sammantha's review
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Cancer, Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexual assault
cdubiel's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A brutally honest and lyrical memoir. Woolf, a writer and former blogger, was about to divorce her husband when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Although they canceled the divorce, as Hal was dying, Woolf had to reckon with her emotions surrounding both his death and the reasons that led to their would-be split. After Hal dies, Woolf explores a different side of herself, someone freer and finally let go from a 17-year toxic marriage. The stereotype of the widow who hooks up quickly after a death doesn't really apply because Woolf was already preparing to move on. Both the section leading up to Hal's death and the section after explore some tough topics, including abuse and sexual assault. The book can be hard to read at times but I would highly suggest giving it a try. It's beautifully written and engaging, almost entrancing. (And for some reason I'm fascinated by death memoirs).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
bleach226's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
This book is profoundly honest and hard at times, but simultaneously so beautiful and powerful in its honesty. I’ve been a fan of Rebecca’s writing since the early years of her blog. Her way worth words and her vulnerability are stunning. Hearing her tell her story in the audiobook was… just… it felt like I got to witness someone breaking free and breaking open.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
aiyam's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
This book is phenomenal. Rebecca Woolf is such a talented writer and her story is so unapologetically hers.
This book has some major trigger warnings associated with it (descriptions of emotional abuse and sexual assault/violence) but I don’t think it should scare readers off. The journey of Woolf finding her freedom after her husband’s death is a bold one. As I was reading I just kept thinking, how many women feel this exact way and never get the chance to grieve in the way that works for them. Her story of rediscovering herself, of her identity as a widow who hated her husband and was going to divorce him anyway, is such an important one for all the women out there stuck in unhappy marriages.
Memoirs are always deeply personal, but Woolf took it to another level. Their story is so impactful. Everybody should read this book.
This book has some major trigger warnings associated with it (descriptions of emotional abuse and sexual assault/violence) but I don’t think it should scare readers off. The journey of Woolf finding her freedom after her husband’s death is a bold one. As I was reading I just kept thinking, how many women feel this exact way and never get the chance to grieve in the way that works for them. Her story of rediscovering herself, of her identity as a widow who hated her husband and was going to divorce him anyway, is such an important one for all the women out there stuck in unhappy marriages.
Memoirs are always deeply personal, but Woolf took it to another level. Their story is so impactful. Everybody should read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
drraytay's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, Cancer, and Medical content
Moderate: Infidelity and Blood
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