No Damage

by Kathryn Curzon

The true story of a woman on the eve of turning thirty who seemingly had it all, with a successful career and home life, until her first fiancé left her at the almost-altar one Christmas and her life began to spiral out of control. This is the hilarious, brutally honest and uplifting story of one woman’s journey to survive having TWO runaway grooms whilst coping with cancer, internet dating as a thirty year old hairy legged novice and her ridiculous, enormous dogs. This is the story of turning a broken life into something brilliant.

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 17, 2014

About the author

Kathryn is a freelance editor and writer, public speaker and co-founder of the marine conservation cause Friends for Sharks. In 2015, she organised and completed a 10-month global speaking tour in aid of shark conservation: 87 events, 8 countries, 7000 people. She is a trained scuba diving instructor and great white shark safari guide and has lived in the UK, Egypt and South Africa. She currently lives in Wairarapa, New Zealand.

Reviews

[Anita Kovacevic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autobiographies and memoirs have never really been my thing, and it would take something really special to draw me to them. No Damage had that. It is not only special because it takes a positive outlook on the life of a woman in her thirties, a life not without its troubles and turmoil, but because of how openly and inobtrusively the author lays out the details of her life, take it or leave it, knowing and risking the fact that everyone who reads the book will know some of her most intimate decisions in life. Authors do draw inspiration from real life, but those who would openly share their own living moments and insecurities are rare. I am not saying whether it is good or bad, I am simply saying that it took a lot of guts to 'bare it all' in order to 'bear it all', so to speak. I absolutely understand the purging process writing out your misfortunes and fortunes can have, but to then publish it all is a venture that takes a very special person indeed. The author shares with us moments we can all identify with - a serious illness in the family, odd relationships, questioning our career choices, adoring our pets, embarassing moments in which we were far from what we'd be proud of, sadness and grief, reinventing yourself in an effort to be who you dreamed you would be, and the eternal struggle to keep your head above water without clinging on to others for support. The style is even, developing funny moments reminiscent of Bridget Jones (the whole book is diary-like in a way), wonderful descriptive passages (my absolutely favourite part is the description of the drive to her parents' home, filled with loving memories), and utter sadness as her mother's cancer progresses. The failed relationships are described very openly, never laying blame on the partner, but learning to live with the facts, whatever they may be.
There were moments I could personally identify with, some I couldn't, but it didn't diminish the beauty of the author's honest storytelling. The upbeat, non-judgmental and non-preaching tone, as well as the uncompromising honesty throughout the narrative are really what makes this book unique.

[Kat Vochoska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am simply blown away by the honesty, narration, and imagery of this book. In certain moments, as a woman, I wanted to grab hold of Kat and shake her for thinking a particular way or placing blame on her shoulders. At other times, I wanted to be there with her to cry, mourn, and brood over tea. And still at others, I wanted to raise the freaking roof in celebration. This is a story filled with laughter, tragedy, humility, and triumph, and it speaks to our strength and ability to seek (and even revel) in change. A truly wonderful read.

[Ella Belakovska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to meet Kat at around the time this book ends and her new journey was about to begin. I knew she was in the process of writing her story and I now feel utterly privileged to have had the opportunity to read it and understand more about how her path came to briefly cross with mine.

The first thing I will say is that Kat really is a talented writer. She is clear, articulate, entertaining and takes the reader on her journey with ease and a self-effacing humour that never overreaches into eclipsing the story. While I do know the author, I am sure any stranger will pick up this book and instantly feel like they are with a friend. Kat comes across as a very sympathetic character, talking about painful, challenging experiences with an enormous amount of honesty and reflection. Be warned, you will need an entire box of tissues to get through this!

Sometimes, it is easy to forget that you are reading non-fiction. As well as the fluid writing, some of the characters are classic (my personal favourite was Burt with the pants on his head!) More seriously, Oscar’s behaviour is so bizarre at times that I needed to remind myself that I wasn’t reading a chiller. The overwhelming feeling that exudes from the pages though, is that this is a story of bravery and strength. The fiction shelves are full of tales about women who overcome the odds and make their way in the world, but every time Kat struggled with yet another life blow, I kept telling myself that this stuff really did happen to a real person. You will root for her all the way, and her determination to never give up or let her fears hold her back is the stuff that Hollywood films are made of.

What I took away from reading this is how totally inspiring Kat is, and she really doesn’t know it. She continues to describe herself as an ordinary person who hasn’t done anything ‘special’. In a way, this very humbleness is what makes her so incredible. I defy anyone to read this and not feel motivated to finally run that marathon/book that trip of a lifetime/overcome their phobia and live the life of their dreams.

Congratulations Superkat, on a stunning debut book, and for all your many achievements. You’ve done your Mum proud :)

[Sarah Tegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible first book this author has written. Kathryn Hodgson has written a searingly honest account of a difficult period in her life delivering an enticing cocktail of dry humour, black comedy and personal reflection.

As a Kinesiologist, I encourage my clients to look inside themselves, learn from past mistakes and move towards a brighter future and this author has certainly done that. Raw emotions and highly charged scenes are wrapped up in comedic, embarrassing moments which leaves the read alternating between tears and laughter. I'm sure I wasn't the only one reading this debut novel and reminiscing on my own misfortunes, wrong turns taken in my 20s and the desire to start a new life.

Kathryn's story had such synergy with my own experience of my 20s, losing my father and subsequent career change but her highs and lows were more extreme and I found myself amazed and inspired by her incredible tenacity to not only keep putting one food forward in front of the other but also take the huge emotional leap she did in learning to trust Nicholas and become brave enough to finally take her scuba mask off under water! Conjuring up images of these gigantic 'Bears' as her trusty sidekicks while sharing her hilarious bodily 'misfunctions' had me in stitches and also feeling slightly relieved that other women too have mortifying moments!

Everyone has a story to tell but few are brave enough to actually go through the painful process of reliving it in order to commit it to paper and I am immensely grateful to her for doing so. I would highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to lose themselves in a good book and experience late nights as you simply can't put this book down. I will certainly recommend this to my clients who need proof that you really do have the tools to change your own life.

[B. Conklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us have been there: failed relationships, family members with serious illnesses, life plans that look good on paper only to go through a shredder. Just maybe not to the extreme degree Kathryn Hodgson describes! Her memoir alternates between laughter and tears. And sometimes she doubles up with a combination of both as the only possible response to life’s curve balls, for instance, being dragged through the mud by her two gigantic Airedales nicknamed the Bears.

At times a bit saccharine, Kathryn nevertheless chomps down hard on bitter moments in her life with clear self-assessments. Not too much playing the victim here. She spends a fair number of pages analyzing her codependent engagement to a sociopath who finds devious ways to abuse her physically and emotionally. In the end, she seeks understanding, forgiveness, and second (or in her case, third) chances.

Throughout her book, Kathryn lets go of the “performing monkey” that puts a smile on every bad situation. Her memoir moves along at a brisk pace as she candidly reveals metaphorical warts and literal blemishes (including humorous accounts of bodily malfunctions). For her, the path to wholeness means overcoming her biggest phobia: her intense fear of scuba diving. And she makes it through with the help of her dogs, family, friends, and the occasional goblet of red wine. By the time she gets out of a fix in South Africa, she really needs it!

(As an American, I was confused by one term: “hen do,” until I figured out it’s the British version of a bachelorette party. Same with “Chupa Chup lolly,” a brand name of lollipop I’ve somehow never come across till now.)

Be sure to check out Hodgson’s marine awareness website at http://www.friendsforsharks.com/.

[N. Gosney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just finished reading this book, and wow my goodness what a book it is! At first I wasn't sure if it was autobiographical or pseudo-biographical. Reading the parts about her mother's illness made me feel it must surely be a true story, as there was so much raw emotion and attention to detail poured into those sections. I'm not ashamed to say I shed a few tears - my heart hurt for Kathryn and her family. Later though, her accounts of Oscar had me wondering again. Could anybody truly behave the way he did? It seemed almost too much to be true! I'm still reeling from those sections, and I'm incredibly amazed how Kathryn tolerated such behaviour for so long.

I feel as though I've looked into somebody's soul, almost as if I've intruded a little by doing so, and I can't help but have the greatest sense of being incredibly privileged to have read such a moving insight into a total stranger's life.

As for the book itself, it's very well written, articulate, and Kathryn has the wonderful ability of turning even mundane actions like walking dogs into such compelling reading that I didn't want to turn off my computer - I just wanted to keep reading and see what was going to happen next.

It's quite remarkable how much happened to this lady in such a short space of time. From utter despair, to complete triumph, and I can't tell you how glad I am that it all had a happy ending!

Wonderful book, definitely worth reading, I would recommend it to anyone.

[Traci Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read books for many reasons ... to escape reality, to learn something new, and/or to feel a real emotion. Usually, it takes a variety of books for me to accomplish that goal. But THIS book gave me all that and more! It had me on an emotional roller coaster from the beginning when the author described the first 'crisis' she endured in her life (I don't like to include spoilers in my reviews, so you'll just have to read it to find out). Each chapter brought up a new emotion in me. I was utterly shocked and angry at how much crap she was willing to put up with from the men in her life. At times I wanted to slap her to wake her up and make her realize how awesome a person she is who deserves so much better--other times, I wanted to literally crawl through the pages to hug her and let her know that everything was going to be okay ... especially after the multitude of losses she suffers.

Several times while reading, I had to remind myself that this is a NON-fiction book because I just couldn't fathom that anyone's life could be that bad--so many times over! The author told her story with such pure, heartfelt emotion and raw courage, not to mention her accomplished writing skills. I have to say this is one of the best books I've read in a long time. If I could give it more than five stars, I would.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good emotional read about life, love, and pursuit of dreams.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read memoirs from time to time, habit I was left with after reading Montaigne essays, so I was coming to my regular third this year with No Damage. It was indeed unlike many others I've read. Usually in autobiography or diary-style novel one gets used to certain note of author’s subjectivity, or at least to certain author voice resonating throughout the work, however, this reading struck me as significantly devoid of such practice, exhibiting objectivity or better say resistance towards judgment.

It is a story of growing up into mental maturity through not so a pleasant road. Honesty is spilled on every page and that means abundance of embarrassing moments, some of which were rather entertaining, and others that were rather difficult to bear. As a reader one appreciates lack of doubt regarding credibility of what is being said in any way, and No Damage indeed delivers on this account.

That being said I did find some parts playing too much on sentiments, yet even there I didn't doubt sincerity behind them, rather feeling uncomfortable, as I still do, with the lack of self-belief which made itself felt throughout the work.

Perhaps that is why it was satisfying to notice growth in the later stages, observing uninhibited behavior without artificial makeup in some dire situations, and generally throughout the experiences presented.
It is memoir tantamount to a look back at life, and a good one at that.

[Jackie Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A roller-coaster read

Here’s a lady with enormous human spirit and a knack to laugh at herself.

Told with searing honesty, Kathryn takes you on a journey of love, loss, heartache, joy and redemption5. Her most intimate decisions are shared, discussed, analysed and carried out with equal measures of humour, sadness, fear and validation.

Although at times I felt a tiny bit uncomfortable with her self-justification for some of those decisions – I still couldn’t wait to settle down each evening to be carried along with her sentiments and emotions. I wanted to see which one of life’s challenges would knock her flat next – and how she’d stand up and slap it right back!

These ‘life-lessons’ are experienced by us all, but Kathryn makes it a fun ride that’s all wrapped in the chaos of two lunatic, adorable dogs.

If you are a similar age and you like an entertaining read on handling the lumps and bumps of life that is loaded with sentiment – this book is for you.

I would have loved to have more written dialogue between Kathryn and her dynamic friends, to really hear how they carried her through the difficult times – but that’s just a personal perspective and takes nothing away from a great read!

[Dave Adair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. My only regret is that it is not fiction. How one woman could endure the events Kathryn endured over such a short period of time is unfathomable. That she came out the other side with such positivity and such a strong eye to the future is downright inspirational.

Without spoiling the story, I can say that I laughed a lot and shed many tears on her behalf. I cringed at some of the decisions that were made, feeling as though I was one of her friends who wanted to scream, “No, don’t do that!”

I found myself also taking great pride in Kathryn as I was able to watch her grow throughout the story into a confident and resilient woman. Again, if she were a fictional character, I would have been rooting for her all the way. As a real human, it felt essential that she succeeded. And she did.

Of course, none of this is possible without the strength of her writing. She avoided cliché’s and kept the story moving quickly with a flowing style that wasted no time, yet provided all the depth necessary to get hooked into her tale.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

[Marcia Martins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normaly like to read memoirs but this book caught my attention. I enjoy reading Kathryn journey but most of all I admire her courage to expose herself, sharing her not always brilliant moments and her most intimate decisions in life with who reads this book. LIke every one, she had her ups and downs. She made wrong choices, she loved, she had her heartbroken twice and she mourned the loss of her mother. Instead of closing herself to the world, she was brave enough to reinvent herself and find a new life. In this process, she gave away her pets and had to overcome her fears to finally be able to persuit her dreams. She never gave up.

[K. Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully witty, warm and fun, this story will wrap you up into an endearing embrace. The pacing is spot on and you really feel for Kathryn as she struggles with the ups and downs of life using a gentle bit of humor to go with the dark spots she’s had to deal with. After reading this, I honestly feel like she is a friend. I really enjoyed this read and suggest if you want something that will remind you that hope is never out of reach, then I suggest No Damage.

[Nicholas Curzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book. Fascinating in its honesty, gripping in its drama, entertaining in it’s humor and inspiring in its thought provoking analyses of the difficult situations faced by the author in some turbulent years of her life. I challenge anyone to read this book without laughing out loud and shedding some tears.

[Connie Stephany · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's pure talent when a writer can make a reader laugh even during the saddest parts of a book. That's what happened here.

I enjoyed this story and felt so many emotions during the book.

I fell in love with the "bears" and wish I could meet them!

Thanks for sharing your very emotional story with the world.

[Amy Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book - so funny and moving at the same time. The author writes with honesty and good humour, you can't help but fall in love with her adventures and root for her. I cant wait to see what she writes next. Highly recommended!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thisbook made me laugh like a maniac and cry like a baby. So full of hope and humour in the face of life. Thanks Kat you made me know more about you and remember a fantastic holiday with the Great Whites. Now I'm off to watch Amelie, again

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a roller coaster of emotions. I've gone from snorting out loud to snot nosed ugly crying while reading this. Kathryn is a fantastic story teller, and I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't a work of fiction!

[Margo Irvine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed No Damage.
I was left full of admiration for the author's resilience and also for her story-telling abilities and fabulous sense of humour. There were several passages that I read a number of times because they were so funny and memorable.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book and a reminder that when life knocks you down you get back up and don't let it hold you back.