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jleeds's review against another edition
5.0
Hands down the saddest book I've ever read. The writing and storytelling were painfully brilliant....just so sad.
emmajewish's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Death
bethaniekay's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 - 3 stars (still not sure which)
I guess I'm in the minority in that I didn't think this book was that great. By the synopsis, I thought it would be a bit like "PS, I Love You" by Cecelia Ahern, but it was not. I think it had potential to be something heartwarming and profound, but it just really wasn't. To me, it really lacked substance, and I just didn't feel there were really any a-ha moments in it. Perhaps the most genuine part of the entire story was the final paragraph from Jack's point of view. This wasn't a *bad* book, it just wasn't very interesting to me. I guess one good thing is that it was sort of light, if that's even possible for a cancer book (of which there seem to be far too many lately), but still on the fence regarding whether I'd recommend this.
I guess I'm in the minority in that I didn't think this book was that great. By the synopsis, I thought it would be a bit like "PS, I Love You" by Cecelia Ahern, but it was not. I think it had potential to be something heartwarming and profound, but it just really wasn't. To me, it really lacked substance, and I just didn't feel there were really any a-ha moments in it. Perhaps the most genuine part of the entire story was the final paragraph from Jack's point of view. This wasn't a *bad* book, it just wasn't very interesting to me. I guess one good thing is that it was sort of light, if that's even possible for a cancer book (of which there seem to be far too many lately), but still on the fence regarding whether I'd recommend this.
megray1126's review against another edition
5.0
I feel like Before I Go accurately portrayed the feelings of a young 20-something struggle with the knowledge that she has 6 months to live. I can only imagine the frustrations one would feel knowing that they wouldn't get to have their dream job, or live a long life with their husband. In Before I Go, Daisy goes through all the stages of grief while slowly distancing herself from the people she loves the most. Seeing what the cancer is doing to their relationship is painful and frustrating. If she would just speak her mind!! The story seems realistic, which makes it all the more upsetting. However, I would definitely recommend it, especially if you like to cry. It held my interest all the way until the end!
booksmy's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This started off as a 4 star - it kept my interest, moved quickly and I read it in a day. The story is of a young woman, dying of cancer and facing this reality. But how do two grad students with no apparent means of support afford school, and a house, and the organic kale that is mentioned over and over? Not to mention medical expenses. She gets sick and immediately goes straight in for surgery, treatment, etc without one thought about insurance, costs,etc?
A sweet story, marked down for the unrealistic financial situation.
A sweet story, marked down for the unrealistic financial situation.
elifkurumahmut's review against another edition
3.0
Bu kitabı okurken salya sümük ağlayacağımı, hayata küseceğimi falan sanıyordum ama... Konusunun güzel olup bu kadar vasat anlatılması... Kelimelerim yetersiz kaldı. Bu kitap neden beni etkilemedi ya?
rouselle's review against another edition
4.0
Like a cruel twist of fate, on the eve of what should have been her third year of being cancer-free, twenty-seven-year-old Daisy Richmond finds out that her cancer is back, and there’s lots of it. It’s not good. The cancer has spread to different parts of her body in a very rapid and aggressive manner. Doctors break the news that her stage four cancer will give her about four months. But the clinical trial can give her more, if she agrees to participate.
Having cancer, or dying of cancer, does not terrify Daisy anymore. She did everything to make sure the cancer did not come back, but still it did, so surely this must be her life’s course. It’s out of her hands now. What truly haunts her every waking moment is the thought of leaving her husband Jack behind.
Who will make sure that he’s eating right, that his dirty socks don’t pile up by the foot of the bed, that he gets the windows caulked, and that he doesn’t lose his keys? Who will hold his hand, kiss his face, and keep his bed warm? Who will make sure that he will finish his doctorate and graduate on time? These are the thoughts that keep Daisy awake at night and sick to her stomach. She cannot leave her kind and brilliant husband to his own devices. Jack will come apart at the seams when she’s gone. Daisy’s certain of it. And that’s the last thing she wants to happen.
It’s time to find him a new wife.
Daisy’s search for the perfect new wife will leave you feeling conflicted. At first, I thought it would be a cheesy drama with lots of hysterical tears in the end. There were tears, yes, but they were both happy and sad tears. Colleen Oakley’s “Before I Go” succeeded in striking a balance between heartbreak and hope, and joy and sadness. I didn’t bawl my eyes out, but I felt like there was something lodged in my throat most of the time, and I was blinking away hot tears before anybody could notice. It’s not your first choice of a book to read because of its gloomy subject, but the author had written the story in a way that is light, funny, and heartbreakingly real. More than the cancer, it focused on how this disease eats away at relationships, and how this disease can also bring people together. I loved that the book didn’t feel like a death sentence, but more of a bittersweet, melancholic, and thoughtful journey of a young and courageous woman, and it felt just right.
Having cancer, or dying of cancer, does not terrify Daisy anymore. She did everything to make sure the cancer did not come back, but still it did, so surely this must be her life’s course. It’s out of her hands now. What truly haunts her every waking moment is the thought of leaving her husband Jack behind.
Who will make sure that he’s eating right, that his dirty socks don’t pile up by the foot of the bed, that he gets the windows caulked, and that he doesn’t lose his keys? Who will hold his hand, kiss his face, and keep his bed warm? Who will make sure that he will finish his doctorate and graduate on time? These are the thoughts that keep Daisy awake at night and sick to her stomach. She cannot leave her kind and brilliant husband to his own devices. Jack will come apart at the seams when she’s gone. Daisy’s certain of it. And that’s the last thing she wants to happen.
It’s time to find him a new wife.
Daisy’s search for the perfect new wife will leave you feeling conflicted. At first, I thought it would be a cheesy drama with lots of hysterical tears in the end. There were tears, yes, but they were both happy and sad tears. Colleen Oakley’s “Before I Go” succeeded in striking a balance between heartbreak and hope, and joy and sadness. I didn’t bawl my eyes out, but I felt like there was something lodged in my throat most of the time, and I was blinking away hot tears before anybody could notice. It’s not your first choice of a book to read because of its gloomy subject, but the author had written the story in a way that is light, funny, and heartbreakingly real. More than the cancer, it focused on how this disease eats away at relationships, and how this disease can also bring people together. I loved that the book didn’t feel like a death sentence, but more of a bittersweet, melancholic, and thoughtful journey of a young and courageous woman, and it felt just right.
acraftyescape's review against another edition
5.0
This was a sad book but I loved the end. It made me think about things that perhaps I'm not ready to consider. The writing was ok but the five stars go to the story.
nightstand_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Touching story about a twenty-seven year old married student who finds her breast cancer has returned with a vengeance. Colleen Oakley reminds us to enjoy the moment, stop our busy lives and just live!!