dogs that ultimately helped her through the emotionally painful and unpredictable moments that followed Rich's accident. She imparts so many lessons learned on the value of living in the moment, appreciating what you have right now, and wasting no time worrying about the future.
That's not to say her road to these realizations was an easy one. Thomas regularly struggled with guilt about what happened and her husband's eventual placement in a skilled facility that could better manage his volatile emotional state and physical limitations than she ever could.
Her writing is simple without being simplistic, authentic and just plain good. One of my favorite passages is when she realizes that life can go on and she can even expereince moments of joy and happiness:
"If only life were more like this, you will think, as you and the dogs traipse up to bed, and you realize with a start that this is life."
I was certain this book could have the possibility of wrecking me, sucker punching me when I least expected it, or even when I did. Thomas' story is such a tragic one, but one that is offset by her sheer commitment to her husband and herself. It's so beautifully told that I actually came away not with feelings of sadness but admiration for her, her perspective and her expertly and seemingly effortlessly crafted words.
sonjaharrison's review against another edition
5.0
My all-time favourite book and the only book I've read more than once
kirstena's review against another edition
4.0
I finished this while waiting for the tow truck to come move my car which had decided to stop driving this afternoon.
What a lovely little poetic memoir. Less about dogs than I was expecting, but still good.
What a lovely little poetic memoir. Less about dogs than I was expecting, but still good.
redhickory's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this. I liked the way Thomas writes, with a straightforward simplicity, which belies the complexity of what she has to say.
The author shows us a snapshot of her life, the piece that relates to her creating a new reality after her husband sustains a brain injury when he is hit by a car. She doesn’t shy away from examining the darkness she feels and the darkness within her character (what many would call selfishness). She doesn’t justify her decisions, but she examines them and explains to us how she came to be at peace with them. She also captures the movement between moments where she copes and moments she doesn’t, and perhaps doesn’t even want to.
We see her grow more independent (she was already independent) and watch as she reaches a place where she moves past her guilt. Her three dogs become an important part of her daily life, they have frequent restorative naps together and she follows their rhythm. She talks of how they live in the present, how Rich (her husband) lives in a different type of present (he has lost his memories) and how she tries to but often fails.
I like the way time is fractured as she tells her story and moves between past and present without flags. I think this is representative of how time feels when you are steeped in grief -being aware of the time simply becomes unimportant.
The author shows us a snapshot of her life, the piece that relates to her creating a new reality after her husband sustains a brain injury when he is hit by a car. She doesn’t shy away from examining the darkness she feels and the darkness within her character (what many would call selfishness). She doesn’t justify her decisions, but she examines them and explains to us how she came to be at peace with them. She also captures the movement between moments where she copes and moments she doesn’t, and perhaps doesn’t even want to.
We see her grow more independent (she was already independent) and watch as she reaches a place where she moves past her guilt. Her three dogs become an important part of her daily life, they have frequent restorative naps together and she follows their rhythm. She talks of how they live in the present, how Rich (her husband) lives in a different type of present (he has lost his memories) and how she tries to but often fails.
I like the way time is fractured as she tells her story and moves between past and present without flags. I think this is representative of how time feels when you are steeped in grief -being aware of the time simply becomes unimportant.