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Reviews tagging 'Cancer'
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke
41 reviews
frostbitsky's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I bought this on sale from Audible in Aug of 2020. I was interested in it because it's about Sicily and that's where my family is from.
I listened to it now because it's also about grief and I am grieving my dad.
Listening to Tembi's experience as her husband was in hospice care and dying of cancer was very emotional. It brought up many similar memories of my dad and I cried, but it also felt like I was not alone.
Besides it helping me to process my grief it was also a wonderful memoir about the traditions, food, family, and culture of Sicily. So much of if was very familiar and it felt like home. I want to go to Sicily.
After listening to the audiobook I borrowed it from the library to reread some parts, read the book club topics, and read an interview with Tembi Locke. The audiobook came with a PDF so I have the receipts downloaded.
This was a difficult book to listen to because I could relate to her descriptions of grief, but it was very cathartic and what I needed to listen to right now.
I may watch the Netflix series at some point but need a bit of a break first from the emotional rollercoaster.
5 out of 5 Taste Buds.
I listened to it now because it's also about grief and I am grieving my dad.
Listening to Tembi's experience as her husband was in hospice care and dying of cancer was very emotional. It brought up many similar memories of my dad and I cried, but it also felt like I was not alone.
Besides it helping me to process my grief it was also a wonderful memoir about the traditions, food, family, and culture of Sicily. So much of if was very familiar and it felt like home. I want to go to Sicily.
After listening to the audiobook I borrowed it from the library to reread some parts, read the book club topics, and read an interview with Tembi Locke. The audiobook came with a PDF so I have the receipts downloaded.
This was a difficult book to listen to because I could relate to her descriptions of grief, but it was very cathartic and what I needed to listen to right now.
I may watch the Netflix series at some point but need a bit of a break first from the emotional rollercoaster.
5 out of 5 Taste Buds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Cancer
annamay1021's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Cancer
Moderate: Xenophobia
time4tori2read's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
WOW! From Scratch served as the source material and inspiration for the Netflix limited series by the same title, and while it was different from the show, I loved it for what exactly it brought to the table. The book captures and highlights the essence of what life is like without Tembi's beloved - both at home in the US and Sicily, where Saro was from. While the pain and grief are ever present they are accompanied by hope and understanding of how things were, are, and will be-- for Tembi, their daughter Zoela, and Tembi's mother-in-law, affectionately referred to as Nonna. Throughout the memoir, the reader follows Tembi and Zoela along as they try to recapture and rebuild their love, home, and flavorful food.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that has loved hard and searched for meaning after losing someone dear to you. If you have recently lost someone to cancer (or another illness), you may want to consider waiting a bit before reading. I read this 6 months after losing my grandfather to cancer, and while I am still grieving, it was not as heavy to read now.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that has loved hard and searched for meaning after losing someone dear to you. If you have recently lost someone to cancer (or another illness), you may want to consider waiting a bit before reading. I read this 6 months after losing my grandfather to cancer, and while I am still grieving, it was not as heavy to read now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
amandaklap's review against another edition
Was well written, but I just couldn’t get into it. I have too much loss going on in my own life right now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
smkelly1997's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Tembi is a beautiful writer. She is obviously a creative at heart. I struggle with eating this book. It felt rude and impersonal to rate someone’s healing journey. I only chose a four because I felt more could have been conveyed to bring me in. But again that is a personal opinion. I cannot wait to try the recipes in the back.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Racism, Death of parent, Medical content, and Death
hmetwade's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Terminal illness
Minor: Medical content, Car accident, and Pregnancy
theabee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Cancer
Moderate: Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Racism, and Toxic relationship
jiao_li's review against another edition
emotional
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
I find myself drawn to memoirs these days. Since the audiobook was written and narrated by an actress, this book immediately captured my interest.
Initially, I anticipated a romantic tale chronicling Tembi Locke's experiences with her husband. I expected her to share poignant stories of nursing and supporting him during his battle with cancer, as is often the case in memoirs. However, I discovered that this book leaned more towards a travelogue. Locke predominantly recounts her adventures in Sicily, painting a vivid picture of its landscapes and cultural heritage.
To be honest, I felt kinda disappointed since I had different expectations. However, the writing was simply phenomenal. It was beautifully crafted and skillfully narrated. Locke's narration effortlessly transports readers to the captivating beauty of Sicily. Rather than evoking sadness like many memoirs do, this book offers a sense of relaxation and serenity, making it a delightful and enjoyable read.
Despite not aligning with my initial expectations, I couldn't help but appreciate the masterful writing and it's captivating narration. It adeptly captures the essence of Sicily, allowing readers to experience its allure and appreciate its loveliness.
Initially, I anticipated a romantic tale chronicling Tembi Locke's experiences with her husband. I expected her to share poignant stories of nursing and supporting him during his battle with cancer, as is often the case in memoirs. However, I discovered that this book leaned more towards a travelogue. Locke predominantly recounts her adventures in Sicily, painting a vivid picture of its landscapes and cultural heritage.
To be honest, I felt kinda disappointed since I had different expectations. However, the writing was simply phenomenal. It was beautifully crafted and skillfully narrated. Locke's narration effortlessly transports readers to the captivating beauty of Sicily. Rather than evoking sadness like many memoirs do, this book offers a sense of relaxation and serenity, making it a delightful and enjoyable read.
Despite not aligning with my initial expectations, I couldn't help but appreciate the masterful writing and it's captivating narration. It adeptly captures the essence of Sicily, allowing readers to experience its allure and appreciate its loveliness.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Cancer, and Terminal illness
cnoguera's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Terminal illness
3littlewordz's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
I opted to read (actually listen to) this memoir rather than watch the Netflix series. Many of my friends said that watching the series emotionally wrecked them, and I can absolutely see why. Tembi Locke beautifully wove love, loss and grief together with good food, hope and strengthened family bonds. I was not expecting to tear up listening to this audiobook!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Medical content, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death