Alone.

by Michael Califra

It has been forty-four hollow days since Henry died. The phone has stopped ringing; people no longer make spontaneous visits. Having paid their respects, friends and neighbors have moved on from their concern and back to daily routines, removed from her grief and mourning. Inside the house she and Henry had shared, Paige sat in solitude. Alone. Twenty-four hours in which she struggles to come to terms with the death of her partner of forty years, and the choices she made in life. Whiplashing between memories of joy and sadness, anger and love, with the simple touch of household objects evoking memories of devastating clarity, Paige begins a journey, spiraling downward to a dark place seemingly beyond redemption.

An emotionally charged, often disturbing study in the pathology of bereavement, Alone. is a window into one woman’s battle with herself, and the ‘unique universality’ of loss.

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2020

About the author

Michael Califra’s books are examinations of individuals resisting or succumbing to events in a world that is often absurd.

Califra lived and worked in Germany, mostly in Berlin, from 1986 to 1998 where he wrote the novel, "No Man's Land." When the Berlin Wall fell, and Germany and Berlin were reunified, it soon became clear that the city he knew would be quickly erased, just as the Berlin of the Kaiser had been overtaken by Weimar Berlin, which was then been wiped away by Hitler's capital, only to be replaced yet again by Cold War cities of East and West Berlin. Wanting to document the place he knew would soon dissolve into history was the motivation behind writing his novel.

The author has also executive produced feature films starring such Hollywood talent as Rosario Dawson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Paul Rudd and Winona Ryder.

Reviews

[Carole Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a short read about a woman who has just become widowed. Her partner of many years has died after a fairly protracted illness, leaving her bereft. At first she does not know what she will do without him, her love for him has been so all-consuming, but gradually she comes to realise that he was extremely selfish - accepting her love without really returning it, allowing her to care for him without actually caring much about her. I have to say I did not like this book much, I felt that the widow had been rather stupid and that, as she ultimately realised, had in effect spoilt her life by marrying him.

[Sterlingcindysu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick free read for Kindle from Amazon.

Paige is mourning the death of her husband Henry 44 days earlier. She was much younger than him and at 67 will have to go back to work, sell the house and deal with growing older alone since they had no children.

This is a stream of consciousness book, where the entire story unfolds in Paige's mind and I think 132 pages is about as much as I can handle being in someone else's head. There's no chapter breaks or conversations with others. During that time she reflects on life with her parents, her fiancé and Henry.



I wish Paige would live on her own for awhile and realize *her* mistakes rather that blaming Henry for her decisions. The fact that George, the old finance called at the end will just reinforce Paige's life of being dependent on men "taking care of her". OTOH at 67 don't we all want someone to be with?

[Debbie Darnell-kielman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deep, heartfelt “essay” written by a widow after her husband passed away. Her thoughts took us through the stages of acceptance of death; at times, I wondered if she would accept his death. The story was very well-written, and to me, this means it kept my interest and I wanted to pursue the story. She thought of actions by her husband and sought a deeper meaning. It was dark but not off-putting. I can’t classify it as entertaining or enjoyable. I thought it was a good read.

[Amy Fly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense and emotional

From the first line you care about the characters in this book. A roller coaster ride of a day and night in the life of a mourning woman. You come to cheer her on by the end of the book. I enjoyed this quick read

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very emotional reading.

A recent widow deals with the emotional baggage of her lifetime. Worth reading. Story moves fast and easily. Great ending.

[Terry L Ziegenbein · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can’t finish it...

[Robyn M. Hejnosz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read and interesting examination of grief and those left behind. Didn't like the ending though as no one "snaps" out of grief that quickly.

[Frances Bertles · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is real

Read Every Word. You will Feel The pain, You will cry. There is little joy Great Reality. You And I Will cry2 gather