Nora McInerney Purmort chose the perfect title because there are equal parts hilariousness and heartbreak throughout her book.
When he was in his early thirties, Nora's husband, Aaron, suffered a sudden seizure. This episode led to the worst-case - and blindsiding - diagnosis of terminal brain cancer. As if that weren't enough for one family to deal with, Nora lost her father, miscarried a baby and lost her husband within a few short weeks of each other.
But Nora's story isn't all tears and heartbreak - though I'm sure everyone would have understood if she'd crawled under the sheets and thrown the biggest pity party ever known to man. She and her husband celebrated the good and kept the bad to the back burner as much as possible. Nora and Aaron got engaged in his hospital bed. They had a son together. They made the most of their too-short time together. They made plans and they laughed a lot. They celebrated their love. It's apparent that Aaron had a heart like no other and, despite his diagnosis and the gradual deterioration of his body, his positivity radiated through Nora's stories. Nora herself, though she endured far too much for one human being, not only managed to persevere, but continued putting one foot in front of the other and maintained her awesome sense of humour.
From the jacket, I thought this book was going to focus mainly on her husband's story, but Nora's essays delve into her youth, her dating life, her Catholic upbringing. She goes on a silent retreat, forms a Hot Young Widows Club, and befriends her ex-boyfriends' girlfriends. She also provides great advice compiled into hilarious lists. Oh, and she wears a retainer.
Nora comes across as the goofy, self-deprecating friend who you could talk to about anything. She reaches outside her grief to bang the gong that is life. She proves that no matter what life has in store, it's best if you can manage to stand up and laugh at it.
I recommend this book if you're having a terrible day, if you're looking for an uplifting read, if you want to read a real love story. Really, I just recommend this book, period. Real-life stories (even love stories) don't always have happy endings like we wish for, but that doesn't mean the stories shouldn't be told. Thank you, Nora, for sharing yours. I can't wait to read your next book.
Nora McInerney Purmort chose the perfect title because there are equal parts hilariousness and heartbreak throughout her book.
When he was in his early thirties, Nora's husband, Aaron, suffered a sudden seizure. This episode led to the worst-case - and blindsiding - diagnosis of terminal brain cancer. As if that weren't enough for one family to deal with, Nora lost her father, miscarried a baby and lost her husband within a few short weeks of each other.
But Nora's story isn't all tears and heartbreak - though I'm sure everyone would have understood if she'd crawled under the sheets and thrown the biggest pity party ever known to man. She and her husband celebrated the good and kept the bad to the back burner as much as possible. Nora and Aaron got engaged in his hospital bed. They had a son together. They made the most of their too-short time together. They made plans and they laughed a lot. They celebrated their love. It's apparent that Aaron had a heart like no other and, despite his diagnosis and the gradual deterioration of his body, his positivity radiated through Nora's stories. Nora herself, though she endured far too much for one human being, not only managed to persevere, but continued putting one foot in front of the other and maintained her awesome sense of humour.
From the jacket, I thought this book was going to focus mainly on her husband's story, but Nora's essays delve into her youth, her dating life, her Catholic upbringing. She goes on a silent retreat, forms a Hot Young Widows Club, and befriends her ex-boyfriends' girlfriends. She also provides great advice compiled into hilarious lists. Oh, and she wears a retainer.
Nora comes across as the goofy, self-deprecating friend who you could talk to about anything. She reaches outside her grief to bang the gong that is life. She proves that no matter what life has in store, it's best if you can manage to stand up and laugh at it.
I recommend this book if you're having a terrible day, if you're looking for an uplifting read, if you want to read a real love story. Really, I just recommend this book, period. Real-life stories (even love stories) don't always have happy endings like we wish for, but that doesn't mean the stories shouldn't be told. Thank you, Nora, for sharing yours. I can't wait to read your next book.
Judge the cover: 5/5
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