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sarahfonseca's review against another edition
4.0
Second reading. This has grown on me with time, more cautionary tale than tell-all; language that encourages one that righteousness begets despair when staring down mortality.
lewis_fishman's review against another edition
4.0
weird book to be so candid but also not candid at the same time about death. hello quarter life crisis, welcome back.
ptrmsschrs's review against another edition
2.0
a cold and impersonal memoir
After reading this short memoir by Susan Sontag's son about her battle with cancer, I got the distinct impression that there wasn't much love lost between mother and son.
I thought I was going to need a few handkerchiefs, but far from it: to me the book seemed cold, distant, and mainly focused on the medical aspects of her three bouts with cancer.
What bothered me enormously is that the author repeatedly describes his mother as a 'winner' in the war against cancer and that one of the reasons she survived the first two episodes, was because of her determination to beat the cancer. It made me feel as if the hundreds of thousands of people who didn't survive their struggle with cancer were 'losers' and had to blame themselves for being weak-willed. Moreover the author makes the comparison between his mum and Lance Armstrong, who also 'beat cancer' and then went on to win the Tour de France several times, but afterwards turned out to have used illegal drugs.
The picture that he painted of his mother was from gentle. I got the impression that she was a self-centered and haughty person, who had to be surrounded by admirers all the time, because she couldn't stand the thought of being on her own.
If you are an admirer of Susan Sontag's literary work, I suggest you stay away from this memoir.
After reading this short memoir by Susan Sontag's son about her battle with cancer, I got the distinct impression that there wasn't much love lost between mother and son.
I thought I was going to need a few handkerchiefs, but far from it: to me the book seemed cold, distant, and mainly focused on the medical aspects of her three bouts with cancer.
What bothered me enormously is that the author repeatedly describes his mother as a 'winner' in the war against cancer and that one of the reasons she survived the first two episodes, was because of her determination to beat the cancer. It made me feel as if the hundreds of thousands of people who didn't survive their struggle with cancer were 'losers' and had to blame themselves for being weak-willed. Moreover the author makes the comparison between his mum and Lance Armstrong, who also 'beat cancer' and then went on to win the Tour de France several times, but afterwards turned out to have used illegal drugs.
The picture that he painted of his mother was from gentle. I got the impression that she was a self-centered and haughty person, who had to be surrounded by admirers all the time, because she couldn't stand the thought of being on her own.
If you are an admirer of Susan Sontag's literary work, I suggest you stay away from this memoir.
mariek212's review against another edition
2.0
The books covers a very short, but painful timeframe for the author - from when his mother was diagnosed with cancer until her death.
And I think it is that short timeframe that makes this book somewhat repetitive and vague. He never gets into his own feelings - of course his mother didn't want to die! I get it. It's on every other page.
Also, I would love to know why he hates Annie Liebovitz so much. I bet that would have been an interesting chapter. He was very dismissive of their relationship...maybe he didn't really want his mom to be a lesbian?
I read this in one day, and considered returning it to B&N that same day.
And I think it is that short timeframe that makes this book somewhat repetitive and vague. He never gets into his own feelings - of course his mother didn't want to die! I get it. It's on every other page.
Also, I would love to know why he hates Annie Liebovitz so much. I bet that would have been an interesting chapter. He was very dismissive of their relationship...maybe he didn't really want his mom to be a lesbian?
I read this in one day, and considered returning it to B&N that same day.
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