Title: Widowish
Author: Melissa Gould
Published: February 2021, Little A
Format: Hardcover, 220 pages
Source: Publisher
Summary:
Melissa Gould’s hopeful memoir of grieving outside the box and the surprising nature of love.When
Melissa Gould’s husband, Joel, was unexpectedly hospitalized, she could
not imagine how her life was about to change. Overwhelmed with
uncertainty as Joel’s condition tragically worsened, she offered him the
only thing she could: her love and devotion. Her dedication didn’t end
with his death.
Left to resume life without her beloved husband
and raise their young daughter on her own, Melissa soon realized that
her and Joel’s love lived on. Melissa found she didn’t fit the typical
mold of widowhood or meet the expectations of mourning. She didn’t look like a widow or act like a widow, but she felt like one. Melissa was widowish.
Melissa’s
personal journey through grief and beyond includes unlikely inspiration
from an evangelical preacher, the calming presence of some Real Housewives, and the unexpected attention of a charming musician.
A modern take on loss, Widowish
illuminates the twists of fate that break our world, the determination
that keeps us moving forward, and the surprises in life we never see
coming.
My thoughts: One of my reading goals this year is to read more nonfiction, including memoirs, which I enjoy reading, so of course I was thrilled when this book landed in my mailbox. The topic may seem at bit grim at first, but it really is quite an amazing book and I’m so glad I read it.
This book is an emotional, yet hopeful, journey as Melissa Gould struggles to overcome her grief after the shocking loss of her husband, Joel. It is so heartfelt and real, relatable and raw, and whether you are a widow or not, or know someone who has recently passed, this is a book I strongly urge everyone to read. There is something every single person can walk away with from reading this book – from the initial difficulties they had at determining what was wrong with Joel at first – I have first hand experience dealing with this with my brother-in-law; to the end-of-life care – we unfortunately will all be there at some point; to a multitude of other little things peppered throughout.
Melissa gives us an honest look at her grieving process and shows the unpredictability of grief. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and while you might think a book about grief would be heavy, this one is filled with hope. She has such an engaging way of telling her story that it pulls you right in. I am so thankful Melissa was willing to share this with us and am so glad this book made its way to me. If you like memoirs, I highly recommend picking this one up.
