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A review by oliviahamilton
Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Listened to the audiobook, wonderfully read by the author!
I came across Suleika’s work through her newsletters, and slowly grew more curious about her story through her newsletter reflections, TED talk, and the American Symphony documentary. I sensed that even if it was sad, I would gain something from reading her story. The added recommendation from Ann Patchett didn’t hurt either.
I loved this book. I realized that I’ve never read a book about cancer written by the person themselves, maybe fearing it would be too sad. This is an emotional book, but its emotion comes from its depth. Each relationship is complex and nuanced, and Suleika explores how her (very relatable) early 20s immaturity/wrecklessness blends with a traumatic experience well beyond her years. About how it feels to need caretaking when you’re only a few years out of childhood. About the way illness impacts identity.
I listened to the first half over a weekend, took a few days break, then listened to the second half. Definitely not a book to read in one sitting, but it is absorbing and refreshingly true.
Highly recommend!
I came across Suleika’s work through her newsletters, and slowly grew more curious about her story through her newsletter reflections, TED talk, and the American Symphony documentary. I sensed that even if it was sad, I would gain something from reading her story. The added recommendation from Ann Patchett didn’t hurt either.
I loved this book. I realized that I’ve never read a book about cancer written by the person themselves, maybe fearing it would be too sad. This is an emotional book, but its emotion comes from its depth. Each relationship is complex and nuanced, and Suleika explores how her (very relatable) early 20s immaturity/wrecklessness blends with a traumatic experience well beyond her years. About how it feels to need caretaking when you’re only a few years out of childhood. About the way illness impacts identity.
I listened to the first half over a weekend, took a few days break, then listened to the second half. Definitely not a book to read in one sitting, but it is absorbing and refreshingly true.
Highly recommend!