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amalgamemnon's review against another edition
4.0
The structure of this book sounds odd when written down - it starts at "Between", which details Edelstein's father's diagnosis, her move to New York and his sudden death. It ends with her subsequent diagnosis with Lynch syndrome, inherited from her father and which increases her risk of cancer. We then go back a decade or so with Edelstein's move to London. From the very intense, intimate time of her father's dying, we move to stories of the challenges of being young and poor in a big city you don't know all that well. But family are still very much present here, with Edelstein considering the challenges of distance and the conflicting motivations for moving away.
I love the writing on relationships, where Edelstein's surety in her sense of self really shines through; it's not a barrage of awkward, cringey moments like these things can tend to be. And the chapters about shitty jobs with abusive managers and colleagues are really well done - they're infuriating to read and must have been difficult to write.
Edelstein talks of there being so many paths open to you at this age, and the paralysing fear of choosing the wrong one. Of course later on, with her father's early passing and her diagnosis, it might feel like her path was set from the start. The slow evolution of coming to terms with this new reality is really well done, mapped out in actions and thought. There's no epiphanies, no sudden Hollywood-esque changes of perspective or realisations, and I admire how Edelstein captures the bumpy and non-linear recovery from loss and tragedy. This is a touching and human exploration of family and identity; a reflection on loss and transition that doesn't strain to deliver profound insight, and is all the better for it.
I love the writing on relationships, where Edelstein's surety in her sense of self really shines through; it's not a barrage of awkward, cringey moments like these things can tend to be. And the chapters about shitty jobs with abusive managers and colleagues are really well done - they're infuriating to read and must have been difficult to write.
Edelstein talks of there being so many paths open to you at this age, and the paralysing fear of choosing the wrong one. Of course later on, with her father's early passing and her diagnosis, it might feel like her path was set from the start. The slow evolution of coming to terms with this new reality is really well done, mapped out in actions and thought. There's no epiphanies, no sudden Hollywood-esque changes of perspective or realisations, and I admire how Edelstein captures the bumpy and non-linear recovery from loss and tragedy. This is a touching and human exploration of family and identity; a reflection on loss and transition that doesn't strain to deliver profound insight, and is all the better for it.
emilybh's review against another edition
3.0
In this memoir, Jean Hannah Edelstein writes about her father’s death, the genetic problem they share and her attempt to build a life for herself in different places, before she returned to the US to be close to him. Her account of moving to London, then Berlin and New York, with a series of run-down flats, boring dates and disappointing jobs, is funny and relatable. Her family history is the backdrop to her restlessness, and her memories of her father are lovingly written. Whilst the book feels insubstantial in places, I really enjoyed her wry humour and matter-of-factness.
angiolettoliz's review against another edition
4.0
A charming short read that had me so hooked I finished it within a few days. I really loved the style of writing, felt like I was having a coffee with Edelstein as she reminisced back and fourth between memories. Although entirely personal accounts I felt her views on such events were inspiring and I finished the book feeling wholesome and content
An ode to a life well lived.
An ode to a life well lived.
isering's review against another edition
5.0
This was so wonderful. Edelstein's father dies of genetically-linked cancer, and she just talks about her life before and after his death, meandering a bit. It's lovely. If you liked 'The Cost of Living' by Deborah Levy, this is like that, with a different kind of humour. I tried to read this half a year ago, and it wasn't the right time, and now, in self-isolation, it was exactly the right time.
angiolettolizreads's review against another edition
4.0
A charming short read that had me so hooked I finished it within a few days. I really loved the style of writing, felt like I was having a coffee with Edelstein as she reminisced back and fourth between memories. Although entirely personal accounts I felt her views on such events were inspiring and I finished the book feeling wholesome and content
An ode to a life well lived.
An ode to a life well lived.
aliumsmpr's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful insight into the loneliness (and boredom) of adult life