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Carrying the Tiger: Living with Cancer, Dying with Grace, Finding Joy While Grieving
An inspiring story of love, loss and recovery
[A] beautifully devastating memoir… a remarkable odyssey of learning to ‘live fully in the shadow of death.’” — Publishers Weekly BookLife (Editor’s Pick)
In the spirit of Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking and Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air comes Carrying the Tiger, a life affirming memoir about the full circle of life and death.
When Tony Stewart’s wife, Lynn, receives a sudden and devastating diagnosis, they scramble to find effective treatment, navigate life threatening setbacks, learn to live fully in the shadow of death, and share the intimate grace of her departure from this world. Then Tony slowly climbs out of shattering grief and, surprisingly, eases toward new love.
There is uncertainty, fear, and sorrow, but also tenderness and joy, along with a renewed perspective on what it means to live and love with one’s whole heart.
““Heart-wrenching . . . beautifully describes the couple’s unique relationship” — Kirkus Reviews
“The book is not about disease but about care and love so that someone reading it might not fear the journey but find it miraculous, unexpected and enriching.” — Cara Hyson, Director of the Writing Center, St. George’s School
[A] beautifully devastating memoir… a remarkable odyssey of learning to ‘live fully in the shadow of death.’” — Publishers Weekly BookLife (Editor’s Pick)
In the spirit of Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking and Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air comes Carrying the Tiger, a life affirming memoir about the full circle of life and death.
When Tony Stewart’s wife, Lynn, receives a sudden and devastating diagnosis, they scramble to find effective treatment, navigate life threatening setbacks, learn to live fully in the shadow of death, and share the intimate grace of her departure from this world. Then Tony slowly climbs out of shattering grief and, surprisingly, eases toward new love.
There is uncertainty, fear, and sorrow, but also tenderness and joy, along with a renewed perspective on what it means to live and love with one’s whole heart.
““Heart-wrenching . . . beautifully describes the couple’s unique relationship” — Kirkus Reviews
“The book is not about disease but about care and love so that someone reading it might not fear the journey but find it miraculous, unexpected and enriching.” — Cara Hyson, Director of the Writing Center, St. George’s School
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2025
158 people are currently reading
5253 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 28, 2025
"We carry tigers for people when they are going through challenges. The tiger figures as one's challenges or the challenges of one's friends…. and if you carry a tiger for someone, you are lifting their load.”
This moving memoir must have been an extraordinarily cathartic and an emotional endeavor for Tony. By sharing the intimacies of their relationship as well as insight into the chronicles of terminal illness, I could see that love carried them through. This was a heavy read full of grief, uncertainty, and brutal honesty but there was always hope. Lynn and Tony were very social and led an active a life before the diagnosis and did their best to maintain a good quality of life over the many years of Lynn’s battle. I enjoyed reading about the places they travelled and Lynn’s love of art. This book is a beautiful reminder to live for today as tomorrow is never promised.
Thank you @dartfrog for the ebook
This moving memoir must have been an extraordinarily cathartic and an emotional endeavor for Tony. By sharing the intimacies of their relationship as well as insight into the chronicles of terminal illness, I could see that love carried them through. This was a heavy read full of grief, uncertainty, and brutal honesty but there was always hope. Lynn and Tony were very social and led an active a life before the diagnosis and did their best to maintain a good quality of life over the many years of Lynn’s battle. I enjoyed reading about the places they travelled and Lynn’s love of art. This book is a beautiful reminder to live for today as tomorrow is never promised.
Thank you @dartfrog for the ebook
July 28, 2025
This book truly moved me. Having lost our mom to cancer, reading Tony’s reflections brought up so many deep emotions I didn’t know I still carried.
It reads like a personal journal, raw, honest, and full of love. You feel the emotion in every page: the heartbreak, the tenderness, the quiet moments of grace.
Carrying the Tiger is both devastating and hopeful. It’s a powerful journey through grief, but also a reminder of the healing that can come from facing loss with an open heart.
It reads like a personal journal, raw, honest, and full of love. You feel the emotion in every page: the heartbreak, the tenderness, the quiet moments of grace.
Carrying the Tiger is both devastating and hopeful. It’s a powerful journey through grief, but also a reminder of the healing that can come from facing loss with an open heart.
June 26, 2025
Carrying the Tiger is a memoir that follows the deeply personal and heart-wrenching story of Lynn and Tony. At first, their journey reads like a classic meet-cute romance they meet, fall in love, part ways, and then find their way back to each other. It feels like the perfect setup for a happily ever after, complete with dreams of traveling the world. But life has other plans. Just when things start to look promising, Lynn is diagnosed with cancer, and their world is shattered.
This is not an easy read by any means. The memoir doesn’t flinch from showing the raw, gritty reality of what it’s like to live with a terminal illness not just for the person who’s ill, but for their spouse, family, and friends. It’s painfully honest about the mental and emotional toll such a diagnosis takes on everyone involved.
I don’t think I fully understood, until now, the sheer strength and courage it takes not only for the patient but for the caregivers too. This book gave me such profound insight into life after a cancer diagnosis and a deeper look at how the American medical system operates. Lynn’s resilience was incredibly motivational. Her spirit and bravery stayed with me long after I closed the final page.
The way Tony captures the sorrow of long goodbyes and the lingering emptiness left behind is just hauntingly beautiful. There were moments when I found myself on the verge of tears. His blog entries, interspersed throughout the book, made it feel like I was living their life alongside them.
I will admit, some of the medical details felt a bit repetitive. But I also understand that real life is repetitive, especially when illness is involved. That repetition, the appointments, the procedures, the slow, steady grind mirrors what patients and caregivers go through. And somehow, that rhythm gives us a strange kind of hope.
Overall, Carrying the Tiger is a beautiful, emotionally charged memoir that I couldn't put down.
Thank you to @dartfrogbooks and @tonystewartny for this review copy.
This is not an easy read by any means. The memoir doesn’t flinch from showing the raw, gritty reality of what it’s like to live with a terminal illness not just for the person who’s ill, but for their spouse, family, and friends. It’s painfully honest about the mental and emotional toll such a diagnosis takes on everyone involved.
I don’t think I fully understood, until now, the sheer strength and courage it takes not only for the patient but for the caregivers too. This book gave me such profound insight into life after a cancer diagnosis and a deeper look at how the American medical system operates. Lynn’s resilience was incredibly motivational. Her spirit and bravery stayed with me long after I closed the final page.
The way Tony captures the sorrow of long goodbyes and the lingering emptiness left behind is just hauntingly beautiful. There were moments when I found myself on the verge of tears. His blog entries, interspersed throughout the book, made it feel like I was living their life alongside them.
I will admit, some of the medical details felt a bit repetitive. But I also understand that real life is repetitive, especially when illness is involved. That repetition, the appointments, the procedures, the slow, steady grind mirrors what patients and caregivers go through. And somehow, that rhythm gives us a strange kind of hope.
Overall, Carrying the Tiger is a beautiful, emotionally charged memoir that I couldn't put down.
Thank you to @dartfrogbooks and @tonystewartny for this review copy.
May 16, 2025
Carrying The Tiger by Tony Stewart is a memoir book about the author's wife's journey with living and dying with cancer. I had an older brother who passed on when he was in his 30's from cancer and this book is about the truth of living with cancer and also what the realities are for the surviving relatives and also for the person who has cancer themselves. I really respect the author's bravery and courage to write something like this book and its contents for readers like myself who have had people that they care about working through something as serious as cancer.
I found ti interesting that Lynn wanted to talk about her cancer journey for others to follow along with the treatments and the journey. That was super intriguing as most people with cancer don't always want to share their journey/their pain/etc.with the world. The author share's Lynn's journey and his own via a series of posts on a website throughout this book. It is a sad thing that Lynn dies as do all people with cancer but the story is interesting to a person who is with cancer or someone who has experienced cancer in their lives as I have. You need to read this emotional view on cancer and why it is horrible, why surviving is critical(even when the person with the cancer is gone), and moving onto a new state of life afterwards.
I found ti interesting that Lynn wanted to talk about her cancer journey for others to follow along with the treatments and the journey. That was super intriguing as most people with cancer don't always want to share their journey/their pain/etc.with the world. The author share's Lynn's journey and his own via a series of posts on a website throughout this book. It is a sad thing that Lynn dies as do all people with cancer but the story is interesting to a person who is with cancer or someone who has experienced cancer in their lives as I have. You need to read this emotional view on cancer and why it is horrible, why surviving is critical(even when the person with the cancer is gone), and moving onto a new state of life afterwards.
August 16, 2025
This is one of the most moving books I have ever read. This read really touched my heart and taught me how love can transcend after death. ‘’Carrying the Tiger’’ is a memoir where you will learn what true love is and learn to see death differently, not with sadness and anger. Grieving after a death due to illness can be really difficult, and seeing the way the author works through it is inspiring. I highly recommend this reading to everyone, not necessarily if you have a person with a terminal illness. It is also great for learning more about love, relationships, and death. You will enjoy this read as much as I did.
August 4, 2025
Carrying the Tiger by Tony Stewart is one of the most candid and emotionally resonant memoirs I’ve read about illness, loss, and what it means to keep loving fiercely when love can’t save the person you cherish. The book traces Stewart’s journey with his wife Lynn—her diagnosis with advanced cancer, their navigation of an often-chaotic medical system, the daily indignities and small victories of life with serious illness, and their final months together.
Stewart’s writing is radically honest, nearly journalistic in its everyday detail yet always humane. He shares not only the key beats of medical drama—diagnosis, treatment options, setbacks, and painful choices—but also reveals the textures of daily life: shared meals, the solace of art, the odd laughter that punctuates even the worst days, and the fragility of the “normal” until it’s gone.
The memoir is also notable for its detailed, clear-eyed account of the health care landscape—the endless waiting rooms, hospital bureaucracy, and critical role of compassionate (and sometimes fallible) practitioners. Stewart’s humility in the face of uncertainty, and his willingness to openly grieve and admit when he’s struggling, is both brave and comforting for caregivers and patients alike.
There are stretches—particularly in the middle third—where the story lingers more than necessary on daily medical logistics or explanatory detail. While these passages are honest reflections of real-life caregiving, a bit of tightening or condensing could make the narrative even more powerful by sustaining emotional momentum. Those looking for a work that “uplifts” at every turn should know: Stewart’s honesty means he doesn’t provide easy answers or force silver linings.
Carrying the Tiger stands tall among contemporary memoirs of illness and caregiving. Stewart writes with a gentleness and directness that dissolves both pity and platitudes. For families, partners, and caregivers walking a similar path, this book is a companion and a source of hard-won hope. It’s also, at its heart, a profound love story—honoring the everyday acts and long nights that shape the true meaning of “in sickness and in health.”
Stewart’s writing is radically honest, nearly journalistic in its everyday detail yet always humane. He shares not only the key beats of medical drama—diagnosis, treatment options, setbacks, and painful choices—but also reveals the textures of daily life: shared meals, the solace of art, the odd laughter that punctuates even the worst days, and the fragility of the “normal” until it’s gone.
The memoir is also notable for its detailed, clear-eyed account of the health care landscape—the endless waiting rooms, hospital bureaucracy, and critical role of compassionate (and sometimes fallible) practitioners. Stewart’s humility in the face of uncertainty, and his willingness to openly grieve and admit when he’s struggling, is both brave and comforting for caregivers and patients alike.
There are stretches—particularly in the middle third—where the story lingers more than necessary on daily medical logistics or explanatory detail. While these passages are honest reflections of real-life caregiving, a bit of tightening or condensing could make the narrative even more powerful by sustaining emotional momentum. Those looking for a work that “uplifts” at every turn should know: Stewart’s honesty means he doesn’t provide easy answers or force silver linings.
Carrying the Tiger stands tall among contemporary memoirs of illness and caregiving. Stewart writes with a gentleness and directness that dissolves both pity and platitudes. For families, partners, and caregivers walking a similar path, this book is a companion and a source of hard-won hope. It’s also, at its heart, a profound love story—honoring the everyday acts and long nights that shape the true meaning of “in sickness and in health.”
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July 1, 2025“We carry tigers for people when they are going through challenges. The tiger figures as one’s challenges or the challenges of one’s friends… And if you carry a tiger for someone, you are lifting their load.”
It was 2014 when married couple Tony and Lynn’s lives would forever be changed. That was the year that Lynn, a vibrant artist, would be diagnosed with non-small cell
adenocarcinoma, also known as “nonsmoker’s lung cancer.” A harrowing diagnosis, the book chronicles Lynn’s treatments, highlighting both her victories and her setbacks. It also shows how cancer not only ravages the body of the suffering, but the soul of the loved ones surrounding them.
Often a hard read due to its unflinching honesty and painstaking attention to detail, Carrying the Tiger also serves as a testimony to the power of positivity and love. While Lynn is the patient, it’s Tony’s perspective and the network he takes part in via CaringBridge, that make their journey all the more powerful.
Unfortunately almost all of us have known or will know someone affected by this horrible disease. In fact, I saw a lot of my own mother’s journey with cancer in Lynn’s experiences including lingering side effects, moments of uncertainty followed by small victories, and even the inability to ring MSK’s survivor bell (my mother’s exclusion due to treatment during the height of Covid). This made this book both harder for me to read and more drawn to its story, all at the same time.
Though Lynn ultimately loses her battle with cancer, her story serves as a reminder of all those who are fighting and will continue to fight until a cure is found. Until then, Carrying the Tiger reminds us no one is meant to fight alone.
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July 4, 2025This is a deeply personal story — raw, honest, and full of heart.
Tony Stewart shares a full account of his late wife Lynn’s cancer diagnosis and everything that came after. Faced with fear, tenderness, heartbreak, and finding meaning afterwards.
It’s also about the people — the village — who was a part of the journey. Friends, family, and quiet heroes who helped carry the weight.
There are photos included throughout this memoir. They are more than just images — they’re moments frozen in time, reminders of love, connection, and the life Lynn and Tony built together. I very much appreciated seeing glimpses of moments in their lives as I cannot imagine how vulnerable it is to share such personal photos.
This memoir is about living with your whole heart — even when it’s breaking — and finding light, somehow, on the other side.
This book doesn’t promise certainty, but it offers companionship—and sometimes, that’s enough.
Tony Stewart shares a full account of his late wife Lynn’s cancer diagnosis and everything that came after. Faced with fear, tenderness, heartbreak, and finding meaning afterwards.
It’s also about the people — the village — who was a part of the journey. Friends, family, and quiet heroes who helped carry the weight.
There are photos included throughout this memoir. They are more than just images — they’re moments frozen in time, reminders of love, connection, and the life Lynn and Tony built together. I very much appreciated seeing glimpses of moments in their lives as I cannot imagine how vulnerable it is to share such personal photos.
This memoir is about living with your whole heart — even when it’s breaking — and finding light, somehow, on the other side.
This book doesn’t promise certainty, but it offers companionship—and sometimes, that’s enough.
August 15, 2025
This book was recommended to me because I am going through a difficult time personally, but I never thought it would have such a strong impact on my life. It is a very emotional book in which we see the difficult processes the author has gone through and how, in his search, he has managed to move forward and create a book that is a guide to coping with illness or the loss of a loved one. It is a very personal book that helps you understand the author's life and feel connected to his story, and above all, understand that we all go through very difficult times, but this does not have to mean the end of your life.
October 6, 2025
Tony is the author of this story of love, loss, and healing. In these pages, the author writes his memoirs and his journey of supporting his late wife. When they learned she had cancer, they decided to make the most of the time they had left, and they did.
This book has truly been very moving for me. Every page is filled with emotion. This story is beautifully written; the reader comes to empathize with author Tony and his story. One of the things I liked is that this author included photos of himself and his wife.
This book is a clear example of love and hope, and how these two can help us through difficult times.
This book has truly been very moving for me. Every page is filled with emotion. This story is beautifully written; the reader comes to empathize with author Tony and his story. One of the things I liked is that this author included photos of himself and his wife.
This book is a clear example of love and hope, and how these two can help us through difficult times.
October 13, 2025
A heartbreaking story
“Carrying the Tiger” is a true, heartbreaking and tender story penned by Tony Stewart. Along these pages, he puts into words the suffering that they’ve gone through his wife’s cancer treatment. The day Lynn told Tony she had cancer, their lives turned upside down. Together they strived to overcome this terrible disease with love, compassion and hope. They have proposed ideas to make the most of the time they'll have. During the process, they grew, they enjoyed themselves and they confirmed that love can move mountains. It’s definitely a story to share and to take it as an example that it’s important to keep faith and give love always. This story touched me a lot and I definitely recommend it.
“Carrying the Tiger” is a true, heartbreaking and tender story penned by Tony Stewart. Along these pages, he puts into words the suffering that they’ve gone through his wife’s cancer treatment. The day Lynn told Tony she had cancer, their lives turned upside down. Together they strived to overcome this terrible disease with love, compassion and hope. They have proposed ideas to make the most of the time they'll have. During the process, they grew, they enjoyed themselves and they confirmed that love can move mountains. It’s definitely a story to share and to take it as an example that it’s important to keep faith and give love always. This story touched me a lot and I definitely recommend it.
June 30, 2025
This book is a journey—literally and emotionally. It takes the reader along one of life’s most difficult paths, losing a spouse, with raw honesty and love guiding every step.
When Lynn was diagnosed, Tony began writing a blog to keep family and friends informed. What started as a means of communication quickly became a powerful outlet—a space to connect and reflect. Because the experience was so thoroughly documented, the book offers a vivid, deeply personal account of that time.
It felt like a privilege to be invited into Tony’s thoughts and to read the posts written in real time. The love he and Lynn shared radiates from every page. At times, it was emotionally difficult to read, but I found myself completely immersed, unable to put it down. I grew attached to Lynn and her courageous fight.
Each time she rallied, I cheered. And even though I knew how the story ended, it was still devastating to read about her passing. The book takes you through the full spectrum of emotion—fear, anxiety, joy, grief, and ultimately, hope. Because above all, this is a story about connection. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, we are not alone, and that light can still shine through loss.
This book is honest, heartbreaking, and uplifting. A moving tribute to Lynn, seen through Tony’s loving eyes—it is truly a gift to read.
When Lynn was diagnosed, Tony began writing a blog to keep family and friends informed. What started as a means of communication quickly became a powerful outlet—a space to connect and reflect. Because the experience was so thoroughly documented, the book offers a vivid, deeply personal account of that time.
It felt like a privilege to be invited into Tony’s thoughts and to read the posts written in real time. The love he and Lynn shared radiates from every page. At times, it was emotionally difficult to read, but I found myself completely immersed, unable to put it down. I grew attached to Lynn and her courageous fight.
Each time she rallied, I cheered. And even though I knew how the story ended, it was still devastating to read about her passing. The book takes you through the full spectrum of emotion—fear, anxiety, joy, grief, and ultimately, hope. Because above all, this is a story about connection. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, we are not alone, and that light can still shine through loss.
This book is honest, heartbreaking, and uplifting. A moving tribute to Lynn, seen through Tony’s loving eyes—it is truly a gift to read.
August 16, 2025
Really moving
Carrying the Tiger by Tony Stewart is a profoundly moving memoir that invites readers into the raw, unfiltered reality of loving someone through cancer, losing them, and finding a way to live fully again.
For caregivers, the bereaved, or anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how to live with an open heart despite life’s inevitable losses, this book offers wisdom, solace, and inspiration. It’s a love story, a grief guide, and ultimately, a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for renewal.
Carrying the Tiger by Tony Stewart is a profoundly moving memoir that invites readers into the raw, unfiltered reality of loving someone through cancer, losing them, and finding a way to live fully again.
For caregivers, the bereaved, or anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how to live with an open heart despite life’s inevitable losses, this book offers wisdom, solace, and inspiration. It’s a love story, a grief guide, and ultimately, a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for renewal.
July 5, 2025
I think I *have* to go five stars when the books makes me cry more than that many times, no? This book was somehow both incredibly difficult to read and almost impossible to put down. Tony’s love of Lynn (and Lynn’s love of Tony) was *palpable*. Lynn’s strength was palpable. I was truly gripped from the beginning and I cried an embarrassing number of times when Lynn’s death (that we KNEW was coming) finally arrived. He mentions that many found the “Life After Lynn” portion of the memoir to be the most critical part, and I will say I disagree. I was so torn up at the beautiful recounting of that final week that I personally felt it was the strongest and most critical portion. (If I were reading this after the loss of my own partner I believe I’d feel differently. I imagine it would be nice to see Tony almost “grant himself, and thus me, permission” to leave guilt behind. I do see the reader that would benefit from the ending Tony chose, I *myself* simply found it to dampen the end.) The vivid detail and “daily update” during Lynn’s treatment throughout the book was enough for me to form my own “relationship” with this couple and it felt as if I’d lost an aunt or old friend myself when Tony described that final week. Neither Lynn or Tony is a person I believe I’ll quickly forget. The story itself (despite the events) and the way Tony compiled it was lovely. So very…human. @tonystewartny, you now have the memories of Lynn living on in another person thanks to your beautiful memorial of her.
I appreciated the gifted copy of this, @DartFrogBooks .
I appreciated the gifted copy of this, @DartFrogBooks .
July 8, 2025
I very much related to this book. As a cancer survivor and a wife who lost a husband to cancer, I experienced everything in the story. Mr. Stewart writes of the frustration encountered fron diagnosis through treatment and they are so real. He explores the wildly swinging emotions that can change with every doctor’s appointment, test, and new side effect. This is all living with cancer.
Dying with grace, I didn’t experience. My husband, until he could no longer speak, expressed that he wasn't ready to die, but his cancer journey was 5 1/2 weeks, not 6 years. Tony's wife knew how she wanted to go and he helped her face death gallantly. When you love your spouse so very much, it's what you do, no matter how it affects you. Their journey through hospice is explored, and the hard parts aren't left out.
Finding joy while grieving tells it exactly like it is. Although everyone's grief journey is different, if you loved the person, you experience the same emotions and the same things, just not on the same time-line. Tony's grief journey seemed happier than most, but it could be because he had a long time to prepare for his wife's death. He left nothing out about what he was feeling.
This was a very good book, even for those who have not been touched by cancer or the death of the love of their life. It's a great story about love, relationship, sacrifice, and healing. I highly recommend reading it. #GoodreadsGiveaways
Dying with grace, I didn’t experience. My husband, until he could no longer speak, expressed that he wasn't ready to die, but his cancer journey was 5 1/2 weeks, not 6 years. Tony's wife knew how she wanted to go and he helped her face death gallantly. When you love your spouse so very much, it's what you do, no matter how it affects you. Their journey through hospice is explored, and the hard parts aren't left out.
Finding joy while grieving tells it exactly like it is. Although everyone's grief journey is different, if you loved the person, you experience the same emotions and the same things, just not on the same time-line. Tony's grief journey seemed happier than most, but it could be because he had a long time to prepare for his wife's death. He left nothing out about what he was feeling.
This was a very good book, even for those who have not been touched by cancer or the death of the love of their life. It's a great story about love, relationship, sacrifice, and healing. I highly recommend reading it. #GoodreadsGiveaways
September 16, 2025
I love the love Tony has for Lynn and how he takes care of her and stands by her and navigates the journey. But I also feel incredibly sad for those who have no faith and nothing to hold on to - I always read with anticipation when the question arises. To not know the truth of the Lord Jesus is heartbreaking in itself.
July 5, 2025
Trigger Warning: Strong emotions, drugs, medical procedures, death, grief, and sensitive descriptions of events that might not be suitable for all readers.
The biggest horror in life is life itself—many will agree with this, but Carrying The Tiger by Tony Stewart turned out to be the epitome of it. This book made me realize how reading devastating emotions in fiction and nonfiction are entirely different—and equally heartbreaking. This memoir follows Tony Stewart and his wife, Lynn, as they navigate a nearly seven-year journey through Lynn’s cancer, the challenges they faced, and the emotional turmoil surrounding it.
Even as I write this, I feel at a loss for words. My heart aches thinking about everything Tony and Lynn went through—not only resilient but profoundly inspiring. At the same time, I truly believe this book isn’t for everyone. Much of it follows their exhausting back-and-forth between hospitals, caught in the chaos of countless scans, MRIs, medications, and surgeries. This can be extremely triggering or disturbing for some readers. I hate to say it, but this book is certainly not for the faint of heart. It conveys emotions of grief and loss—both anticipatory and after death—so raw and intense that I found myself experiencing mild panic attacks. No other book has ever affected me this way.
As the story progresses, we are introduced to compassionate doctors like Dr. Matthew Hellmann and Dr. Bilsky, who supported Lynn at every stage of her fight. But what made things especially difficult was the aftermath of radiation therapy. Multiple vertebrae in Lynn’s spine began to collapse, and she endured several spinal surgeries. The medications, while necessary, came with their own painful consequences. I felt deep sympathy for Tony Stewart every time his and Lynn’s fragile peace was threatened, and when helplessness grew so strong that everything turned gloomy.
I knew where the story was heading and what the ultimate end might be, but Tony's writing kept me with him—month after month, year after year—through their most trying phase. His narrative is deeply human, filled with raw and unfiltered emotion that made me feel completely immersed in their story.
I believe writing this book was not easy for Tony. He mentioned breaking down multiple times during the writing process, and I could feel that vulnerability on every page. I was also relieved to see the choices he made for himself later—the way he managed his grief and leaned on the people who supported him.
The biggest horror in life is life itself—many will agree with this, but Carrying The Tiger by Tony Stewart turned out to be the epitome of it. This book made me realize how reading devastating emotions in fiction and nonfiction are entirely different—and equally heartbreaking. This memoir follows Tony Stewart and his wife, Lynn, as they navigate a nearly seven-year journey through Lynn’s cancer, the challenges they faced, and the emotional turmoil surrounding it.
Even as I write this, I feel at a loss for words. My heart aches thinking about everything Tony and Lynn went through—not only resilient but profoundly inspiring. At the same time, I truly believe this book isn’t for everyone. Much of it follows their exhausting back-and-forth between hospitals, caught in the chaos of countless scans, MRIs, medications, and surgeries. This can be extremely triggering or disturbing for some readers. I hate to say it, but this book is certainly not for the faint of heart. It conveys emotions of grief and loss—both anticipatory and after death—so raw and intense that I found myself experiencing mild panic attacks. No other book has ever affected me this way.
As the story progresses, we are introduced to compassionate doctors like Dr. Matthew Hellmann and Dr. Bilsky, who supported Lynn at every stage of her fight. But what made things especially difficult was the aftermath of radiation therapy. Multiple vertebrae in Lynn’s spine began to collapse, and she endured several spinal surgeries. The medications, while necessary, came with their own painful consequences. I felt deep sympathy for Tony Stewart every time his and Lynn’s fragile peace was threatened, and when helplessness grew so strong that everything turned gloomy.
I knew where the story was heading and what the ultimate end might be, but Tony's writing kept me with him—month after month, year after year—through their most trying phase. His narrative is deeply human, filled with raw and unfiltered emotion that made me feel completely immersed in their story.
I believe writing this book was not easy for Tony. He mentioned breaking down multiple times during the writing process, and I could feel that vulnerability on every page. I was also relieved to see the choices he made for himself later—the way he managed his grief and leaned on the people who supported him.
June 25, 2025
❤️🩹Carrying the the tiger is a debut memoir by the Author Tony stewart about the life of love ,loss and grief.
❤️🩹This memoir has been an emotional Rollercoaster ride for me where i was crying but still reading and want to know each and every detail about the life of lynn or how tony and Lynn's strength overpowered cancer
❤️🩹Everything has been written with so much care and tenderness i never thought a book would tear me apart .I'm happy when lynn feel better and enjoy the little time they have i thought now everything will be alright but suddenly everything change and I'm praying for the recovery of lynn while reading. .
💙This excerpt sumsup everything about lynn and Tony's love life or the kind of bond they have.
" For thirty-five years, I called Lynn “Cutie” and she called me “Pussycat” (or, occasionally, “Bob”), but we never celebrated Valentine’s Day, rarely gave each other presents, and hardly ever said “I love you.” Instead, Lynn told me that I was her best friend, and I told her the same. "
💙I know that tiger symbolises strength and power but this depiction of tiger is what stirs my mind and heart.
"We carry tigers for people when they are going through challenges. ...........A tiger is not so terrifying if it is far away on the top of a mountain peak. In fact, it becomes small and manageable there "..
💜Author gave us an important aspect of life that while the grief is profound, there's also a journey towards acceptance and perhaps a new understanding of life and happiness.
A must read book for everyone who want to read a heartfelt book that stays with the you for long time
❤️🩹This memoir has been an emotional Rollercoaster ride for me where i was crying but still reading and want to know each and every detail about the life of lynn or how tony and Lynn's strength overpowered cancer
❤️🩹Everything has been written with so much care and tenderness i never thought a book would tear me apart .I'm happy when lynn feel better and enjoy the little time they have i thought now everything will be alright but suddenly everything change and I'm praying for the recovery of lynn while reading. .
💙This excerpt sumsup everything about lynn and Tony's love life or the kind of bond they have.
" For thirty-five years, I called Lynn “Cutie” and she called me “Pussycat” (or, occasionally, “Bob”), but we never celebrated Valentine’s Day, rarely gave each other presents, and hardly ever said “I love you.” Instead, Lynn told me that I was her best friend, and I told her the same. "
💙I know that tiger symbolises strength and power but this depiction of tiger is what stirs my mind and heart.
"We carry tigers for people when they are going through challenges. ...........A tiger is not so terrifying if it is far away on the top of a mountain peak. In fact, it becomes small and manageable there "..
💜Author gave us an important aspect of life that while the grief is profound, there's also a journey towards acceptance and perhaps a new understanding of life and happiness.
A must read book for everyone who want to read a heartfelt book that stays with the you for long time
June 24, 2025
Let me start with a disclaimer: this is not a quick and easy read. It is emotionally charged, heartbreaking, and then, in the end, hopeful, yet still heartbreaking.
The bittersweet ending, the heartfelt prose, and emotional depth – this cathartic book most definitely isn’t for everyone. I believe most are too afraid to touch the subject of loss and grief with any kind of raw honesty with a ten-foot pole, preferring sugar-coated platitudes instead. This book has none of those – only raw honesty about this human experience.
The book’s pages are filled with emotional challenges of saying goodbye, with the struggle to preserve memories, and the desire to honor the deceased partner's legacy through her artwork. I loved and hated it at the same time how the book resonated with my own thoughts about my own limited time on Earth, I have been having those in huge abundance lately.
The story reminds about the importance of support from friends and the process of creating space for new relationships while cherishing the past; it is also filled to the brim with raw grief. The story will make you confront the realities of loss, it will make you think about things you’d rather ignore, ultimately telling you that it is possible to find solace in shared experiences and the act of remembrance.
The bittersweet ending, the heartfelt prose, and emotional depth – this cathartic book most definitely isn’t for everyone. I believe most are too afraid to touch the subject of loss and grief with any kind of raw honesty with a ten-foot pole, preferring sugar-coated platitudes instead. This book has none of those – only raw honesty about this human experience.
The book’s pages are filled with emotional challenges of saying goodbye, with the struggle to preserve memories, and the desire to honor the deceased partner's legacy through her artwork. I loved and hated it at the same time how the book resonated with my own thoughts about my own limited time on Earth, I have been having those in huge abundance lately.
The story reminds about the importance of support from friends and the process of creating space for new relationships while cherishing the past; it is also filled to the brim with raw grief. The story will make you confront the realities of loss, it will make you think about things you’d rather ignore, ultimately telling you that it is possible to find solace in shared experiences and the act of remembrance.
June 30, 2025
It's hard to put the journey of a terminal illness into words, but Tony has done an excellent job of recording the highs, lows, and everything in between of the life he lived with Lynn after her cancer diagnosis. He shared those experiences with love and sensitivity on Caring Bridge and used those entries to create this incredible book.
I was my father's caregiver after a massive stroke complicated by Parkinsons Disease and also used Caring Bridge as a way to keep family and friends informed. It really is a phenomenal resource and I loved reading his entries and remembering the outpouring of love and .support that's so needed when courage and hope are low.
I can empathize with the rollercoaster of emotions, the endless decisions to be made during care, and navigating the lunacy of healthcare in our country. I felt the fear, frustration, and love through it all, and also the beauty in being able to share in all of it and having the memories of the intimate moments that transcend mere words and yet speak of human devotion.
Tony has created a loving memoir of a couple leaning on each other and the strength of their relationship while walking one of life's most difficult paths. Tony honors Lynn all along the way and continues to do so by celebrating her memory and choosing to live a life that is open to love again.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was my father's caregiver after a massive stroke complicated by Parkinsons Disease and also used Caring Bridge as a way to keep family and friends informed. It really is a phenomenal resource and I loved reading his entries and remembering the outpouring of love and .support that's so needed when courage and hope are low.
I can empathize with the rollercoaster of emotions, the endless decisions to be made during care, and navigating the lunacy of healthcare in our country. I felt the fear, frustration, and love through it all, and also the beauty in being able to share in all of it and having the memories of the intimate moments that transcend mere words and yet speak of human devotion.
Tony has created a loving memoir of a couple leaning on each other and the strength of their relationship while walking one of life's most difficult paths. Tony honors Lynn all along the way and continues to do so by celebrating her memory and choosing to live a life that is open to love again.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2025
I would like to start my review by sharing a quote that explains what the title of this book means because it has really stuck with me: “We carry tigers for people when they are going through challenges … and if you carry a tiger for someone, you are lifting their load.”
This perfectly captures the heart of this book, which is about Tony’s journey of walking alongside his wife Lynn through her cancer diagnosis, treatment, and everything that accompanies that. It is so raw and emotional but also full of quiet moments of love, grace and connection.
Even though the subject is heavy, it never feels hopeless. You can feel how much love carried them through, and how much courage it took Tony to share that with the world. It felt so intimate to read and it is so special that Tony was wiling to share this with readers. I loved seeing the glimpse of Lynn’s life before and during her illness like her creativity, their travels, and their everyday moments together.
This book really reminded me how precious life, love, and human connection is and made me reflect on how lucky I am to have people that show up for me and carry my tiger when I need them to. If you want a book that really makes you feel something I highly recommend this one.
This perfectly captures the heart of this book, which is about Tony’s journey of walking alongside his wife Lynn through her cancer diagnosis, treatment, and everything that accompanies that. It is so raw and emotional but also full of quiet moments of love, grace and connection.
Even though the subject is heavy, it never feels hopeless. You can feel how much love carried them through, and how much courage it took Tony to share that with the world. It felt so intimate to read and it is so special that Tony was wiling to share this with readers. I loved seeing the glimpse of Lynn’s life before and during her illness like her creativity, their travels, and their everyday moments together.
This book really reminded me how precious life, love, and human connection is and made me reflect on how lucky I am to have people that show up for me and carry my tiger when I need them to. If you want a book that really makes you feel something I highly recommend this one.
May 6, 2025
Review of Tony’s book:
I adored this book! Once I started reading Carrying the Tiger, I could not put it down. Somehow Mr. Stewart gives this memoir about loving and losing his wife to cancer the urgency of a thriller and the sweetness of a love story. Because this book is, at its heart, a testament to the power of love. Their mutual love carries them through the ravages of cancer treatment and the shattering reality of death. Mr. Stewart’s capacity to love and to be loved then carries him into a lovely and surprising new relationship. He does not sugarcoat the challenges of learning how to love someone new and yet we are left with a sense that anything is possible if only we keep our hearts open to the transformative power of love. Rarely have I read a book about loss as wise and uplifting as Carrying the Tiger. I recommend it to anyone who has felt the pain and despair of losing a loved one, or anyone who wonders how they will negotiate that kind of loss in the future. Mr. Stewart’s book shows us it is possible to find joy and meaning and purpose even while still in the throes of grief.
I adored this book! Once I started reading Carrying the Tiger, I could not put it down. Somehow Mr. Stewart gives this memoir about loving and losing his wife to cancer the urgency of a thriller and the sweetness of a love story. Because this book is, at its heart, a testament to the power of love. Their mutual love carries them through the ravages of cancer treatment and the shattering reality of death. Mr. Stewart’s capacity to love and to be loved then carries him into a lovely and surprising new relationship. He does not sugarcoat the challenges of learning how to love someone new and yet we are left with a sense that anything is possible if only we keep our hearts open to the transformative power of love. Rarely have I read a book about loss as wise and uplifting as Carrying the Tiger. I recommend it to anyone who has felt the pain and despair of losing a loved one, or anyone who wonders how they will negotiate that kind of loss in the future. Mr. Stewart’s book shows us it is possible to find joy and meaning and purpose even while still in the throes of grief.
July 17, 2025
💫 Carrying the Tiger by Tony Stewart 💫
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As a nurse who’s spent years walking alongside families in oncology and hospice care, this memoir hit me like a wave. It’s not just a story about cancer or loss—it’s a raw, honest look at what it means to care for someone you love, and how to keep living when the person you love is gone.
Tony’s reflections on his wife Lynn’s illness and their shared journey through grief were so real, so vulnerable, and so familiar to me. There’s something about this book that gets caregiving right—the exhaustion, the deep love, and the quiet moments that feel like everything. It’s about finding joy in grief, and learning that the heart can hold both tenderness and sorrow at the same time.
I’ve already passed it on to patients’ families, colleagues, and friends, because Carrying the Tiger isn’t just a book—it’s a lifeline. For anyone walking through the pain of loss, or caring for someone in their final chapter, this book will be a light in the dark.
Thank you, Tony, for sharing this piece of your heart. It’s a story I won’t soon forget. 💙
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As a nurse who’s spent years walking alongside families in oncology and hospice care, this memoir hit me like a wave. It’s not just a story about cancer or loss—it’s a raw, honest look at what it means to care for someone you love, and how to keep living when the person you love is gone.
Tony’s reflections on his wife Lynn’s illness and their shared journey through grief were so real, so vulnerable, and so familiar to me. There’s something about this book that gets caregiving right—the exhaustion, the deep love, and the quiet moments that feel like everything. It’s about finding joy in grief, and learning that the heart can hold both tenderness and sorrow at the same time.
I’ve already passed it on to patients’ families, colleagues, and friends, because Carrying the Tiger isn’t just a book—it’s a lifeline. For anyone walking through the pain of loss, or caring for someone in their final chapter, this book will be a light in the dark.
Thank you, Tony, for sharing this piece of your heart. It’s a story I won’t soon forget. 💙
Read
July 21, 2025In this memoir we follow along on Tony’s journey as his wife, Lynn, battles cancer. Hearing about their story of meeting, doing life together, and then eventually getting news that would alter their lives forever… this was an incredibly sad, but heartfelt story.
Tony talks about the ins and outs of his wife’s battle, all of the treatments, the appointments, and the emotional turmoil they both navigated together as the cancer overtook her body.
I also liked the snippets from their Caring Bridge website and seeing the comments from friends, family, and those following along on their journey.
I also liked the pictures throughout and getting to have a glimpse into Tony and Lynn’s lives.
This was such a heavy story, but one I’m glad I read.
If you’ve dealt with the loss of someone in your life due to a terminal illness, this memoir, while very sad, may help on your journey of recovery and realizing you’re not alone in the world when experiencing this kind of grief.
*No rating for nonfiction.
CW: Death of a Loved One, Cancer/Terminal Illness, Grief.
Tony talks about the ins and outs of his wife’s battle, all of the treatments, the appointments, and the emotional turmoil they both navigated together as the cancer overtook her body.
I also liked the snippets from their Caring Bridge website and seeing the comments from friends, family, and those following along on their journey.
I also liked the pictures throughout and getting to have a glimpse into Tony and Lynn’s lives.
This was such a heavy story, but one I’m glad I read.
If you’ve dealt with the loss of someone in your life due to a terminal illness, this memoir, while very sad, may help on your journey of recovery and realizing you’re not alone in the world when experiencing this kind of grief.
*No rating for nonfiction.
CW: Death of a Loved One, Cancer/Terminal Illness, Grief.
August 11, 2025
Deeply human is what it’s all about. You are not only reading a book, you are alongside the author in this story. This book shares a journey of love, illness, and courage, even when life is in a constant, unimaginable state of change. From the first page, you will feel the love and warmth of Lynn and Tony as a couple, and how their story begins and develops.
Then comes a big challenge, an oncology diagnosis that brings a twist to their lives and to this book. The author's development of this situation will reach straight into your heart. It is written with so much emotion that you will feel like part of the support team. The author is raw, making this book honest and profound. You will see how grief and fear feel, how uncertainty needs support to keep going, and the power of love.
I think it’s about everything it takes for the person and the community around them. You will never forget this story, and it will be a boost in your day-to-day life.
Then comes a big challenge, an oncology diagnosis that brings a twist to their lives and to this book. The author's development of this situation will reach straight into your heart. It is written with so much emotion that you will feel like part of the support team. The author is raw, making this book honest and profound. You will see how grief and fear feel, how uncertainty needs support to keep going, and the power of love.
I think it’s about everything it takes for the person and the community around them. You will never forget this story, and it will be a boost in your day-to-day life.
August 13, 2025
A book that leaves lessons
What a beautiful book, filled with love, hope, and an example of strength.
Stewart, the author of the book, shares his painful story in such a sincere and profound way, showing how he had to face his wife's cancer , with courage and resilience that serve as an example and guide for anyone going through a similar situation.
Stewart’s pain came from the cancer and death of his wife, Lynn Kotula. Carrying the Tiger is a book full of lessons, where pain and humor can coexist at the same time; where illness, no matter how harsh, can be experienced differently with love and courage.
The author shares some photos from his life, which give the reading a more personal touch, allowing the reader to feel more connected to the story.
This book can help anyone who is going through a time of great sorrow. I recommend it with full confidence that readers will enjoy it.
What a beautiful book, filled with love, hope, and an example of strength.
Stewart, the author of the book, shares his painful story in such a sincere and profound way, showing how he had to face his wife's cancer , with courage and resilience that serve as an example and guide for anyone going through a similar situation.
Stewart’s pain came from the cancer and death of his wife, Lynn Kotula. Carrying the Tiger is a book full of lessons, where pain and humor can coexist at the same time; where illness, no matter how harsh, can be experienced differently with love and courage.
The author shares some photos from his life, which give the reading a more personal touch, allowing the reader to feel more connected to the story.
This book can help anyone who is going through a time of great sorrow. I recommend it with full confidence that readers will enjoy it.
September 19, 2025
This book is a no-holds-barred book written by the husband of Lynn, who has been diagnosed with cancer. As they both navigate the medical system, insurance, a desire to keep as normal a life as possible for them both, and options that seem overwhelming, you will come to understand that "life as normal" is not an attainable goal. At the moment that word "cancer" is uttered, life as you know it is gone.
Lynn, a life-long painter and scholar, is ready to give it everything she's got, and boy does she. Tony is a phenomenal, supportive husband, taking her to most of her appointments, staying by her side when pain becomes unbearable, and helping to navigate the constant requirements of jumping through one hoop after another in the medical establishment.
By the end of the book, I felt that I knew them both. I wish I had known her. Fly high Lynn.
**Note** this is not a spoiler. The author includes her passing at the very beginning of the book.
Lynn, a life-long painter and scholar, is ready to give it everything she's got, and boy does she. Tony is a phenomenal, supportive husband, taking her to most of her appointments, staying by her side when pain becomes unbearable, and helping to navigate the constant requirements of jumping through one hoop after another in the medical establishment.
By the end of the book, I felt that I knew them both. I wish I had known her. Fly high Lynn.
**Note** this is not a spoiler. The author includes her passing at the very beginning of the book.
October 6, 2025
I couldn’t bring myself to give the book 5 stars because I just didn’t connect with it. I’ve been cancer free since Oct. 2011. I survived, but there was a time when that seemed unlikely. I had to deal with the probability that I wasn’t going to make it. So, I expected to have a connection with the book’s story.
My failure to engage emotionally isn’t due to poor writing on Stewart’s part. The book is clear and concise. It doesn’t dodge difficult subjects. But to me, it felt emotionless. I think Stewart and I are very different people with very different views of life and love. I couldn’t connect with his view of those things. As a result, the book failed to pull me in.
Despite my reticence, I’m certain there are people who will connect and find it irresistible. If you or a loved one has experienced cancer, I recommend this book. At the least, check it out. It could well be a source of strength of comfort to many. You may be one of them.
My failure to engage emotionally isn’t due to poor writing on Stewart’s part. The book is clear and concise. It doesn’t dodge difficult subjects. But to me, it felt emotionless. I think Stewart and I are very different people with very different views of life and love. I couldn’t connect with his view of those things. As a result, the book failed to pull me in.
Despite my reticence, I’m certain there are people who will connect and find it irresistible. If you or a loved one has experienced cancer, I recommend this book. At the least, check it out. It could well be a source of strength of comfort to many. You may be one of them.
November 24, 2025
Carrying the Tiger is a deeply moving memoir that navigates the intertwined terrain of love, illness, grief, and renewal with stunning emotional clarity. Tony Stewart chronicles his wife Lynn’s cancer journey with a rare blend of honesty, tenderness, and insight. The storytelling is intimate without being sentimental, philosophical without losing its grounding in lived experience.
Stewart’s reflections on caregiving, anticipatory grief, and the slow reshaping of a shattered life give this memoir its extraordinary depth. The book honors Lynn as a vibrant presence, while also illuminating how one continues forward while carrying the weight and the gifts of loss. Poignant, painful, and unexpectedly hopeful, Carrying the Tiger stands as both a tribute to a great love and a quiet guide for anyone walking their own path through illness or mourning.
Stewart’s reflections on caregiving, anticipatory grief, and the slow reshaping of a shattered life give this memoir its extraordinary depth. The book honors Lynn as a vibrant presence, while also illuminating how one continues forward while carrying the weight and the gifts of loss. Poignant, painful, and unexpectedly hopeful, Carrying the Tiger stands as both a tribute to a great love and a quiet guide for anyone walking their own path through illness or mourning.
September 29, 2025
Cancer can feel very predatory. When someone is given this diagnosis, and they are in a committed, loving relationship, it can feel like a pain that is too great to be borne. One individual is going to die, while the other, presumably, must remain behind. It is difficult for the one who is dying, but perhaps it’s worse for the one who lives.
That is what happened to the author of this book. His wife was diagnosed with incurable cancer, and they had to experience the process of her dying together. However, while this book is undeniably sad, it is also full of the beauty of their love. The author learned to accept what had happened and to not let it destroy him. His lessons to those that are going through this same process are poignant, thoughtful, and invaluable.
That is what happened to the author of this book. His wife was diagnosed with incurable cancer, and they had to experience the process of her dying together. However, while this book is undeniably sad, it is also full of the beauty of their love. The author learned to accept what had happened and to not let it destroy him. His lessons to those that are going through this same process are poignant, thoughtful, and invaluable.
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