An Inconvenient Year

by Yvonne Joye

It is a book that deals with the social side of cancer, as a parent, a lover and a friend. It is a story of coping with uncertainty, the reactions of others and living with them too. It documents the total shock and utter fear that a diagnosis brings and the hopelessness of surrendering to a treatment that brings its own baggage yet ultimately insures life. It talks about confronting hair loss along with discovering the more covert assault on all things feminine. Yet at the very root of the book, ahead of the fear and anger, there is humour and laughter. Though the story of cancer has been told before, it has not been told like this"

Genres: Nonfiction

199 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2012

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A journey through breast cancer...

I found this to be an interesting novel in regard to the journey Yvonne Joye went through when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet, while her journey is personal to her and her family and friends, there was little that was written in the novel that truly separated it from many others.

Joye had a very early staged tumor that was removed with surgery. While she went through 4 chemo treatments and several weeks of radiation, this isn't all that different than many others go through. In fact many others go through so much worse. I am glad that she is cancer free and that she was able to keep up a lot of things on her life.

In regard to the actual writing of the novel, at times it was hard to follow as she would attach different past experiences to her present ones and it was unclear that she was doing so most of the time. The same could be found within the chapters. She would be leaving an appointment and then the next paragraph was a week later. There were no markings or lead ins to signify this time change.

All in all it was a brave memoir she wrote in regard to her journey and that of her family.

[Francene Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the honesty in the writing of this novel. Although I don't have the same condition Yvonne wrote about, I, and every other woman on the planet today, could experience the shock of breast cancer at any time in the future.

I give a huge round of applause for this book. In the story, one piece of bad news leads to another, each expanding to more worry, held together by the author's need to spare her family and friends further upset.

I understand Yvonne's emotions and thoughts on every step along the way. Her wonderful writing style involved me from the first word right to the end. To ask for prayers, the Irish author made a brief visit to a nun, who asked about her husband. She was told she was lucky to have a good husband by her side. So many women would benefit from calm, loyal support like his.

[Teresa Kander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really resonated with me...so much of it could have been my own story from 2013. Finding out that the lump you kept telling yourself was nothing was breast cancer, dealing with chemo and the side effects,radiation and the side effects,surgery,recovery, etc.---and still trying to lead a "normal" life and convince the rest of the world that everything is "fine."

I've read several books by cancer survivors, but this one is the one I've found to be the most realistic, with all the raw emotions you feel but can't always express.

I am going to be recommending this book to anyone I know who is a survivor, a fighter, or a caregiver.

[Grecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the very first book that I read, about cancer or more specifically breast cancer. I enjoyed the reading, it had a great pace, I liked the fact that the author tells you her raw emotions, as a woman, mother, wife, and patient. I think that even though the book doesn't tell you how to deal with cancer or treatment, it tells you a true story, and everyone confronts a situation like this differently. I recommend this book to anyone who has gotten in contact with cancer themselves or by a friend or a family member. I would love to say that they're still with me and survived, but sadly that's not the case. I'll keep them in my memory and my heart forever.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written memoir that shares the authors experience with breast cancer. The story is honest and compelling. Starting out as naive and overwhelmed, we follow along as she endures and takes on a new, more jaded outlook, ultimately re-capturing the joy that cancer has threatened to take from her. I really enjoyed the author's viewpoint, being completely open and honest about her ordeal, but not in a sad or morose way. I would strongly recommend this book, especially if you or someone you know and love is dealing with breast cancer.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well written. I don't really want to say that I loved it, given the subject of the book, but I was hooked. It was an amazingly honest and real account of a cancer patient. Brutally honest with all the fears that become the life of the person from the day you find that initial lump, through every step of the diagnosis, scans and treatment. Yvonne you are a much stronger woman than me! I'm not sure I could have handled it with as much dignity as you have shown. You are a credit to your family, husband and children. May you remain cancer free and have a happy life :)

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This popped up in a search on amazon, and I got it because it was cheap and told the story of cancer from the patients point of view. I had low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. The writer is good, not self-pitying in spite of the horrors she had to,live through. And it helped reconcile myself to my mothers condition and to understand why she was reacting the way she was. So I encourage you to read if you or. Loved one are facing cancer.

[julie morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished reading it.

I have had 2 bouts with lumps and I have been told it not if but when it will be cancer, so I'm reading everything I can to better prepare myself. There isn't a quick fix and as you said no two people will have the same response to the treatments, and that's good because I'm not normal either. So thank you for sharing your story and I hope this finds you well. I would recommend this book to everyone and anyone

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yvonne Joye first came to my attention when I read Ten Fingers and Ten Toes. I loved her style of writing and the way she movingly wrote about the birth of her fourth child so I was pleased to find another book by her. This time Yvonne is coping with what is every woman's fear- the discovery of a lump in her breast. Her account of her year with breast cancer is told simply with some humour and a total lack of self pity. It was a compelling read.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest

Honest

Her writing flows smoothly as she takes us over a very bumpy year. Not a "how to" book, not a "you should do things this way" book, not a "have pity on me " book but an honest no frills look at her thoughts and experiences. Her husband deserves a medal for showing us true love.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was great. The author was open and honest about the entire cancer story. I have driven that road with my sister during the war she raged on cancer and could relate to so many of the author's feelings. She held nothing back, yet could inject humor in between great sorrow. I recommend this book to anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis or has a loved one in the fray.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very moving and touching. I literally cried whilst reading it. The authors determination and personality really does shine through. It is an honest account of the social aspects of having cancer. From diagnosis through treatment.

[Eloida Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I really liked this book. I liked the writing style and the story was interesting and inspiring. It is about the aftermath of a breast cancer diagnosis. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes memoirs.

[Amy Kreischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

This was a quick read, for the most part, but I would have liked so more details on how she and her family coped with her diagnosis.

[Saskia Burridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting point of view. Very honest book.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meaningful to me

I was diagnosed with breast cancer last August and while I didn't require either chemo or radiation therapy, it was very interesting to read the rest of the story.

[Kimberley Schoenfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about emotions that a person is going through with chemotherapy and radiation.