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girlnextshore's review against another edition
3.0
Really enjoyed reading this #memoir. It made me love London more, made me appreciate (and laugh about) the decisions I’ve made as a 20-something whilst looking for my space in the world and finding existentialist answers to life’s meanings. Most importantly, this made me appreciate my family more, even when they’re halfway around the world.
maroons13's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5 This book was amazing but there were some parts that I didn't think added anything by being there so that's why I can't give it a full 5. I'd highly recommend it though!
aftereliza's review against another edition
4.0
It was truly an enjoyable read. The writing flows from flashbacks to the current day, she managed to look on the light side of tragedy and the pitfalls of success.
emason1121's review
4.0
I liked it; it rang true for me as an American of a certain age and class abroad. It lost a bit of cohesiveness at the end, became a bit episodic. But overall, a reflective read that resonated.
angiolettolizreads's review
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.
memydogandbooks's review
Had picked this at random from my library audiobook app and it was such a lovely, humorous and honest read about how the author dealt with the grief of losing her father.
kezia's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A truthful working through of loss and grief, for a father but also for oneself. I found so many moments in this touching little book to connect deeply with, especially the idea that the death of someone so significant as a father absolutely changes and redefines the path of your life. In Jean’s case, that’s in a specific, medical sense through her new diagnosis of Lynch syndrome, but also through the more broad effects of moving homes, reflecting on personal history and transformed familial relationships.
One of my favourite, tiny quotes is when Jean utters a “Dad-like” phrase:
“It was a joke Dad would have made, if he had been there. But if he was there, if he was still alive, we’d be somewhere else.” Pg. 256
Through death we learn to access new parts of ourselves, we take on new roles (to fill the gaps left by the dead) and connect in new ways to the people around us. We often end up finding ways to keep that lost person near and active in our collective lives but, inevitably, the mere act of stepping into that new role marks the unavoidable truth that that loved one is not, will never more be, with us themselves.
Thank you Jean x
One of my favourite, tiny quotes is when Jean utters a “Dad-like” phrase:
“It was a joke Dad would have made, if he had been there. But if he was there, if he was still alive, we’d be somewhere else.” Pg. 256
Through death we learn to access new parts of ourselves, we take on new roles (to fill the gaps left by the dead) and connect in new ways to the people around us. We often end up finding ways to keep that lost person near and active in our collective lives but, inevitably, the mere act of stepping into that new role marks the unavoidable truth that that loved one is not, will never more be, with us themselves.
Thank you Jean x