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bajammies's review against another edition
3.0
You can't hoard love to take with you; you can only leave it behind when you go. This is the narrator's struggle as she raises her 6yo son under the cloud of her temporary remission from advanced ovarian cancer. For such a downer scenario, this didn't play out as emotionally manipulative, but was an interesting look at a capable, strong, and privileged woman's transition into chronic debilitating illness.
jenmccredy's review
3.0
A novel of a terminally ill woman writing to her son in the future about her last days. Powerful use of "you" and I liked the details about her job as a political consultant. Sad, authentic voices capture a mother's love. The story about finding her son's biological father didn't captivate me as much as the premise so 3 stars.
taralpittman's review
2.0
Karen Neulander is a successful, New York political consultant; she is also a single parent to son Jake. When she is diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, discovering that her remaining life is now limited to months, she begins writing a memoir to her son while unraveling the emotions she's kept hidden about her son's father.
Grodstein masterfully crafted this story; I enjoyed the writing very much. By virtue of the fact that Our Short History reads, at times, like a memoir from mother to son, Grodstein handily takes on the role of her protagonist and I often had to remind myself that this is a work of fiction.
Karen's struggles provide a valuable perspective that allows the reader to relate easily; she is forced to confront her past, informing readers of the other, not-so-put-together, side, as she attempts to reframe her life in light of new circumstances.
At times, I found myself feeling frustrated with Karen's overbearing (and somewhat whiny) parental qualities in Our Short History; I recognize that she is facing her own mortality, without much support, but she shares certain qualities with other parents I know that drive me bananas.
Even though Our Short History has received some excellent reviews, and there were times when I really enjoyed the reading, it wasn't the show-stopper I'd expected; due to the quality of Grodstein's writing, I will surely recommend this one to many other readers who enjoy similar works of fiction.
Find all of my book-related thoughts and discussions at Running 'n' Reading.
Selfish people jump into the life raft first. Cowards sneak out the back door. Liars say whatever it takes to get out of trouble. Craven people walk away from what they’ve wrought. But good, morally sound people take responsibility for their actions and stand up for the people they care about, even if they put themselves at risk. Even if they put their own desires second.
Grodstein masterfully crafted this story; I enjoyed the writing very much. By virtue of the fact that Our Short History reads, at times, like a memoir from mother to son, Grodstein handily takes on the role of her protagonist and I often had to remind myself that this is a work of fiction.
Karen's struggles provide a valuable perspective that allows the reader to relate easily; she is forced to confront her past, informing readers of the other, not-so-put-together, side, as she attempts to reframe her life in light of new circumstances.
At times, I found myself feeling frustrated with Karen's overbearing (and somewhat whiny) parental qualities in Our Short History; I recognize that she is facing her own mortality, without much support, but she shares certain qualities with other parents I know that drive me bananas.
Even though Our Short History has received some excellent reviews, and there were times when I really enjoyed the reading, it wasn't the show-stopper I'd expected; due to the quality of Grodstein's writing, I will surely recommend this one to many other readers who enjoy similar works of fiction.
Find all of my book-related thoughts and discussions at Running 'n' Reading.
jack106's review
3.0
Received this copy from LibraryThing.
Karen Neulander is a busy political consultant and mom to 6 year old Jacob, while living with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. With only a few years left to live, she starts journaling her life, her story to be left after she is gone and read by her son. Through her writing, we learn about her childhood, parents and sister. The story also focuses heavily on her relationship with Jake's father. Her son is insistent that he meet his dad and their new relationship unfolds through the book.
This story made me feel something- being of a similar age and having a young child- I felt her desperation to leave her legacy while leaving everything tidy behind her. I felt her emotional journey and thought the writing by Lauren Grodstein was done extremely well in this case.
The story was a bit predictable but otherwise would recommend as a bit of a tear jerker.
Karen Neulander is a busy political consultant and mom to 6 year old Jacob, while living with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. With only a few years left to live, she starts journaling her life, her story to be left after she is gone and read by her son. Through her writing, we learn about her childhood, parents and sister. The story also focuses heavily on her relationship with Jake's father. Her son is insistent that he meet his dad and their new relationship unfolds through the book.
This story made me feel something- being of a similar age and having a young child- I felt her desperation to leave her legacy while leaving everything tidy behind her. I felt her emotional journey and thought the writing by Lauren Grodstein was done extremely well in this case.
The story was a bit predictable but otherwise would recommend as a bit of a tear jerker.
lisastein's review
4.0
4 1/2 stars.
Poignant, wonderfully written. Honest, sometimes brutal, almost always heart wrenching.
Poignant, wonderfully written. Honest, sometimes brutal, almost always heart wrenching.
slimikin's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this much more than I did. The concept is heartbreaking and clever, the writing deft, the characterization vivid...but I hated having to spend over 300 pages with the narrator. Which is peculiar, because I've known and tremendously enjoyed befriending women like her. She's sharp and insightful, self-focused and childish, determined and hard-working, private, hypocritical, loving and fierce.
...She's also an island. No matter how much insight I was getting into her inner self through her narration, I couldn't find a way to connect that inner self to the people in her life. Important conversations—essential conversations—simply didn't happen. At least, not 'til the last 30 pages. So for the vast majority of the book, I felt trapped inside this woman's mind: alone with her pain and her fear and her grief.
Arguably, the most important conversation she's having is the one with her grown-up son via the book, but watching moment after moment of potential connection to family and friends and even strangers pass without remark, perhaps even without notice, left me fuming and frustrated with the narrator. Why whine when you can seek counsel, Karen? Why weep when you can find understanding? Why stew in your anger and hurt when you can demand explanations?
These are the sorts of flaws in a character that I can appreciate from the outside, but when I'm penned within her mind, reaping alongside her the agony of self-inflicted isolation? It's difficult to think about anything but escape, even if the story is heartbreaking and clever, deftly rendered, and vivid.
...She's also an island. No matter how much insight I was getting into her inner self through her narration, I couldn't find a way to connect that inner self to the people in her life. Important conversations—essential conversations—simply didn't happen. At least, not 'til the last 30 pages. So for the vast majority of the book, I felt trapped inside this woman's mind: alone with her pain and her fear and her grief.
Arguably, the most important conversation she's having is the one with her grown-up son via the book, but watching moment after moment of potential connection to family and friends and even strangers pass without remark, perhaps even without notice, left me fuming and frustrated with the narrator. Why whine when you can seek counsel, Karen? Why weep when you can find understanding? Why stew in your anger and hurt when you can demand explanations?
These are the sorts of flaws in a character that I can appreciate from the outside, but when I'm penned within her mind, reaping alongside her the agony of self-inflicted isolation? It's difficult to think about anything but escape, even if the story is heartbreaking and clever, deftly rendered, and vivid.
amysbrittain's review
4.0
4+ stars for me. I really loved this fast and all-encompassing read. The premise is heartbreaking, and not one I'd normally dive in for, but Grodstein resists being emotionally manipulative and crafts what feels like an honest, sometimes very funny, quickly paced yet full story without yanking the reader's chain. It's a character-driven tragedy about preparing for death and telling the truth about a life that doesn't inspire tears or leave you with a cloyingly sweet taste in your mouth from end-of-life gems of inspiration. Karen is really faulted and smart and kickass, and is a really appealing character to see through to the end.
thoughtsfromapage's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Our Short History is a beautifully written book that will repeatedly reduce you to tears while at other times making you laugh out loud. Karen Neulander is a single mother raising her 6-year-old son, Jake, completely on her own. Two years previously, she was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer and has recently realized that she is most likely nearing the end of her life. She decides to write a “short history” of their life together for her son to read when he is older (she is worried that he will forget her and their time together). Our Short History covers Karen’s family history, her fears, her frustration with dying so young, her relationship with Jake’s father, and her thoughts on what Jake will be like as he grows up. As her illness progresses, Jake becomes focused on meeting his father which adds another layer to the already sad story. Karen only remembers Dave as the person who abandoned her and must come to terms with letting Dave into Jake’s life.
Our Short History is truly heartbreaking but also beautifully crafted. As a mother myself, I related to her struggle to cede control over what would happen to her child once she is gone and her fear that Jake would not remember her as he got older. Karen tries to leave Jake with the best set-up possible but comes to realize that a lot will be outside of her control when she is gone.
My favorite part of the book was learning more about Karen and Jake’s relationship and the life she created for them together. It was harder to read the sections about her cancer and numerous treatments and setbacks. I was so glad I read Our Short History - it is good to be reminded how much there is to grateful for in life. Thanks to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful novel in exchange for an honest review.
Our Short History is a beautifully written book that will repeatedly reduce you to tears while at other times making you laugh out loud. Karen Neulander is a single mother raising her 6-year-old son, Jake, completely on her own. Two years previously, she was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer and has recently realized that she is most likely nearing the end of her life. She decides to write a “short history” of their life together for her son to read when he is older (she is worried that he will forget her and their time together). Our Short History covers Karen’s family history, her fears, her frustration with dying so young, her relationship with Jake’s father, and her thoughts on what Jake will be like as he grows up. As her illness progresses, Jake becomes focused on meeting his father which adds another layer to the already sad story. Karen only remembers Dave as the person who abandoned her and must come to terms with letting Dave into Jake’s life.
Our Short History is truly heartbreaking but also beautifully crafted. As a mother myself, I related to her struggle to cede control over what would happen to her child once she is gone and her fear that Jake would not remember her as he got older. Karen tries to leave Jake with the best set-up possible but comes to realize that a lot will be outside of her control when she is gone.
My favorite part of the book was learning more about Karen and Jake’s relationship and the life she created for them together. It was harder to read the sections about her cancer and numerous treatments and setbacks. I was so glad I read Our Short History - it is good to be reminded how much there is to grateful for in life. Thanks to Algonquin Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful novel in exchange for an honest review.