Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung

21 reviews

jiao_li's review

emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

3.5

It was my first time reading a memoir from an adoptee child, and it delved deeply into the impact of loss. I actually liked the writing style, but it was kinda boring at some parts.

The book was fast-paced. I was hoping Nicole would dive deeper into her family story, especially the good memories, so I could feel the grief more. But overall, what she delivered in the book was actually pretty good. I always feel sad when I read a memoir about losing a parent.

In conclusion, the memoir successfully delivered the themes of family and grief. Although some aspects could've been further developed, its narrative was pretty good, making it a worthy read.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Minor: Cancer and Terminal illness

faithaforman's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

Very moving, a portrait of the complicated yet ultimately simple relationship between the author and her parents and the impact of distance and COVID-19 on their passing and her grief.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts

leweylibrary's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.25

Chung is obviously a very skilled writer and wrote about such a difficult time in her life with poise and so much heart. Although there were some rather religious bits that annoyed me, I could feel how much she loved her parents and the toll their loss took on her. The COVID 19 pandemic's part in the book was really interesting (and gutting) too. I haven't lost a parent yet, but I imagine those who have will be very struck by this book. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders

dananana's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Racism

sjanke2's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic

clarabooksit's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

This wrecked me. And it didn’t put me back together. It hurt and it’s beautiful and I loved it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Ableism and Racism

Minor: Bullying and Suicide

bitesizedbeet's review

emotional sad medium-paced

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic

hnagarne's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism

Moderate: Racism and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Infertility

leslie_overbookedsocialworker's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent

caseythereader's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Thanks to Ecco Books for the free advance copy of this book.

 - My goodness, is A LIVING REMEDY a powerful book. It boils over with rage and love. It brings the reader along the confusing, overwhelming path of grief.
- Chung meanders between the present day and memories of her childhood, giving us a full picture of who her parents were and the bond she had with them. Her writing is to the point, but always thoughtful.
- For me, I am grateful that this book shows that strange pre-grief period, when you know a loved one is dying but they're still here, and there isn't much you can do about anything. It's a strange, though common, situation that our society and our health care system don't really know how to deal with. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Suicide