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I Hope You Have a Good Life: A True Story of Love, Loss and Redemption
The remarkable story of two extraordinary women who had to live a whole lifetime of caring in a few short weeks.
When Campbell Armstrong and his first wife became lovers, she shared her most intimate secret with him—as a teenager she had given up her first child for adoption. Years later, at the side of his ex-wife, Armstrong witnessed a mother and daughter unite in the most overwhelming circumstances.
With compassion and empathy, Armstrong presents the triumphant reunion of his estranged family with a delicate grace that captivates the joy and despair, sadness and laughter they felt when joined. He paints a beautiful and unforgettable portrait of a mother and daughter brought together out of desperation, but whose lives ultimately provide an uplifting, redemptive story.
I Hope You Have a Good Life is an inspirational memoir, a testament to the human spirit and to the ability of families to reunite when it matters most.
When Campbell Armstrong and his first wife became lovers, she shared her most intimate secret with him—as a teenager she had given up her first child for adoption. Years later, at the side of his ex-wife, Armstrong witnessed a mother and daughter unite in the most overwhelming circumstances.
With compassion and empathy, Armstrong presents the triumphant reunion of his estranged family with a delicate grace that captivates the joy and despair, sadness and laughter they felt when joined. He paints a beautiful and unforgettable portrait of a mother and daughter brought together out of desperation, but whose lives ultimately provide an uplifting, redemptive story.
I Hope You Have a Good Life is an inspirational memoir, a testament to the human spirit and to the ability of families to reunite when it matters most.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
2 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Campbell Armstrong
42 books20 followersaka Thomas Altman, Campbell Black, Jeffrey Campbell (with Jeffrey Caine), Thomas Weldon
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Campbell Armstrong got a degree in philosophy before taking a position teaching creating writing. After his excellent series about counterterrorism expert Frank Pagan, Mr. Armstrong has written several compelling novels of crime and life in his native Glasgow.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Campbell Armstrong got a degree in philosophy before taking a position teaching creating writing. After his excellent series about counterterrorism expert Frank Pagan, Mr. Armstrong has written several compelling novels of crime and life in his native Glasgow.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 12, 2020
I had no idea what to expect when I picked up this book out of our library. I just grabbed it because I didn't know what to read next. Now that I am done - wow what a depressing book. The entire book is about loss and cancer and the specter of death. I have to say that the author's writing style was excellent, but the topic of the book was just too sad. It is my own fault for not paying attention when I chose this book, but I can't ever picture a time when I would want to read something so dark. I could not recommend this to anyone.
December 16, 2011
Written by a Scottish author, this book was a richly-written memoir of the author's first wife Eileen, with whom he stays connected after their divorce. The book is often heart-breaking as it tells the story of the baby Eileen gave up at an early age, Eileen’s battle with cancer and how the two things end up coming together in an amazing way.
June 24, 2011
One of the better memoirs I've read. A young girl gives up her baby for adoption, and forty years later, mother and daughter are reunited again as the two are dying of cancer. Absolutely uplifting and inspiring.
September 10, 2008
Found this book in the bargin bin at Barnes and Noble. It's a memoir and so far (about half way done) so good! It is a relatively short book and I am breezing through it.
August 27, 2010
Sad, but beautiful. I wish the author had talked less about himself and more about the two women this story is really about.
July 19, 2017
The devastating story of Campbell Armstrong's first wife and her reunion with the daughter that she had given up for adoption forty years before. Armstrong's effortless prose delivers a powerful story of grief, loss and the bond that links a mother and child. Throughout the story we also learn of Armstrong's battle with his own demons including his alcoholism, infidelity and failings as a parent. This book would be an incredible novel but given that it is an account of actual events it is an earth shattering portrayal of love, life and death in the real world. Read it and weep.
January 31, 2023
I loved this one. I resonated. I have a sibling I came to learn about when I was 18 and met her for the first time when I was 22 years old. I've also had to take care of my mom when she had cancer, fortunately she survived and is here seven years later.
August 27, 2023
Very interesting book a very emotional story full of circumstances that is excellent that is moving especially when family secrets and odds come together as a mother and daughter face illness in this autobiography
December 29, 2024
This reunion story is a window on a world many people hesitate to open. For those who have walked the walk of "giving up" a child and living with the grief and loss, this may bring comfort or at least a sense of community.
March 13, 2022
A great story but so heartbreaking! Bring tissues!
December 5, 2022
I was hooked from the start . A beautifully written. Book about the decline to death.
July 30, 2014
Very moving and memorable.
I read about this book many years ago in a review or article about the author in the Mail On Sunday when this book was newly released. This resulted in me buying the book and, years later, it is still a book which has had lasting impact on me. Campbell used to be married to Eileen and, after their divorce, they stay friendly. Eileen contacts Campbell to let him know that she has cancer and it is terminal. At the same time, a woman named Barbara is trying to trace her birth mother, she has also been diagnosed with cancer. Barbara is Eileen's child who she reluctantly had to give up for adoption when she was only seventeen. This is such a sad tale, it really tugs at your heartstrings, yet how wonderful these two people found each other before the cancer ended everything. Campbell Armstrong tells their story in a very sensitive and moving way. A wonderful, wonderful book. This book is the same book as 'All That Really Matters'-it was available in UK under that title and in America it's titled 'I Hope You Have A good Life.'
I read about this book many years ago in a review or article about the author in the Mail On Sunday when this book was newly released. This resulted in me buying the book and, years later, it is still a book which has had lasting impact on me. Campbell used to be married to Eileen and, after their divorce, they stay friendly. Eileen contacts Campbell to let him know that she has cancer and it is terminal. At the same time, a woman named Barbara is trying to trace her birth mother, she has also been diagnosed with cancer. Barbara is Eileen's child who she reluctantly had to give up for adoption when she was only seventeen. This is such a sad tale, it really tugs at your heartstrings, yet how wonderful these two people found each other before the cancer ended everything. Campbell Armstrong tells their story in a very sensitive and moving way. A wonderful, wonderful book. This book is the same book as 'All That Really Matters'-it was available in UK under that title and in America it's titled 'I Hope You Have A good Life.'
December 31, 2013
Very moving and memorable.
I read about this book many years ago in a review or article about the author in the Mail On Sunday when this book was newly released. This resulted in me buying the book and, years later, it is still a book which has had lasting impact on me. Campbell used to be married to Eileen and, after their divorce, they stay friendly. Eileen contacts Campbell to let him know that she has cancer and it is terminal. At the same time, a woman named Barbara is trying to trace her birth mother, she has also been diagnosed with cancer. Barbara is Eileen's child who she reluctantly had to give up for adoption when she was only seventeen. This is such a sad tale, it really tugs at your heartstrings, yet how wonderful these two people found each other before the cancer ended everything. Campbell Armstrong tells their story in a very sensitive and moving way. A wonderful, wonderful book.
I read about this book many years ago in a review or article about the author in the Mail On Sunday when this book was newly released. This resulted in me buying the book and, years later, it is still a book which has had lasting impact on me. Campbell used to be married to Eileen and, after their divorce, they stay friendly. Eileen contacts Campbell to let him know that she has cancer and it is terminal. At the same time, a woman named Barbara is trying to trace her birth mother, she has also been diagnosed with cancer. Barbara is Eileen's child who she reluctantly had to give up for adoption when she was only seventeen. This is such a sad tale, it really tugs at your heartstrings, yet how wonderful these two people found each other before the cancer ended everything. Campbell Armstrong tells their story in a very sensitive and moving way. A wonderful, wonderful book.
September 15, 2016
This book had a profound impact on me, as I could relate to Eileen & Barbara sort of in a reverse way. I always wondered if my daughter would have had a better life had I been less selfish and given her up for adoption. Then when she became sick as an adult I felt responsible for that as well, as if all would have been rosy if I had made the other choice. To read about the intense longing that both of these women felt for each other throughout the years they were lost to one another made me realize that neither choice is necessarily ideal. The author wrote this story so beautifully I was weeping near the end. Eileen's decline, and the reactions of her loved ones, resurrected painful memories of my daughter's decline. But it also reminded me that I was there for her and that a healing took place in both our hearts during that time. Excellent book!
May 28, 2008
About family: with the theme of adoption and reunification. It was a good story, and I enjoyed learning about the author and his relationship with Eileen. But the biggest drawback was the author's attempt to be "profound." I quickly grew tired of the flowery language saturated in every paragraph.
November 3, 2007
Ex-husband (Scot) writes story of former wife-her cancer-her daughter's reunion--adoption/cancer/wonderful new family/mother/daughter reconciliation---really touched me--but somehow I resented the ex writing the story.
November 24, 2007
I really enjoyed this book. I was brought to many different emotions during the read of this book. You really get connected with the family and wonder what they are up to and how they cope.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews