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Crybaby: Infertility, Illness, and Other Things That Were Not the End of the World
A self-described crybaby who sees the end of the world lurking around every corner, Cheryl E. Klein has relied on planning and hard work to reach her goals and avoid catastrophe. But when she and her partner find their plans for a baby dashed over and over—first by infertility, then miscarriage, and finally a breast cancer diagnosis—Klein’s carefully structured life, marriage, and belief system begin to crumble. Adding a detour through the fickle world of open adoption seems like the last thing she should do; yet where she lacks control, she finds adventure. Empathetic, candid, and often humorous, Crybaby is the story of what happens when a failed perfectionist and successful hypochondriac is forced to make room in her life for grief and joy, fear and hope, all at the same time.
- GenresNonfictionMemoirLGBT
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2022
3 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Klein
5 books43 followersCheryl E. Klein is the author of CRYBABY, a memoir about desperately wanting a baby and getting cancer instead (forthcoming from Brown Paper Press in 2022). She is also the author of two works of fiction: THE COMMUTERS (City Works Press) and LILAC MINES (Manic D Press). She writes and edits for MUTHA Magazine (muthamagazine.com) and blogs about the intersection of life, art, and carbohydrates at breadandbread.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 28, 2022
Review via a free ARC from Netgalley - merci beaucoup!
There are two things that other reviewers have pointed out about this book which I think need addressing.
Firstly, some people have taken umbrage with the fact that this book isn't 'emotional' enough. That Klein discusses her - objectively traumatic and tragic - life experiences with humour, often so dark as to border upon pitch black, and that she doesn't dwell infinitely in the quagmire of misery as all women who suffer should. Frankly, this is absolute nonsense. To accuse this book of lacking emotion, just because its primary emotion isn't unbridled anguish, is to reveal a deep misunderstanding of how it is to experience trauma and to come out the other side. Even in the middle of absolute, unfathomable pain, there is light. Often, it's the only way you can survive the dark. To quote the most cliched phrase of all time, if you don't laugh, you'll cry. Klein does plenty of both in this book. Even waving aside the notion that it's somehow appropriate to judge someone for how they choose to convey their own trauma, it's just nonsense to say that someone owes you relentless misery for you to appreciate the depth of their suffering. They don't.
Secondly, others have expressed concern at the fact that Klein and her partner seemed to choose adoption as a last resort after their fertility treatments didn't work. Again, this to me reveals a misreading of the text. At no point is adoption here presented as being second best to having a biological child. It was pretty obvious to me that they chose to go through fertility treatments first as they knew that the adoption process would likely be much longer, incredibly expensive and emotionally fraught, and that it wasn't a case of considering a baby of adoption some kind of 'commodity', but an awareness of the adoption process as a (necessarily) difficult, arduous one, which Klein didn't initially feel emotionally equipped to cope with. I think it's disingenuous to suggest that Klein and her partner went into the adoption process for the wrong reasons.
With that out of the way: this book. There is no such thing as the perfect book, and of course this one has its faults. The structure was a little off; sometimes Klein moves too fluidly through time and you lose track of where you are. There are a few clangers in here - the decision to quote a Black woman's speech in an overly emphasised rendering of AAVE, when no-one else in the book is ever quoted in dialect, was a poor choice, and Klein's wondering if her respect of a Black woman is an example of the Magical Negro trope feels like a concerted effort to prove her own wokeness in a way that actually suggests the opposite. Most of these were brief instances, rather than anything structural.
Beyond those, this is a book that I absolutely loved. The writing is exquisite. Klein writes with a wry humour and has the ability to turn the mundane or the comical into something heartbreaking by reframing it through the lens of what happens after. She's a master of pathos. I felt for her entirely.
Klein is very, very honest about her own flaws here, in ways that few memoirs are. She doesn't justify her poor behaviour, or her irrational anger at her friends who've made the grievous error of being fertile / not having cancer / having stable jobs and houses. She acknowledges that her anger is envy, and that it's inappropriate, but that she feels it anyway. She accepts that she is not always a good person, but that neither is anyone else. Everyone within the pages of this memoir is complex. Klein's partner is prone to enormous insensitivity, and Klein is equally prone to selfishness. I appreciated the reality of the central relationship here. It felt authentic and honest.
This is not a how-to guide on surviving repeated and complex trauma, but it's a rare, generous account of how one person managed it. This one is going to stick with me for a very, very long time, and I'm inordinately glad that I read it.
There are two things that other reviewers have pointed out about this book which I think need addressing.
Firstly, some people have taken umbrage with the fact that this book isn't 'emotional' enough. That Klein discusses her - objectively traumatic and tragic - life experiences with humour, often so dark as to border upon pitch black, and that she doesn't dwell infinitely in the quagmire of misery as all women who suffer should. Frankly, this is absolute nonsense. To accuse this book of lacking emotion, just because its primary emotion isn't unbridled anguish, is to reveal a deep misunderstanding of how it is to experience trauma and to come out the other side. Even in the middle of absolute, unfathomable pain, there is light. Often, it's the only way you can survive the dark. To quote the most cliched phrase of all time, if you don't laugh, you'll cry. Klein does plenty of both in this book. Even waving aside the notion that it's somehow appropriate to judge someone for how they choose to convey their own trauma, it's just nonsense to say that someone owes you relentless misery for you to appreciate the depth of their suffering. They don't.
Secondly, others have expressed concern at the fact that Klein and her partner seemed to choose adoption as a last resort after their fertility treatments didn't work. Again, this to me reveals a misreading of the text. At no point is adoption here presented as being second best to having a biological child. It was pretty obvious to me that they chose to go through fertility treatments first as they knew that the adoption process would likely be much longer, incredibly expensive and emotionally fraught, and that it wasn't a case of considering a baby of adoption some kind of 'commodity', but an awareness of the adoption process as a (necessarily) difficult, arduous one, which Klein didn't initially feel emotionally equipped to cope with. I think it's disingenuous to suggest that Klein and her partner went into the adoption process for the wrong reasons.
With that out of the way: this book. There is no such thing as the perfect book, and of course this one has its faults. The structure was a little off; sometimes Klein moves too fluidly through time and you lose track of where you are. There are a few clangers in here - the decision to quote a Black woman's speech in an overly emphasised rendering of AAVE, when no-one else in the book is ever quoted in dialect, was a poor choice, and Klein's wondering if her respect of a Black woman is an example of the Magical Negro trope feels like a concerted effort to prove her own wokeness in a way that actually suggests the opposite. Most of these were brief instances, rather than anything structural.
Beyond those, this is a book that I absolutely loved. The writing is exquisite. Klein writes with a wry humour and has the ability to turn the mundane or the comical into something heartbreaking by reframing it through the lens of what happens after. She's a master of pathos. I felt for her entirely.
Klein is very, very honest about her own flaws here, in ways that few memoirs are. She doesn't justify her poor behaviour, or her irrational anger at her friends who've made the grievous error of being fertile / not having cancer / having stable jobs and houses. She acknowledges that her anger is envy, and that it's inappropriate, but that she feels it anyway. She accepts that she is not always a good person, but that neither is anyone else. Everyone within the pages of this memoir is complex. Klein's partner is prone to enormous insensitivity, and Klein is equally prone to selfishness. I appreciated the reality of the central relationship here. It felt authentic and honest.
This is not a how-to guide on surviving repeated and complex trauma, but it's a rare, generous account of how one person managed it. This one is going to stick with me for a very, very long time, and I'm inordinately glad that I read it.
July 25, 2022
There have been many narratives about the body—cancer narratives, fertility struggles, and certainly the way the queer and female body is objectified and politicized in our society. They are necessary and all deserve a place at the literary table. In fact, we need more of them, since female-identified and queer bodies remain subjected to abuse within all institutions, most notably the medical industry.
What I particularly love about Klein’s iteration of this oeuvre, however, is her deft ability to juxtapose seemingly innocuous pop culture references and mundane experiences with the body narrative, usually invoking levity where the book could easily grow maudlin. In one passage the narrator and her partner are watching the cult horror film The Babadook and Klein uses it as a way to relate to her own spectrum of grief. In another quite hilarious passage, Klein recounts recurring arguments over neoliberal politics with her father, and then connects these to systemic privilege and its effect on the socialized female body. These juxtapositions are not rendered with a heavy hand. They weave throughout the narrative with remarkable ease, like having a tipsy life-chat over rosé with a bestie, albeit a very well-read and poetic bestie. That is the sign of a fabulous writer, when the reader doesn’t feel the prose is forced as it laces so many unique themes and motifs.
This is not a survival narrative. It is a surviving narrative. Read it.
What I particularly love about Klein’s iteration of this oeuvre, however, is her deft ability to juxtapose seemingly innocuous pop culture references and mundane experiences with the body narrative, usually invoking levity where the book could easily grow maudlin. In one passage the narrator and her partner are watching the cult horror film The Babadook and Klein uses it as a way to relate to her own spectrum of grief. In another quite hilarious passage, Klein recounts recurring arguments over neoliberal politics with her father, and then connects these to systemic privilege and its effect on the socialized female body. These juxtapositions are not rendered with a heavy hand. They weave throughout the narrative with remarkable ease, like having a tipsy life-chat over rosé with a bestie, albeit a very well-read and poetic bestie. That is the sign of a fabulous writer, when the reader doesn’t feel the prose is forced as it laces so many unique themes and motifs.
This is not a survival narrative. It is a surviving narrative. Read it.
October 20, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was so incredibly emotional and moving. I applaud the author for opening up regarding some of her deepest and most traumatic experiences, and feel grateful that I was able to learn about her story as a lesbian battling cancer and yearning for a child. While the story itself is not flawless, as the pacing sometimes felt inconsistent, it did employ stereotypes for a few of the people mentioned, and the language surrounding the concept of adoption wasn't always perfect, I understand that this may have been due to the author's perspective on the events that unfolded. I do appreciate how she emphasized that every character was deeply flawed, and wasn't afraid to point out her own faults. If you are the kind of person who enjoys memoirs that are so deeply sad you'll have to put it down and take a break several times, then I'd highly recommend.
Content Warnings: cancer, miscarriage, use of homophobic slurs, body checking, infertility, eating disorders, mentions of death, interracial adoption
This book was so incredibly emotional and moving. I applaud the author for opening up regarding some of her deepest and most traumatic experiences, and feel grateful that I was able to learn about her story as a lesbian battling cancer and yearning for a child. While the story itself is not flawless, as the pacing sometimes felt inconsistent, it did employ stereotypes for a few of the people mentioned, and the language surrounding the concept of adoption wasn't always perfect, I understand that this may have been due to the author's perspective on the events that unfolded. I do appreciate how she emphasized that every character was deeply flawed, and wasn't afraid to point out her own faults. If you are the kind of person who enjoys memoirs that are so deeply sad you'll have to put it down and take a break several times, then I'd highly recommend.
Content Warnings: cancer, miscarriage, use of homophobic slurs, body checking, infertility, eating disorders, mentions of death, interracial adoption
September 28, 2022
This book brought so many emotions to me , it was very moving and a rollercoaster of a read. I admit to it bringing a to lump to my throat more then once.
It covers so many topics including cancer, miscarriage, use of homophobic slurs, body checking, infertility, eating disorders, mentions of death, interracial adoption and relationship problems.
The author writes from the heart and at times you can feel the pain in her words and just want to hug her.
Highly recommended this book but beware it will leave you feeling emotional
It covers so many topics including cancer, miscarriage, use of homophobic slurs, body checking, infertility, eating disorders, mentions of death, interracial adoption and relationship problems.
The author writes from the heart and at times you can feel the pain in her words and just want to hug her.
Highly recommended this book but beware it will leave you feeling emotional
May 18, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley, Cheryl Klein and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was absolutely enticed with this book from the moment I read it. Cheryl is an inspiration and she wrote about her life so beautifully that I felt like I was living it with her. I related to her thought processes a lot and it’s given me a lot of hope. I would definitely recommend to anyone
I was absolutely enticed with this book from the moment I read it. Cheryl is an inspiration and she wrote about her life so beautifully that I felt like I was living it with her. I related to her thought processes a lot and it’s given me a lot of hope. I would definitely recommend to anyone
October 20, 2022
Cheryl Klein opens up with her deepest heartfelt feelings -- struggling to have a baby – in this memoir. She begins with a lot of stress and anxiety she was facing. Her mom died from breast cancer in 2003. A relationship didn’t work out. And now she was trying to find someone from a dating site. There was hope. She found Cecilia who went by CC. She had dark brown hair, had a boyish gait, drank vodka and their parents went to the same high school. Turns out she and CC got married and the next step was to have a baby which turned out to be a challenge.
She described in detail what was involved with her infertility treatments. The regimen created great hope but also a lot of fear if it didn’t work. Every time she learned that one of her friends was pregnant, she turned into a “crybaby.” What she didn’t talk about was the cost of the treatments which could add up.
Then, she had to go through treatments for breast cancer with more understandable tears. “It felt more like I’d already died but somehow missed the train to the afterlife. Being stuck among the living felt wrong and torturous.” At this point, there was no baby and she had cancer. She said, “Some people learn the fundamental unfairness at a younger age than I did.” She had surgery and joined a support group. Next, the couple looked into adopting. It was another emotionally difficult part of their journey.
She writes a detailed chronicle of what she went through which could help others in understanding what is involved with specialized fertility services and also healing the body from breast cancer. In both cases, one of the key words was: therapy. Lots of it. After pages of ups and downs, the author presented the readers with a happy ending.
She described in detail what was involved with her infertility treatments. The regimen created great hope but also a lot of fear if it didn’t work. Every time she learned that one of her friends was pregnant, she turned into a “crybaby.” What she didn’t talk about was the cost of the treatments which could add up.
Then, she had to go through treatments for breast cancer with more understandable tears. “It felt more like I’d already died but somehow missed the train to the afterlife. Being stuck among the living felt wrong and torturous.” At this point, there was no baby and she had cancer. She said, “Some people learn the fundamental unfairness at a younger age than I did.” She had surgery and joined a support group. Next, the couple looked into adopting. It was another emotionally difficult part of their journey.
She writes a detailed chronicle of what she went through which could help others in understanding what is involved with specialized fertility services and also healing the body from breast cancer. In both cases, one of the key words was: therapy. Lots of it. After pages of ups and downs, the author presented the readers with a happy ending.
July 12, 2022
I appreciate NetGalley and Cheryl E. Klein for allowing me to read this book early for an honest review.
The story that is being told in this book caught my attention from the beginning. Someone who was diagnosed with cancer while also praying she would have a child. This was something I believed I would be very interested in. Unfortunately, the way that the story is written didn't catch my attention. The author jumps from topic to topic multiple times in one chapter and I had a hard time keeping up with where the story was going. I didn't feel like it flowed nicely. The parts of the book that I felt like I would go into with absolute sorrow and crying, didn't tug at my heart strings. With the topics in this book, I really believed I would be crying or genuinely upset about the issues that arose in her life and I just didn't feel enough, It's not that I don't feel for the author, because cancer runs in my family and the way it tears someone apart emotionally and physically is terrible and I do not wish it on anyone. I just feel that certain parts could have used a lot more emotion to tug at the heartstrings of the readers, However, the story was easy to read and I agreed with some of the ideas and values that the author had.
I wish I could have finished this book, but about 30% into the book I had to stop reading. As a reader, it is hard for me to continue when I am not 100% invested in the book and absolutely drawn in. The writing style and lack of deep emotion are what threw me off and I, unfortunately, had to DNF.
The story that is being told in this book caught my attention from the beginning. Someone who was diagnosed with cancer while also praying she would have a child. This was something I believed I would be very interested in. Unfortunately, the way that the story is written didn't catch my attention. The author jumps from topic to topic multiple times in one chapter and I had a hard time keeping up with where the story was going. I didn't feel like it flowed nicely. The parts of the book that I felt like I would go into with absolute sorrow and crying, didn't tug at my heart strings. With the topics in this book, I really believed I would be crying or genuinely upset about the issues that arose in her life and I just didn't feel enough, It's not that I don't feel for the author, because cancer runs in my family and the way it tears someone apart emotionally and physically is terrible and I do not wish it on anyone. I just feel that certain parts could have used a lot more emotion to tug at the heartstrings of the readers, However, the story was easy to read and I agreed with some of the ideas and values that the author had.
I wish I could have finished this book, but about 30% into the book I had to stop reading. As a reader, it is hard for me to continue when I am not 100% invested in the book and absolutely drawn in. The writing style and lack of deep emotion are what threw me off and I, unfortunately, had to DNF.
July 8, 2022
ARC GIVEN BY NETGALLEY / 2.5 stars
I have complicated feelings about this. I enjoyed the writing style and it was entertaining to read, it was very easy.
I found the infertility and cancer sections to be incredibly insightful (as I haven’t gone through either). It must’ve been horrific experiences.
I do have experience with adoption and this is where most of my complicated feelings lie. I believe that adoption isn’t a tool for building a family, for a way to have a child since you can’t have your own. It is to provide a safe home for a child, which is rarely the intent. Adoption is trauma. A lot of people who take the route of adoption do not care about the process, all they want is a baby. Babies are not commodities, they’re humans. This is a core belief of mine, and the way its talked about goes against mine. The line “if you decided to raise your baby, those are completely valid choices, and you have our blessing” rubs me the wrong way, it’s not your place to give a ‘blessing’, it isn’t your child, it is the birth mums.
Another thing is the line “maybe she had borderline personality disorder” also rubs me the wrong way. BPD is something that impacts a lot of people, and this comment as it refers to a disagreement, adds further stigma to the disorder. (A disorder I have). It isn’t okay to hypothesise about peoples mental health, especially when it comes to BPD which is an incredibly stigmatised disorder.
These are two main issues I have with this book. I understand it is a memoir, so that these are events and actual things that were thought and beliefs held. Because of that, especially when it comes to the BPD part, you have to be careful about what you say and how you portray things. The adoption part is just differing opinion and you can’t change fundamental beliefs. I hope the author is able to reflect on the issues I raise and contemplate whether this is what they want to portray.
I have complicated feelings about this. I enjoyed the writing style and it was entertaining to read, it was very easy.
I found the infertility and cancer sections to be incredibly insightful (as I haven’t gone through either). It must’ve been horrific experiences.
I do have experience with adoption and this is where most of my complicated feelings lie. I believe that adoption isn’t a tool for building a family, for a way to have a child since you can’t have your own. It is to provide a safe home for a child, which is rarely the intent. Adoption is trauma. A lot of people who take the route of adoption do not care about the process, all they want is a baby. Babies are not commodities, they’re humans. This is a core belief of mine, and the way its talked about goes against mine. The line “if you decided to raise your baby, those are completely valid choices, and you have our blessing” rubs me the wrong way, it’s not your place to give a ‘blessing’, it isn’t your child, it is the birth mums.
Another thing is the line “maybe she had borderline personality disorder” also rubs me the wrong way. BPD is something that impacts a lot of people, and this comment as it refers to a disagreement, adds further stigma to the disorder. (A disorder I have). It isn’t okay to hypothesise about peoples mental health, especially when it comes to BPD which is an incredibly stigmatised disorder.
These are two main issues I have with this book. I understand it is a memoir, so that these are events and actual things that were thought and beliefs held. Because of that, especially when it comes to the BPD part, you have to be careful about what you say and how you portray things. The adoption part is just differing opinion and you can’t change fundamental beliefs. I hope the author is able to reflect on the issues I raise and contemplate whether this is what they want to portray.
September 20, 2022
At first I couldn't stand the tone of this book, or the narrator. Cheryl Klein seemed like a wishy-washy, shallow, whiny crybaby, who just wanted the world to hand her a healthy pregnancy on a silver platter. I almost couldn't make it through the first fifty pages, but at some point past that I realized I was reading the book at a pretty good clip, and that my sympathies were slowly turning toward Cheryl as she struggled with IVF, miscarriages, separation from her wife, arguments with her family, breast cancer, removal of her ovaries, and the heartbreak of open adoption. When someone goes through so much, all in the pursuit of the life they wish to lead, you can't help but feel like maybe they should be crying, and you are heartened by the snarky humor they show through the tears. This book especially opened my eyes to the process behind open adoption, and the scams that Cheryl and her partner CC ran into along the way. As a Native person I'm extremely wary of adoption, but I loved hearing about a process that could go right, even if you run into heartbreak along the way.
I admit I was glad to get to the end of this book because it was a harrowing read. But something about Cheryl's refusal to be quiet, and something about the way she never stopped trying to bring her life to where she wanted it saved the book from being too depressing.
I admit I was glad to get to the end of this book because it was a harrowing read. But something about Cheryl's refusal to be quiet, and something about the way she never stopped trying to bring her life to where she wanted it saved the book from being too depressing.
July 2, 2022
This is a nonfiction lgbt memoir that covers many heavy topics that I received as an eARC from NetGalley. This book was absolutely heartbreakingly raw and vulnerable. The author has experienced so many tragedies and hardships in their life that I and many others can relate to. I unfortunately had to DNF as it was a bit too heavy for me emotionally but I would still recommend this, just make sure you read the trigger warnings!
TWs - Breast Cancer; Infertility; Miscarriage; Suicide (mentioned, past, parental); Weight checking; Mammogram; Medical detail; Interracial Adoption; Death (past, neighbour/friend); Ovarian Cancer (past, parental); Chemo (past, parental); Alcohol; Gun Violence (past, brief mention); Gangs (past, brief mention); Pregnancy; Heroin (passively mentioned); Child death (past, mentioned, student’s sibling); Periods; Gay Marriage Laws; Cussing; Gentrification (briefly mentioned); Dietary content; Thin-idealisation; Lesbian slur (dyke); Eating disorder (Anorexia, BED); Needles
TWs - Breast Cancer; Infertility; Miscarriage; Suicide (mentioned, past, parental); Weight checking; Mammogram; Medical detail; Interracial Adoption; Death (past, neighbour/friend); Ovarian Cancer (past, parental); Chemo (past, parental); Alcohol; Gun Violence (past, brief mention); Gangs (past, brief mention); Pregnancy; Heroin (passively mentioned); Child death (past, mentioned, student’s sibling); Periods; Gay Marriage Laws; Cussing; Gentrification (briefly mentioned); Dietary content; Thin-idealisation; Lesbian slur (dyke); Eating disorder (Anorexia, BED); Needles
June 20, 2022
It’s clear that Klein has been through it all just by reading the title of her memoir, and sharing her story honestly with its ups and many, many downs will no doubt help anyone readings who’s been through at least one thing she has.
She does not shy away from the times she got it wrong, and shares her sincere thoughts that although are irrational, we all know we have them. It’s a frank story of fertility, grief, adoption and relationship problems that is really compelling to read. It really feels like you live through each moment with her; it’s so personal and raw it’s hard not to feel each moment as you read it.
I’m not at the point in my life yet where I can relate to any of her journey, but I know that when I am I will pick Crybaby up again and live through Klein’s journey alongside my own.
She does not shy away from the times she got it wrong, and shares her sincere thoughts that although are irrational, we all know we have them. It’s a frank story of fertility, grief, adoption and relationship problems that is really compelling to read. It really feels like you live through each moment with her; it’s so personal and raw it’s hard not to feel each moment as you read it.
I’m not at the point in my life yet where I can relate to any of her journey, but I know that when I am I will pick Crybaby up again and live through Klein’s journey alongside my own.
July 2, 2022
Crybaby was heartbreaking and inspiring. Cheryl Klein’s life has had a lot of difficulties and this memoir shows them. It has something that pretty much everyone could have gone through or has gone through in their life. There was so much that she wanted but things just kept getting in the way and life was hard, from infertility, being queer and eating disorders (along with other things), this has a lot of things that people can relate to and learn from.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 25, 2022
I really enjoyed this memoir, I was gripped right from the start and I was engaged all the way through. It was brutally honest and beautifull raw with a complete realness to it that was relatable on so many levels and I think that will be the case for many people.
A great read.
A great read.
June 1, 2022
Raw and really and provides important insights into living life as a queer woman, as a woman with cancer, as a woman who has had a miscarriage, etc.
January 8, 2023
It's rare to read a self-portrait so unvarnished and honest about her own flaws, fears, neuroses, insecurities, interpersonal challenges, moments of self-absorption, & moments of wicked delight. Cheryl Klein is whip smart and hilarious and puts it all on the page -- the good, the bad, and the ugly. She was able to make me laugh within a long string of unfortunate events and also to make me root for her despite her constantly self-admitted self-indulgence. If you have a constantly running inner critic, an inner voice that doesn't seem to have an Off button, or a strong compulsion to find the story in every situation, the voice in this book may feel familiar to you.
October 24, 2023
Cheryl E. Klein is a "failed perfectionist and successful hypochondriac" who had a hard time accepting that the world would not end when she was unable to have a baby. She writes with humor about things that would leave most people a sobbing puddle. But her self-deprecating, raw honesty is the beauty of the book. If all we saw were her tears, the book would be too impossibly maudlin to struggle through. As a reader, I felt like I understood what she went through as she navigated a series of disasters that brought her to consider the adventure of open adoption.
Read
April 18, 2023Oof, this was a lot tougher to get through than I expected. I knew it would be an emotional memoir, but it felt a bit like wading through muck. Can't give a negative review because it just wasn't my thing. I DNF.
April 23, 2023
VERY readable, but then Klein is an exceptional writer. I've her fiction. This memoir, however, covers a very personal journey and does it with sharp, reflective details.
September 22, 2022
Extremely thankful to NetGalley and Brown Paper Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Phew! This was hard to read! Not because of the writing, which was smooth and great, but because of its content. I think that if you are too sensitive about the topics that this touches you should definitely think about it twice. Please, do. And if you are truly interested in this type of memoir and/or picked up your attention, check trigger warnings.
In general terms, this was a really good book. It was visceral, raw and painful (especially if you have had similar experiences) with an amazing writing style. I give it 3 stars because I felt too overwhelmed while reading it and my experience as a reader affects my punctuation. However, if I want to be more objective, this deserves a 4. Defenitely keeping an eye on Cheryl E. Klein. Very talented.
Phew! This was hard to read! Not because of the writing, which was smooth and great, but because of its content. I think that if you are too sensitive about the topics that this touches you should definitely think about it twice. Please, do. And if you are truly interested in this type of memoir and/or picked up your attention, check trigger warnings.
In general terms, this was a really good book. It was visceral, raw and painful (especially if you have had similar experiences) with an amazing writing style. I give it 3 stars because I felt too overwhelmed while reading it and my experience as a reader affects my punctuation. However, if I want to be more objective, this deserves a 4. Defenitely keeping an eye on Cheryl E. Klein. Very talented.
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