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memoriesfrombooks's review against another edition
4.0
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2012/02/rules-of-inheritance.html
The Rules of Inheritance is the memoir of Claire Bidwell Smith. She is a licensed therapist specializing in helping patients through grief. This book tells the story of her very personal journey. She is an only child of loving parents. When she was fourteen, both parents were diagnosed with cancer. She lost both parents to the disease in the following few years. This book tells the story of her journey through tragedy.
The book is not a chronological story of what happened. Rather, it captures moments that depict Claire's passage through the various stages of grief. The five stages of grief are based on a model introduced by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in her book, On Death and Dying. The stages are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
The structure of this book works well. The lack of chronology ceases to matter a short while into the book. The book has so few characters, and the story is punctuated by such major events that it is clear where each section is in the chronology of Claire's life.
This is not a pretty story. It is, however, a real one. It tells the story of regrets - things she wishes she had done or things she wishes she had told her parents while she had the time. An emotion we can all relate to. The book also tells the story of self-destructive behaviors she adopted to get through this time. Again, feelings and actions we can all relate to even if our choice of escape might be different. It tells the story of loneliness even when surrounded by people. Again, sometimes a universal emotional. It finally tells the story of hope and survival. Something we all need to believe in.
This book is not an easy read. But it is a worthwhile one. It provides a window onto this human experience in a captivating and heartfelt book.
***Reviewed for the GoodReads First Reads Program***
The Rules of Inheritance is the memoir of Claire Bidwell Smith. She is a licensed therapist specializing in helping patients through grief. This book tells the story of her very personal journey. She is an only child of loving parents. When she was fourteen, both parents were diagnosed with cancer. She lost both parents to the disease in the following few years. This book tells the story of her journey through tragedy.
The book is not a chronological story of what happened. Rather, it captures moments that depict Claire's passage through the various stages of grief. The five stages of grief are based on a model introduced by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in her book, On Death and Dying. The stages are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
The structure of this book works well. The lack of chronology ceases to matter a short while into the book. The book has so few characters, and the story is punctuated by such major events that it is clear where each section is in the chronology of Claire's life.
This is not a pretty story. It is, however, a real one. It tells the story of regrets - things she wishes she had done or things she wishes she had told her parents while she had the time. An emotion we can all relate to. The book also tells the story of self-destructive behaviors she adopted to get through this time. Again, feelings and actions we can all relate to even if our choice of escape might be different. It tells the story of loneliness even when surrounded by people. Again, sometimes a universal emotional. It finally tells the story of hope and survival. Something we all need to believe in.
This book is not an easy read. But it is a worthwhile one. It provides a window onto this human experience in a captivating and heartfelt book.
***Reviewed for the GoodReads First Reads Program***
sparkin76's review against another edition
5.0
Having lost both parents to cancer in the past 2 years this book physically hurt me to read but it's so well written that I finished it. Amazingly and brutally honest writing.
lizzi_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This is so beautiful. Claire Bidwell Smith is an excellent writer. My full review here: http://theselittlewords.com/2014/04/25/the-rules-of-inheritance-by-claire-bidwell-smith/
bethgee's review against another edition
5.0
Eloquent, touching, and creatively structured, I tore through this memoir, laughing in parts, crying in others, and wishing I was half the writer Claire is. The story is one of tragedy and loss but ultimately of triumph. Highly recommend.
ksl17's review against another edition
3.0
I will settle on 3 starts. It was ok. I would not have read it if it wasn't for a book club. I don't like reading about cancer and death. It makes me worried more about having cancer than focusing on the present. I liked her writing style and descriptive analogies.
writerbeverly's review
4.0
Losing BOTH parents in a short window of time would unsettle anyone. This is not an easy book to read, both because of the subject matter, and because the arrangement of the chapters is not chronological. The writing itself is beautiful and sometimes painfully honest, but I got confused as to when we were and what was going on. Just after Mom passed - next chapter, everyone is still alive, next chapter just before Dad passes...
But as noted, being orphaned is tremendously disorienting, and the effect on the reader may perhaps simulate that. Recommended for those grieving the loss of one or both parents. NOT recommended to those trying to quit smoking - I don't smoke and there was so much talk of smoking even I was craving a cigarette.
But as noted, being orphaned is tremendously disorienting, and the effect on the reader may perhaps simulate that. Recommended for those grieving the loss of one or both parents. NOT recommended to those trying to quit smoking - I don't smoke and there was so much talk of smoking even I was craving a cigarette.
bethanygladhill's review against another edition
5.0
Yeah, sobbed the whole time I read it (though the ending was a little anti-climactic)...
livschuett's review against another edition
5.0
“My mother is dead.
She is not dead yet. She is in her hospital bed in DC, but I want to know how it will feel to say it.
My mother is dead.
I say it several times.
My mother is dead.
My mother is dead.
The words become living things. They scuffle at the corners of the room, and I wrap my arms tight around me, trying to keep still so they will not notice me.”
She is not dead yet. She is in her hospital bed in DC, but I want to know how it will feel to say it.
My mother is dead.
I say it several times.
My mother is dead.
My mother is dead.
The words become living things. They scuffle at the corners of the room, and I wrap my arms tight around me, trying to keep still so they will not notice me.”
adavis1082's review against another edition
5.0
This book was emotionally overwhelming at times. However, it also helped me to understand the grief that I carried. I spent a lot of time crying and feeling for the author. It also took me back to my losses and my struggles to move on and let go.
Great book for anyone who has lost someone and is having trouble letting go.
Great book for anyone who has lost someone and is having trouble letting go.