Scan barcode
hellojoie's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I could give half stars on Goodreads--I'd easily give four-and-a-half.
Elizabeth McCracken's An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination is both devastating and funny; it's quirky, poignant, and a whole host of other adjectives that you might or might not expect to accurately describe a memoir about the experience of having had a stillborn child. I read about it recently in a glowing review from NPR, downloaded it immediately, and pretty much wolfed it down in a matter of hours.
Above all, and most importantly I think to its success, the memoir is honest. McCracken does not wallow, but she speaks of the grief she and her husband endured frankly and realistically. She is a tremendously likable narrator. Obviously the content could easily make this book too depressing to read--or too uncomfortable (the author makes frequent mentions of how frustrating but understandable it is for people to avoid wanting to acknowledge that anything so tragic has occurred, much less discuss it at length). But the structure helps keep that from happening--the first few chapters deal with more of an overview of what has occurred (and mercifully tell us early on that she has successfully had another child since); the middle section goes through a chronological telling of her pregnancy, childbirth, emotional aftermath, and second pregnancy; and the last few chapters deal specifically with the truly heartbreaking stuff, exactly what happened immediately before and after her loss of the child.
Despite the necessarily sad nature of the content, the book is still often hilarious and optimistic in a realistic sort of way. Absolutely a great read.
Elizabeth McCracken's An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination is both devastating and funny; it's quirky, poignant, and a whole host of other adjectives that you might or might not expect to accurately describe a memoir about the experience of having had a stillborn child. I read about it recently in a glowing review from NPR, downloaded it immediately, and pretty much wolfed it down in a matter of hours.
Above all, and most importantly I think to its success, the memoir is honest. McCracken does not wallow, but she speaks of the grief she and her husband endured frankly and realistically. She is a tremendously likable narrator. Obviously the content could easily make this book too depressing to read--or too uncomfortable (the author makes frequent mentions of how frustrating but understandable it is for people to avoid wanting to acknowledge that anything so tragic has occurred, much less discuss it at length). But the structure helps keep that from happening--the first few chapters deal with more of an overview of what has occurred (and mercifully tell us early on that she has successfully had another child since); the middle section goes through a chronological telling of her pregnancy, childbirth, emotional aftermath, and second pregnancy; and the last few chapters deal specifically with the truly heartbreaking stuff, exactly what happened immediately before and after her loss of the child.
Despite the necessarily sad nature of the content, the book is still often hilarious and optimistic in a realistic sort of way. Absolutely a great read.
eileen_critchley's review against another edition
4.0
This book is very sad, of course (just read the summary and you will know why). I think it must have been therapeutic for the author to write it. I hope so.
{library, kindle}
{library, kindle}
asnelson03's review against another edition
5.0
Highly recommend for anyone grieving from a stillbirth.
inthecommonhours's review against another edition
4.0
Read it in one sitting (very short) but so well done. Brilliant and heart-breaking and well-worth reading.
_________________________________________________________________
Mimi read the Oprah excerpt (after Mom read it while visiting her) and called me...which sent me searching because I knew I had saved that memoir issue (Liz used to gift us all with O magazine every year).
I knew McCraken because of Truth & Beauty, and admit I approached the bit that I read with skeptism (everybody's got a memoir, now, right?)...but immediately loved her writing. And then cried my eyes out.
Haven't read it yet, but it's on my 'to buy' list, vs the library list. Also want to read her Giant's House novel...
_________________________________________________________________
Mimi read the Oprah excerpt (after Mom read it while visiting her) and called me...which sent me searching because I knew I had saved that memoir issue (Liz used to gift us all with O magazine every year).
I knew McCraken because of Truth & Beauty, and admit I approached the bit that I read with skeptism (everybody's got a memoir, now, right?)...but immediately loved her writing. And then cried my eyes out.
Haven't read it yet, but it's on my 'to buy' list, vs the library list. Also want to read her Giant's House novel...
granolagina's review against another edition
3.0
Very quick read, I finished this in 1 day. Very sad story. I would not recommend you read this if you are pregnant.
marryallthepeople's review
3.0
Wow, okay, so it's not a likable book. The subject matter is hard and tugs at the heartstrings. But it is a fantastic book: well written, well crafted, and created with love.