Review of Butterfly Awakens
Posted: 06 Jan 2022, 07:59
[Following is a volunteer review of "Butterfly Awakens" by Meg Nocero.]
Butterfly Awakens by Meg Nocero is the author’s memoir that details her grieving process following the death of her mother. Nocero loses her mother to breast cancer and subsequently falls into a seemingly irreversible depression. To add to her grief, Nocero’s work environment becomes increasingly toxic. As her stress builds up, she acquires a nervous disorder called tinnitus. In this inspiring memoir, the author tells her readers how she picked herself up and embarked on a journey of spiritual awakening. This book is for everyone that has lost a dear one and is struggling to cope with grief.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book. The author begins by describing how she was bullied as a kid. She alludes to the fact that she was considered ugly and a general misfit. Fast forward a couple of decades, and she loses her mother- the one person who was her support system and the centre of her spiritual gravity. With no one to turn to anymore in times of uncertainty, Nocero became anxious, depressed, and clinically stressed. The author has described her mother’s slow but sure progress towards death very poignantly. The helplessness one feels with having a terminal disease is detailed very soulfully.
I lost some interest during the middle section of the book. This is the part where the author describes her toxic work environment. As someone who is not much aware of the American legal system, it was difficult for me to understand the author’s hardships at work. But I did understand the sentiments of a person stuck in a wrong job with no exit in sight. The factors working women with families need to take into consideration while quitting their jobs are highly relatable. There was a time I had found myself in a similar situation. It was inspiring to read how Nocero made her choice and prepared to face the consequences.
The section where the author begins detailing her spiritual pilgrimage to El Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain is interesting. Readers who would like to undertake a similar spiritual journey would find a lot of value in this section.
In general, memoirs are very personal and so, difficult to review. There is nothing good or bad about someone’s personal journey. The only factors that can make a memoir stand out are relatability and narration. This book excels in both of these parameters, making it an enjoyable read. The book is also professionally edited. I did not come across any grammatical errors.
I gladly rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. While generally, memoirs are not my cup of tea, I enjoyed this one. I highly recommend it to all readers who want a powerful dose of inspiration to pull their lives together. Anyone who has lost a close relative, or a friend, and is struggling with grief, will find some incredible pointers on coping with their sorrow.
******
Butterfly Awakens
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Butterfly Awakens by Meg Nocero is the author’s memoir that details her grieving process following the death of her mother. Nocero loses her mother to breast cancer and subsequently falls into a seemingly irreversible depression. To add to her grief, Nocero’s work environment becomes increasingly toxic. As her stress builds up, she acquires a nervous disorder called tinnitus. In this inspiring memoir, the author tells her readers how she picked herself up and embarked on a journey of spiritual awakening. This book is for everyone that has lost a dear one and is struggling to cope with grief.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book. The author begins by describing how she was bullied as a kid. She alludes to the fact that she was considered ugly and a general misfit. Fast forward a couple of decades, and she loses her mother- the one person who was her support system and the centre of her spiritual gravity. With no one to turn to anymore in times of uncertainty, Nocero became anxious, depressed, and clinically stressed. The author has described her mother’s slow but sure progress towards death very poignantly. The helplessness one feels with having a terminal disease is detailed very soulfully.
I lost some interest during the middle section of the book. This is the part where the author describes her toxic work environment. As someone who is not much aware of the American legal system, it was difficult for me to understand the author’s hardships at work. But I did understand the sentiments of a person stuck in a wrong job with no exit in sight. The factors working women with families need to take into consideration while quitting their jobs are highly relatable. There was a time I had found myself in a similar situation. It was inspiring to read how Nocero made her choice and prepared to face the consequences.
The section where the author begins detailing her spiritual pilgrimage to El Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain is interesting. Readers who would like to undertake a similar spiritual journey would find a lot of value in this section.
In general, memoirs are very personal and so, difficult to review. There is nothing good or bad about someone’s personal journey. The only factors that can make a memoir stand out are relatability and narration. This book excels in both of these parameters, making it an enjoyable read. The book is also professionally edited. I did not come across any grammatical errors.
I gladly rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. While generally, memoirs are not my cup of tea, I enjoyed this one. I highly recommend it to all readers who want a powerful dose of inspiration to pull their lives together. Anyone who has lost a close relative, or a friend, and is struggling with grief, will find some incredible pointers on coping with their sorrow.
******
Butterfly Awakens
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon