This Road Must Go Somewhere: And Other Things I Told Myself

by Becky Franzel

There is no definitive guide on how to deal with trauma. Google does not have a complete answer to “How do I feel better again?” After I found my best friend and high school sweetheart dead, I didn’t know what to do or where to go. Instead of going to a therapist, as I probably should have done, I went on a series of disjointed, rambling road trips following the last band we saw together. I did not have a plan. I did not have any expectations. All I knew was I had to keep moving. It was in this constant manic motion that I somehow learned to live again.

In this book, I hope to open up a larger discussion on mental health, and tell the story of those who survive past a suicide of a loved one. All proceeds made from this book will go directly towards Survivors of Suicide programs in each of the cities I visited during the year following my high school sweetheart’s death (Milwaukee, WI; Madison, WI; New Orleans, LA; St. Louis, MO; Cleveland, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; NYC, NY; Iowa City, IA; Boston, MA; Indianapolis, IA)

Genres: Nonfiction

127 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Queerwheels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an honest, raw, account of one person's journey through grief after her beloved committed suicide. It is not an easy read but definitely worth it. There were so many moments while reading this book that I just felt connected to the author on a completely human level.
#thisroadmustgosomewhere

[John Marszalkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true story of a Becky Franzel, a young woman struggling to cope with her boyfriend's death. In this book, she takes the reader through the following time in her life as she attempts to "fix" herself with psychological-homemade-rituals and a self-prescription of alcohol.
At times, I could relate to her and find rationality in what she was doing and thinking. At other times I found myself yelling at the pages: "Girl, please talk to a therapist!" But writing is a great therapy. It helped her organize overwhelming emotions, to translate unherded thoughts into unheard text. She does this, on display, for the good of others.
For some, this book might be an instruction manual of what works (and what doesn't) with the mental trauma left in the wake of tragedy. For myself, and what I got out of it; It was a story of a broken mind on a journey (a literal journey back and forth across the country) in search of peace, but only waking behavior-crippling memories. The book leaves you with an unfinished story (as it should because the author's story is far from over) with a possibly positive outlook. Yet, after reading her story, and seeing inside her mind, I can't help but worry about her.
Miss Franzel, I believe you've come far. I think you'll move even farther FORWARD. I hope you write a self-help sequel to this book, titled "My Full Recovery." But for now, thank you for sharing This Road Must Go Somewhere: And Other Things I Told Myself with the world.

[Robert Fitzgerald]

This book is not only engaging and completely absorbing, but highly insightful! Becky is a very inclusive writer and takes you with her on her quest for answers! I definitely felt I was a part of her story and gained a deeper insight into human suffering and strength. This Road Must Go Somewhere, is a very good read! I couldn’t put it down! I’m excited to read her second book, Moving Forward! Robert Fitzgerald DC

[Will Lennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful. It's an odyssey across a music scene, the country and the barren landscape of an unbelievable trauma all wrapped up into one.

[Ryan Matejka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an insightful look inside the mind of a person succumbing to and eventually learning to move on from grief, told as anecdotal essays from various cities across the US. While there are no answers here, that doesn't mean there's nothing to be gained. I'd recommend this to anyone who feels like they're alone and struggling to connect.