Glue

by Constance Ann Fitzgerald

Glue is a meditation on grief and addiction, the loss of loved ones, and our incredible power to rebuild ourselves after everything falls apart. Heartbreaking, honest, and all-too-human, Glue is one of the most powerful books of the year.

Genres: Memoir, Bizarro Fiction, Nonfiction

82 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2016

Reviews

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for anyone who has experienced the nauseous void of loss and has tried to put the pieces back together, even if some are missing. Our tears bind us.

[Benoit Lelièvre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel terrible giving less than 5 stars to a book so visceral and heartfelt, but a my new year's resolution of complete honesty when reviewing it still holding up so I would feel even worse giving it 5 starts on principle although it would deserve it.

GLUE is more or less a grieving journal narrated at the second person. I don't know whether any of it is true, but I assume it is since the narrator's father is named Ray and Fitzgerald dedicated the book to her parents Ray and Pat in the foreword. Grieving journals are a dime a dozen on the publishing market but what makes this one remarkable is that the protagonist is actually talking to herself throughout: mapping the layers of her grief, confronting her trauma and sometime collapsing from the pain. This is borderline metafiction, really and it's some of the most earnest almost metafiction you've ever read.

I finished GLUE, pit it on my nightstand and tiptoed out of the room like I was witnessing actors practicing for a stage play, but actually crying and slapping each other to the point I did not know if they were practicing anymore. Feel me? There's undeniable power to it. I felt a little voyeuristic reading it and submitting it to my judgment, but for a moment the pain this book communicates was very alive and all around me.

[Emma Alice Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting, and that might have been a mistake, because it got me all worked up emotionally. I should have gotten up and taken a breath, but the book just compels you to keep going. There is seriously a lot to absorb in here for such a small book. It's about dealing with death, and not dealing with death, and how the ones you love always stay with you in some way, even if it's not necessarily the way you would have liked. There's no pretension here. No navel-gazing. It's very real, from the tough-to-deal with hospital bits to the awful quarrels between family members at the worst possible times that reveal how someone can seem like two different people from different familial vantage points. Recommended.

[Danger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotionally raw, this thin memoir touches upon loss, addiction, and healing with stark and straightforward prose. It’s sorrowful, yet at the same time hopeful, and although the particular details of each person’s life story may not exactly echo that of the author, the truths and realizations she comes to continuously throughout the narrative should resonate with just about everyone. It takes a lot to go this deep, and as a reader, it takes a lot to allow it deeply into you as well. This is a brave book, to be sure.

[Frederic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one left me feeling very, very sad. I mean, I seriously need to go hug my parents right now. This is such a quick, and extremely powerful little book. I’ll definitely be picking up Constance’s other book soon. Highly recommended.

[Michael Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melancholy, remorseful, confessional, yet universal. Such a beautiful and moving book, I read it in single sitting. Very highly recommended.

[Andrew Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I thought Glue was an avant-garde art book. You know, like all the pages were glued together, making it strange and unreadable. But boy oh boy was I wrong. It is called Glue because it glues your mind to the page and the characters. Written in second person, you become them and they become you. And it does this in 82 tiny pages (thank god), because if it were any longer, my heart would melt from emotional overload.

This emotional memoir is a motherfucking masterpiece. As the back of the cover states, it is a meditation on grief and addiction, loss and love. But more than that, Glue shows us the beauty of humanity when it is most needed. Again and again, in the midst of misery, the narrator is saved by the kindness of strangers. This book reminds us how beautiful people are. It also shows us how terrible they can be. But ultimately, Glue teaches us the importance of human dignity. It reminds us to help each other in the worst (or best) of times. It teaches us how to love platonically and how to be human.

Buy this book. Glue it to your forehead. And let your eyes sift through the beautiful pages.

[Rodney · Rating 5 out of 5]

There​ ​is​ ​much​ ​to​ ​say​ ​about​ ​book,​ ​so​ ​much​ ​I​ ​related​ ​to,​ ​that​ ​I​ ​was​ ​honestly​ ​caught​ ​off-guard.​ ​It pulls​ ​no​ ​punches​ ​and​ ​will​ ​disrupt​ ​you.​ ​Glue​ ​is​ ​striking,​ ​personal​ ​and​ ​candid,​ ​with​ ​a​ ​resonant quality​ ​you​ ​cannot​ ​deny.​ ​​It’s​ ​​symbolism​​ ​​had​​ ​​me​​ ​​examining​​ ​​my​​ ​​own​​ ​​life.​​ ​​I​ ​could​ ​provide​ ​examples, but​ ​this​ ​would​ ​accomplish​ ​little​ ​because​ ​the​ ​book​ ​tugged​ ​on​ ​my​ ​memories​ ​and​ ​experiences​ ​like nothing​ ​I​ ​have​ ​read.
While​ ​relaying​​​ ​​tragedy​ ​​and​​ ​detrimental​ ​behaviors​ ​we​ ​use​ ​to​ ​cope,​ ​​the​ ​book​ ​also​ ​displays hope​​ ​through​ ​the​ ​kindness​​ ​​of​​ ​​strangers​ ​when​ ​it​ ​is​ ​most​ ​needed​ ​and​ ​the​ ​strength​ ​of​ ​the​ ​human condition.​​ ​​The rebuilding​ we must do ​after​​​ ​​​great ​​​losses​​​ ​​​is never easy.​ ​We​​ ​​each get​​ ​​through​​ it​ ​in​ ​our​ ​own​ ​ways​ ​and​ ​life​ ​goes​ ​on.​ ​As​ ​a​ ​metaphor​ ​for​ ​that​ ​which​ ​holds us​ ​together​,​ ​Glue​ ​is​ ​a​ ​journey​ ​that​ ​I​ ​strongly​ ​encourage​ ​you​ ​to​ ​take.

[Russell Holbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to find this in the mailbox when I got home from work Wednesday afternoon. I'd wanted to read it for quite some time and since I've been working on my own memoir for a few months now, I felt that now was the ideal time to check it out. I didn't really know what I was in for. I started it Thursday morning before work. I was almost late because I didn't want to put it down. So, I took it with me. I usually read horror fiction during my lunch break to give me a reprieve from work, but that day I found myself sitting in the truck reading Glue. Much like other reviewers have already stated, this little book broke my heart, put it back together, and then broke it again. I love the metaphor of the vase and how that relates to the book's title and the overall theme. It's all just brilliant, so much so that I kinda wanted to give up but then, like the narrator, I thought better and decided that I'm worth it to keep going. Thank you for this, Constance, for real.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een kort verslag in de 'Jij' vorm geschreven over een lange rouwperiode. Mooi.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book is about coping with tragedy and grief. It doesn't so much philosophize about our grief process as describe it. That in and of itself is enlightening.

The book is the right length to accomplish its task. If it were longer I would not have completed it. It was a bit of a challenge to pick up every time I wanted to read. That is because of the heavy subject matter.

I feel I have a greater understanding of my personal grief process after reading this.

[Joe Zanetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fitzgerald's "Glue" is one of those books that hits you right in the gut, collapsing you and gasping for air. It's an emotionally powerful exploration of guilt, loss, grief, love, and the forces that bind us to those we love and are closest to. "Glue" also explores the kindness that people can be capable of; how a stranger on a plane can slightly ease your pain by buying you a drink, or your roommate loaning you their credit card so you can book your flight to see your parents after they've been in an accident. And no matter how much tragedy and suffering one experiences, Fitzgerald shows just how strong the human spirit can be, through keeping it together and never giving up. Yes, "Glue" is an appropriate title. What really makes the book so engaging and effective, is Fitzgerald's use of the second person narrative, which, I think, was the only way to go for something so personal, honest, and brutal. This is one book that guarantees to stay with you.

[Cassie Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book perfectly captures the feelings of pain and hopelessness that come from experiencing a tragic loss in a way that's almost difficult to read.

Unflinchingly honest, the story is told by layering different parts of the narrator's life and past together in a way that paints a realistic depiction of not just their grief and loss, but also of the strength it takes to keep going and keep trying when everything inside you is screaming at you to stop.

I loved it, highly recommended - but go into it knowing that it might be a bit emotional. Despite the short page count, I had to take a crying break partway through because I am soft. Keep tissues ready if you are also soft.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful examination of loss and heartache, a glimpse into moments surrounding grief that are both surreal and brutally real. Few authors are this gifted at articulating emotional devastation, and even fewer authors can move me to tears.

[Austin Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glue is a manifesto of raw emotion written with breakneck pacing. Some of the best minimalist writing I’ve read. Ever. Bravo!

[M D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glue is raw and visceral and written as a stream of conscious, journal entries over time. It’s heartbreaking and painful, at times intrusively so. 3 stars.

[Bix Skahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slim, sad book is worth the read. A lot of relatable stuff about death and loss.

[David Catney · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant.

[Scott Unfried · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A woman who had…gone down a really dark path, and then decided she wanted more for herself. So, she went out and got it.” This describes Constance Ann Fitzgerald in a nutshell.

I have tremendous admiration and respect for this author.

I too finished this book in one sitting. In less than two hours.

The use of second person pulls us deeply into the unfolding events: hard, searing, tragic events.

From here on I will write the rest of this review in second person, complete with fragments, as a little tribute to the beauty of the writing.

You are struck that a bizarro press, Lazy Fascist Press, put this out? You think this could have been published anywhere. You realize this book is the kind of book that will bridge the bizarro and mainstream literary communities if enough people read it.

After finishing the book you realize this book is the literary embodiment of sobriety. You reflect that this is as straightforward as writing gets. And as absorbing. And as necessary.

You also go back and check the use of tenses because that’s the kind of thing you do as a student of strong writing. You realize that there was a masterful alternation between past and present tenses that was invisible during the initial reading.

You keep reading as literary fragments flow perfectly. Then a deeper meaning seems to be there, the fragments symbolizing the fragmentation of life brought about by tragedy. Grief leads to addiction. Addiction leads to shame. Shame leads to self-recognition. Self-recognition leads to the will to change. You forget yourself. You changed into a better person, a person your parents would be proud of. A person who is a perfect example of how to come back from the depths of suffering and bad judgment: you.

Earlier in the book. As you read, you notice that the most tragic events repeat themselves. Every time they repeat you notice the details change. You realize that even these gut-wrenching flashbulb memories will fade. Pain fades. Love fades. Your time is precious. Your loved ones are precious. Even you are precious. Even the unforgettable will be lost to time.

You ponder the references to the joys of Fleetwood Mac songs. You listen to them after you finish the book. You enjoy the music. You feel closer to a stranger. You realize that this book is a heartfelt hug to the grieving. And to anybody who seeks comfort.

[Jessica Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummm, wow. I read parts of this in the writing group I'm in with the author, so, of course I pre-ordered it and knew I'd like at least the parts I'd read. But damn. This book is so powerful. The use of second tense practically turns the pages for you, and the heartache pulls the salt from your eyes unbidden. Grief, denial of grief, bad choices and so much human pack themselves into this tiny pink book. Incredible.

[Kaylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my first reading of bizarro fiction it was good! The story was raw and real and sad. I finished it in 20 minutes.

[Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know a book is good when it makes you better able to show your parents and siblings that you love them deeply. Not only did Glue made me unafraid to express my feelings, but it also reminded me that no one we love should be taken for granted.
The main character is utterly relatable, endearing and winsome. Spending that moment with her was a very cherishable experience. The author tackles a difficult subject matter with talent and tact, which I believe is a rare quality.
Let me put it bluntly: If this book doesn't move you, then you should audition for a Walking Dead zombie role. They will love you.

[Josh Martens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible book. I busted out in tears a few times. I read this in 2 sittings because I had to take a small emotional break for a night and let the first 50 pages sink in before I could handle the rest. Absolutely stunning for such a small book. I can't wait to read more by Ms.Fitzgerald.

[Dustin Reade · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fantastic, brutally honest little book. I read it in one siting.