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Standing on My Brother's Shoulders: Making Peace with Grief and Suicide - A True Story
A suicide loss survivor tells her story.
Tara Lal’s childhood was battered by her father’s mental illness and by her mother’s death when she was thirteen. Caught up in grief and despair, she developed a deep, caring bond with her charismatic and kind older brother Adam, though he struggled silently with growing anxiety and depression. Four years after their mother’s death, Adam committed suicide.
Grief and insecurity threatened to engulf Tara, but eventually she found, through a dialogue with the words her brother left behind in his diaries, her reason to live.
The book includes an Afterword on the possibilities for recovery and growth following a tragedy, written by Miriam Akhtar, author of Positive Psychology for Overcoming Depression.
Tara Lal’s childhood was battered by her father’s mental illness and by her mother’s death when she was thirteen. Caught up in grief and despair, she developed a deep, caring bond with her charismatic and kind older brother Adam, though he struggled silently with growing anxiety and depression. Four years after their mother’s death, Adam committed suicide.
Grief and insecurity threatened to engulf Tara, but eventually she found, through a dialogue with the words her brother left behind in his diaries, her reason to live.
The book includes an Afterword on the possibilities for recovery and growth following a tragedy, written by Miriam Akhtar, author of Positive Psychology for Overcoming Depression.
- GenresMemoir
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 20, 2020
Wow what can I say except this book was truly moving. Tara put her heart on her sleeve when writing this book, like she always has. This book was deeply moving on so many levels. Heartwarming, heart breaking to say the least. It moved me as a human being to read someone's else's journey through grief, pain and suffering. As well as navigating back to being able to find joys in life even through all the darkness she faced. She is an courages, strong and beautiful women and her journey will help many feel less alone in their journey with grief. Truly one of the best books I have read in my LIFE. In my top 3 for sure. A must read. Can't say enough about it except get your hands on it and read this amazing book!! Xxx👏🙂
December 7, 2024
A great read for anyone navigating grief, particularly suicide. My only regret is not reading this sooner.
September 7, 2015
Tara tells her story, and it is not an easy one. She lost her mother, who was the backbone of the family at 13. Her dad did not know what to live for afterwards, but survived. Tara got closer to Adam, her older brother, and they comforted each other through letters while apart, Adam at Oxford, Tara finishing high school. Then, the unexpected happens when she is 17, Adam commits suicide.
Tara tries to describe the emptiness of her life, with no anchor point, no place to call home, no one to give her love. Of course, her father loves her, but he has been marked by the events of his life, family break ups with his brother who remained in India, and he has never been the solid kind.
Tara falls in love with boys, while too young to create long lasting bonds, and get used to a constant unhappiness. She is smart enough to look for help and sees a psychologist, though it will take her years to understand she is not doomed by some kind of horrible fate. If she wants to be happy, she can, but she must learn how to do it. For that, she has to accept that Adam wanted to kill himself, as hard as it sounds, and that she may choose a different way. She goes to India with her father, to improve their relationship, and to meet the brother who was left behind, her uncle Shambhu. Shanbhu will tell her a few truths about happiness, you must find it anywhere, because the source is engraved in your soul. Tara writes to her father about feelings and he acknowledges his lack of ability to cope with problems life sends you.
Nothing is solved. Another tentative relationship ends up as a failure, as Tara decides to rely on herself and invest emotionally where she is useful, like with the fire force as a volunteer.
This book wants to convey a message of hope and confidence in life. But it mostly reminds you that you depend on others, and being lonely is tough, no matter why you lack close relationships. I hope Tara will find companionship along in her life and that she will mature with people close to her.
Tara tries to describe the emptiness of her life, with no anchor point, no place to call home, no one to give her love. Of course, her father loves her, but he has been marked by the events of his life, family break ups with his brother who remained in India, and he has never been the solid kind.
Tara falls in love with boys, while too young to create long lasting bonds, and get used to a constant unhappiness. She is smart enough to look for help and sees a psychologist, though it will take her years to understand she is not doomed by some kind of horrible fate. If she wants to be happy, she can, but she must learn how to do it. For that, she has to accept that Adam wanted to kill himself, as hard as it sounds, and that she may choose a different way. She goes to India with her father, to improve their relationship, and to meet the brother who was left behind, her uncle Shambhu. Shanbhu will tell her a few truths about happiness, you must find it anywhere, because the source is engraved in your soul. Tara writes to her father about feelings and he acknowledges his lack of ability to cope with problems life sends you.
Nothing is solved. Another tentative relationship ends up as a failure, as Tara decides to rely on herself and invest emotionally where she is useful, like with the fire force as a volunteer.
This book wants to convey a message of hope and confidence in life. But it mostly reminds you that you depend on others, and being lonely is tough, no matter why you lack close relationships. I hope Tara will find companionship along in her life and that she will mature with people close to her.
May 16, 2016
Tara J. Lal offers real hope to those who have encountered tragedy. This book tells the story of the Lal family where the mother, Bridget, steps up to take on the bulk of the household responsibity because her husband suffers from numerous nervous breakdowns. For the years, she is the glue that keeps everything together and the children admire her. Despite the obvious difficulties, the family is close. Tara has an older sister, Jo and Brother Adam. Her bond with her brother is significant. He is her mentor, role model and she seeks to please him early on. Adam is super intelligent and good looking also. The family expects a lot from him and he seems to always be striving for perfection. Sadly Adam cannot accept himself any other way.
The book explains the tremendous loss everyone goes through when Tara's mother passes away from cancer. Mr. Lal by now is diagnosed with schizophrenia and through no fault of his own, he cannot fill his wives shoes. Instead he is sent back to the mental hospital. Tara leans on her brother, Adam for emotional strength. Although he is living outside of the home, he writes frequently. Their relationship is more like best friends so when he begins to isolate due to depression, she knows immediately that something is not right. At times, the reader experiences the same heartbreak that Tara goes through but I couldn't put the book down. My desire was to find out how did she make it through. I was given the honor to read this true story by Goodreads in exchange for my honest opinion. I highly recommend this book. Through it out Tara was able to take the negative experiences in her life and turn them into a positive for not only herself, but all those who read her journey.
The book explains the tremendous loss everyone goes through when Tara's mother passes away from cancer. Mr. Lal by now is diagnosed with schizophrenia and through no fault of his own, he cannot fill his wives shoes. Instead he is sent back to the mental hospital. Tara leans on her brother, Adam for emotional strength. Although he is living outside of the home, he writes frequently. Their relationship is more like best friends so when he begins to isolate due to depression, she knows immediately that something is not right. At times, the reader experiences the same heartbreak that Tara goes through but I couldn't put the book down. My desire was to find out how did she make it through. I was given the honor to read this true story by Goodreads in exchange for my honest opinion. I highly recommend this book. Through it out Tara was able to take the negative experiences in her life and turn them into a positive for not only herself, but all those who read her journey.
October 4, 2015
This book was sent to me from NetGalley for my honest review.
This is Tara's true story about how she had to deal with her mother's death, who was the backbone of the family that held everything together, how her father did not know how to deal with the death of his wife.
During this time Tara and her older brother, Adam, formed a bond Then at the age of 17 Tara's brother committed suicide while he was is school at Oxford. With her mother's death and now her brother's suicide, Tara had to seek help from a psychologist. During this time Tara had many relationships that failed; it took her many years to find out that she was not destined by some horrible fate. For Tara to be happy she must learn how to deal with her brother's suicide and realize that her brother wanted to die.
This story is a true and to the point , it also reminds us that we are all depended on other people.
Sooner or later Tara will find someone, because being alone is very harmful to a person.
This book is a very good read and very informative about what Tara goes through. I give this book 5 stars.
This is Tara's true story about how she had to deal with her mother's death, who was the backbone of the family that held everything together, how her father did not know how to deal with the death of his wife.
During this time Tara and her older brother, Adam, formed a bond Then at the age of 17 Tara's brother committed suicide while he was is school at Oxford. With her mother's death and now her brother's suicide, Tara had to seek help from a psychologist. During this time Tara had many relationships that failed; it took her many years to find out that she was not destined by some horrible fate. For Tara to be happy she must learn how to deal with her brother's suicide and realize that her brother wanted to die.
This story is a true and to the point , it also reminds us that we are all depended on other people.
Sooner or later Tara will find someone, because being alone is very harmful to a person.
This book is a very good read and very informative about what Tara goes through. I give this book 5 stars.
September 10, 2016
Tara loved and hero worshipped her brother and when he took such an extreme step, he left her totally devastated. The book is honest, insightful and I was totally caught up with Tara's story of loss and survival and how she broke the cycle of grief and despair in her own life.
August 4, 2020
TRIGGER WARNING - suicide
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Thank you to Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for approving me to read this ARC of Tara Lal's story, which will be available in September.
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I admire Tara Lal for writing this book and sharing her experiences. To be so vulnerable and open is not easy, especially about topics like mental ill health and suicide, which still receive a lot of stigma even today.
People can be well-intentioned, but their responses can still be damaging because they don't know what to say, or seek to avoid the topic rather than allowing it to be discussed.
As someone who has had an immediate family member (my Mum) die by suicide, this book was very relevant to me, and I wish I'd come across it sooner.
-
'words matter and language matters when we talk about mental ill health and suicide. By changing the way we talk about mental ill health and suicide at an individual level, we can gently reframe the public narrative to effect change at organisational, community and international level.'
-
Lal's portrayal of her family is very honest throughout her book. She talks candidly about her memories and experiences of her Father's mental ill health, her Mother's death while she was still very young, and her Brother's suicide.
It is a tender story, but one that is full of love and seeking understanding. I especially liked how she wove her Brother's own writing through the story as a parallel to different points in her own life.
-
'I have often asked myself whether whether my father's psychological struggles were the result of a genetic trait passed onto him from his mother or a product of the trauma he endured during his childhood. I could ask the same about my brother.'
-
Lal's book spoke to me specifically as I recognise a lot of my own behaviours in her portrayal of herself: shrinking 'to avoid conflict, to avoid being seen'; being 'the ultimate goody-goody' in school; the anger, the crushing loss, and the worry that what has happened to her Brother could happen to her.
-
'Just as words cannot adequately describe love, so they cannot adequately convey unimaginable pain.'
-
Every death that touches us is unique, and the way that it affects those involved can be very different.
Lal's growth through the story is very endearing, especially in her recognition of her sister's response to the griefs they have both suffered. Recognising the pressure her sister was under is, in a way, very generous. I often think people can be so wrapped up in their personal grief that they don't acknowledge the struggles of those around them, or that they somehow dismiss them as being less important than their own feelings.
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'one doesn't find peace in another person or a place or even an experience. I had to find my own peace from within'.
-
I would highly recommend this book, especially for anyone who has suffered grief where someone has died by suicide. Only by talking about it and normalising it more can we finally break the stigma and support each other.
-
'while I believe there is no end to grief, the same is true of healing, and with the healing comes hope, selfdiscovery and clarity.'
-
IF YOU ARE HAVING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS PLEASE SEEK HELP - Samaritans call 116 123
-
Thank you to Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for approving me to read this ARC of Tara Lal's story, which will be available in September.
-
I admire Tara Lal for writing this book and sharing her experiences. To be so vulnerable and open is not easy, especially about topics like mental ill health and suicide, which still receive a lot of stigma even today.
People can be well-intentioned, but their responses can still be damaging because they don't know what to say, or seek to avoid the topic rather than allowing it to be discussed.
As someone who has had an immediate family member (my Mum) die by suicide, this book was very relevant to me, and I wish I'd come across it sooner.
-
'words matter and language matters when we talk about mental ill health and suicide. By changing the way we talk about mental ill health and suicide at an individual level, we can gently reframe the public narrative to effect change at organisational, community and international level.'
-
Lal's portrayal of her family is very honest throughout her book. She talks candidly about her memories and experiences of her Father's mental ill health, her Mother's death while she was still very young, and her Brother's suicide.
It is a tender story, but one that is full of love and seeking understanding. I especially liked how she wove her Brother's own writing through the story as a parallel to different points in her own life.
-
'I have often asked myself whether whether my father's psychological struggles were the result of a genetic trait passed onto him from his mother or a product of the trauma he endured during his childhood. I could ask the same about my brother.'
-
Lal's book spoke to me specifically as I recognise a lot of my own behaviours in her portrayal of herself: shrinking 'to avoid conflict, to avoid being seen'; being 'the ultimate goody-goody' in school; the anger, the crushing loss, and the worry that what has happened to her Brother could happen to her.
-
'Just as words cannot adequately describe love, so they cannot adequately convey unimaginable pain.'
-
Every death that touches us is unique, and the way that it affects those involved can be very different.
Lal's growth through the story is very endearing, especially in her recognition of her sister's response to the griefs they have both suffered. Recognising the pressure her sister was under is, in a way, very generous. I often think people can be so wrapped up in their personal grief that they don't acknowledge the struggles of those around them, or that they somehow dismiss them as being less important than their own feelings.
-
'one doesn't find peace in another person or a place or even an experience. I had to find my own peace from within'.
-
I would highly recommend this book, especially for anyone who has suffered grief where someone has died by suicide. Only by talking about it and normalising it more can we finally break the stigma and support each other.
-
'while I believe there is no end to grief, the same is true of healing, and with the healing comes hope, selfdiscovery and clarity.'
-
IF YOU ARE HAVING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS PLEASE SEEK HELP - Samaritans call 116 123
August 6, 2020
In this incredible book, Standing on My Brother’s Shoulders: Making Peace with Grief and Suicide, we see not just a family struggling with heartache but a true study in the impact that mental illness, grief and suicide can have on both a family and an individual. Tara J Lal talks us through living with a father struggling with mental ill-health, a mother that has taken the brunt of most of the family life and then sadly passes away, a deep sibling bond with her brother Adam and the shattering loss she experienced when he lost his life to suicide, and ultimately where that left her and how she learnt to heal.
This is a raw but beautiful account of a life so heavily impacted by grief and mental ill-health, showing the devastating effects this can have within a family and as an individual trying to find your way in the world. In the case of her brother, Adam, who did not manage to find his way, Tara shares his inner thoughts in such a caring, delicate way, it felt like she was truly honouring who he was and how he felt. It was a privileged insight into another person’s struggle. The way that Tara wove his writing into her own experiences, thought patterns, challenges and discoveries was masterful. It was like an echo of two souls connected even through death.
Tara handles this incredibly delicate subject with care and sensitivity. Working within mental health, I really appreciated the re-write and subsequent re-release of the book to include adaptations to the language and descriptions that better reflect our understanding of suicide now compared to 5 years ago at it’s initial release. This shows instantly how Tara has a real thoughtfulness and compassion surrounding these topics and can handle them well.
Having said that, this book does cover some incredibly difficult and intense topics. The writings she shares, both of her own thoughts and those immortalised in her brother’s writing are often so raw and brutally honest, it is hard not to feel. There is beauty in what is written too, it’s there throughout, in the descriptions, the understanding and genuine human responses to these experiences. But it’s wise to make sure you are in a place where you are able to read this without it having an adverse effect.
As someone that has experienced loss through suicide and had periods of time where I too made those attempts, it felt like this book spoke to me on a whole other level too. I related to both Tara’s and Adam’s writings, the inner turmoil, the aftermath and the healing. Although no two experiences are ever the same, I found comfort in the explanations and a sense of not being alone in this experience. I was often left lost in thought after certain phrases, appreciating the explanation that at times has been hard to find, and yet there it was, right in front of me. Even if you’ve not been impacted by suicide, this book will provide you with such an insight into the plight and struggles of those that have. It is powerful and invaluable!
Thank you to Tara J Lal, Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This is a raw but beautiful account of a life so heavily impacted by grief and mental ill-health, showing the devastating effects this can have within a family and as an individual trying to find your way in the world. In the case of her brother, Adam, who did not manage to find his way, Tara shares his inner thoughts in such a caring, delicate way, it felt like she was truly honouring who he was and how he felt. It was a privileged insight into another person’s struggle. The way that Tara wove his writing into her own experiences, thought patterns, challenges and discoveries was masterful. It was like an echo of two souls connected even through death.
Tara handles this incredibly delicate subject with care and sensitivity. Working within mental health, I really appreciated the re-write and subsequent re-release of the book to include adaptations to the language and descriptions that better reflect our understanding of suicide now compared to 5 years ago at it’s initial release. This shows instantly how Tara has a real thoughtfulness and compassion surrounding these topics and can handle them well.
Having said that, this book does cover some incredibly difficult and intense topics. The writings she shares, both of her own thoughts and those immortalised in her brother’s writing are often so raw and brutally honest, it is hard not to feel. There is beauty in what is written too, it’s there throughout, in the descriptions, the understanding and genuine human responses to these experiences. But it’s wise to make sure you are in a place where you are able to read this without it having an adverse effect.
As someone that has experienced loss through suicide and had periods of time where I too made those attempts, it felt like this book spoke to me on a whole other level too. I related to both Tara’s and Adam’s writings, the inner turmoil, the aftermath and the healing. Although no two experiences are ever the same, I found comfort in the explanations and a sense of not being alone in this experience. I was often left lost in thought after certain phrases, appreciating the explanation that at times has been hard to find, and yet there it was, right in front of me. Even if you’ve not been impacted by suicide, this book will provide you with such an insight into the plight and struggles of those that have. It is powerful and invaluable!
Thank you to Tara J Lal, Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
June 27, 2020
I have mixed feelings on this memoir. On one hand I really liked Tara and cheered her accomplishments and her ability to cope with her father’s often bizarre behaviour. But on the other hand, her car crash relationships with men and the habit she shared with Adam of navel gazing rather than just getting on with things did frustrate me. Adam’s writing style did nothing for me and I’m afraid I skimmed a lot of it. It is desperately sad that he took his own life at such a young age and wasn’t able to be honest with Tara about how he really felt. His writings did feel a little bit ‘prep school poet’ to me though.
Equally with Tara, though my heart broke reading how movingly she talked about her mother’s passing and Adam’s death she then lost me as a reader when she talked about ‘digging into crevasses’ and all the other flowery therapyspeak.
I am a very practical, pragmatic person though and I’m aware that most reviewers found her analysis of emotions really helpful.
Equally with Tara, though my heart broke reading how movingly she talked about her mother’s passing and Adam’s death she then lost me as a reader when she talked about ‘digging into crevasses’ and all the other flowery therapyspeak.
I am a very practical, pragmatic person though and I’m aware that most reviewers found her analysis of emotions really helpful.
October 25, 2020
“Right now there is someone out there with a wound in the exact shape of your words.
By sharing her story, Tara Lal with her incredible vulnerability and openness has undoubtedly helped heal and educate many hearts. This book will speak to your very soul as the author navigates her own trauma and its long term effects.
Lal traverses her story with a capacity for empathy and understanding that is nothing short of inspiring and a testament to the power of compassion. She has an incredible ability to weave her family’s tale of heartache and loss into what is also a true study and educational understanding in the impact of mental illness, grief and suicide.
Despite the grave subject matter, Lal’s book leaves you feeling unexpectedly uplifted and inspired with the knowledge, that despite loss, you can continue to look for and live a truly beautiful and meaningful life.
By sharing her story, Tara Lal with her incredible vulnerability and openness has undoubtedly helped heal and educate many hearts. This book will speak to your very soul as the author navigates her own trauma and its long term effects.
Lal traverses her story with a capacity for empathy and understanding that is nothing short of inspiring and a testament to the power of compassion. She has an incredible ability to weave her family’s tale of heartache and loss into what is also a true study and educational understanding in the impact of mental illness, grief and suicide.
Despite the grave subject matter, Lal’s book leaves you feeling unexpectedly uplifted and inspired with the knowledge, that despite loss, you can continue to look for and live a truly beautiful and meaningful life.
August 11, 2020
I think this book will stay in my mind for a long time. It is a very well written account of someone dealing with loss and grief, and I don’t think it is similar to anything I have read before. The author walks you through her life, but in doing so, she tells you an incredible story of dealing with things that could as well happen to anyone else. I admire the author's honesty, and how well she was able to write down what has happened in her life. Definitely worth a read.
May 24, 2020
An incredibly brave and moving memoir.
I'll admit there are parts that gets easier dense in detail, but nothing can take away from the raw pain and beauty of this story.
I applaud the author for her honesty and wish her all the peace in the world moving forward.
I'll admit there are parts that gets easier dense in detail, but nothing can take away from the raw pain and beauty of this story.
I applaud the author for her honesty and wish her all the peace in the world moving forward.
July 7, 2020
This book made me have mixed emotions, so many parts I could personally relate to, if you know of anyone struggling I would highly recommend giving this book a read....... Actually I would recommend to anyone thanks netgalley for the opportunity to read this
February 11, 2020
"I no longer see what life took from me - I see what it gave me."
A powerful book on loss, love and hope.
A powerful book on loss, love and hope.
January 16, 2022
i liked the first half of this more than the second half
April 16, 2023
“那种瞬间就像有什么东西砍断了你与生活之间的那条绳子，那条把你与自己所爱的人，与周围的世界甚至是与你自己拴在一起的绳子。” “我就这样站着，悲痛欲绝又无可奈何。"
September 8, 2020
A sisters story of grief and loss which started at a young age after losing her mum to cancer.
Just 4 years after her mother’s death she grieves again, for her older brother who dies by suicide.
This book is brutally honest about Taras grief and her journey after losing her mum and brother but also about her dads mental health.
This book may help people who have also suffered a suicide grief of someone close to them.
Thank you Netgalley and Watkins publishing for the arc in return for an honest review.
Just 4 years after her mother’s death she grieves again, for her older brother who dies by suicide.
This book is brutally honest about Taras grief and her journey after losing her mum and brother but also about her dads mental health.
This book may help people who have also suffered a suicide grief of someone close to them.
Thank you Netgalley and Watkins publishing for the arc in return for an honest review.
February 22, 2016
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Standing on my Brother’s Shoulders is a novel about Tara J Lal and her journey towards acceptance of the grief brought by her brother’s suicide. She also must face her father’s madness and her mother’s death.
It could be quite a heavy book but Lal makes an effort to keep the action moving and to always have a bit of humour. If not, there was a profound insight being shared, or expanded upon. I particularly enjoyed the notes from her brother’s journal.
I read about half of this novel, put it down, then read whole bunch of other things, and came back to it. I actually felt like the story action grew on me more after letting it sit there. I wasn’t particularly focused within reading the novel perhaps because I just wasn’t particularly convinced that she knew what she was doing in the order of actual writing.
I felt frustrated a lot of the time with her ‘character’, but really felt like I got to know her, flaws and all. For goodness sake, seeing a counsellor is always a good place to start (yes, yes, take your own advice). I felt like I really came to know her brother as much as she herself had known him. I would have liked to hear more about her current doings now that she’s overcome her grief.
I’d recommend this normal for those that have been touched by grief and those that are interested in real life memoirs. It is not an entertaining story to read, but it is a valuable addition to anyone’s reading list.
Standing on my Brother’s Shoulders is a novel about Tara J Lal and her journey towards acceptance of the grief brought by her brother’s suicide. She also must face her father’s madness and her mother’s death.
It could be quite a heavy book but Lal makes an effort to keep the action moving and to always have a bit of humour. If not, there was a profound insight being shared, or expanded upon. I particularly enjoyed the notes from her brother’s journal.
I read about half of this novel, put it down, then read whole bunch of other things, and came back to it. I actually felt like the story action grew on me more after letting it sit there. I wasn’t particularly focused within reading the novel perhaps because I just wasn’t particularly convinced that she knew what she was doing in the order of actual writing.
I felt frustrated a lot of the time with her ‘character’, but really felt like I got to know her, flaws and all. For goodness sake, seeing a counsellor is always a good place to start (yes, yes, take your own advice). I felt like I really came to know her brother as much as she herself had known him. I would have liked to hear more about her current doings now that she’s overcome her grief.
I’d recommend this normal for those that have been touched by grief and those that are interested in real life memoirs. It is not an entertaining story to read, but it is a valuable addition to anyone’s reading list.
October 11, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a while to get into this memoir because the first several chapters were background information which I didn't find all that interesting. The memoir did hold my attention enough for me to stick through the background chapters to get to the part where it deals with Tara's brother's depression and suicide. Before reading this book, I thought it was going to focus more on mental health than it actually did, but it was still interesting to see how Tara responded to her father's illness, her brother's suicide, and her own struggles. There was some swearing in the book, but it wasn't excessive. I lost one of my brothers unexpectedly last year and so when Tara talked about losing her brother, I could feel along, and at times I teared up because it reminded me of my loss. Overall, I think this could be an interesting read for those who like memoirs.
It took me a while to get into this memoir because the first several chapters were background information which I didn't find all that interesting. The memoir did hold my attention enough for me to stick through the background chapters to get to the part where it deals with Tara's brother's depression and suicide. Before reading this book, I thought it was going to focus more on mental health than it actually did, but it was still interesting to see how Tara responded to her father's illness, her brother's suicide, and her own struggles. There was some swearing in the book, but it wasn't excessive. I lost one of my brothers unexpectedly last year and so when Tara talked about losing her brother, I could feel along, and at times I teared up because it reminded me of my loss. Overall, I think this could be an interesting read for those who like memoirs.
September 13, 2016
This book teaches us how to be sensitive enough and to open our eyes and hearts to all possibilities, and most importantly, to accept. It lets us know that this can happen to anyone and instantly. It has some great quotes that are applicable to all life situations, and a Do's and Don't's guide in handling depression and suicide ideations/attempts of our family or friends.
February 25, 2016
I was lucky enough to win this book through Goodreads. It was a very heartfelt, deep book. It could have been really dark but the author lightened it up w/humor. Very enriching. Thank you for sharing.
April 30, 2023
我不再专注于缅怀生活从我这里拿走的东西，我只看见它给予我的。
April 14, 2017
I'm so sorry for your loss. I can understand all the heartache and pain you endured. What a brave story to tell. I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews