Official Review: Dying Well by Susan Ducharme Hoben

[Supergirl1]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dying Well" by Susan Ducharme Hoben.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Susan Ducharme Hoben shares a most heart-tugging experience in her memoir Dying Well: Our Journey of Love and Loss. I couldn’t help but feel a myriad of emotions, from joy, to pain, hope, sadness, despair, even grief. Then at the end of the book came this peaceful calm realization that the choices that were made were the best that could have been made in those circumstances. With this realization came a great admiration for the courage shown.

After surviving cancer and a tumor in her heart that could well have been the end of her, Susan throws a party she calls a ‘Celebration of Life’ party. No one could have guessed that something darker was about to rock their world. Bruce, her husband, gets diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The doctors recommend a very aggressive course of treatment, and after he takes it, all seems well again. But the cancer isn’t done yet, in fact, it had metastasized. What to do? Where do they go from here?

This book made me remember a quote by Mallory Hopkins: “Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.” Susan and Bruce’s choices personified these words. Under the dark, heavy clouds of Bruce’s impending demise, they went on a search of the silver linings. It’s one of the few times I have read a book about death that radiates so much positivity.

Susan’s story-telling skills are top notch. Her words are easy to understand. She arranges the entire story in chronological order, with flashbacks that are impossible to miss. Susan doesn’t tell her readers what happened; she shows us. Also, this memoir feels like a novel, but you never forget it’s a true story.

Are you feeling sad, depressed, angry, or any of the myriad emotions that comes with having to deal with the passing of a loved one? I strongly encourage you to pick up this book. Susan has been there. She can empathize. And she does. Reading this book brought me happy memories of some dear friends of mine who are no longer here. How then, can I possibly dislike anything about it?

What’s more, this book is flawlessly edited. Not a single hair out of place. Dying Well: Our Journey of Love and Loss by Susan Ducharme Hoben has earned 4 out of 4 stars with its vivid, relatable descriptions; raw, candid emotions; and shining beams of hope.

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Dying Well
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[Ivana Tomaš]

It seems like a very emotional and touching story. Thank you for a very good review!

[Brenda Creech]

Wonderful review! This sounds like a book for anyone who has battled cancer; lost loved ones to cancer, and needs to filter through their emotions. Sometimes a good cry is what we need! Sounds like there are a lot of different emotions to be processed through in this book!

[kdstrack]

Just reading about the health issues this couple faced is overwhelming! Your review is very moving and opens a window to the flavor of the book. This sounds inspiring. Thanks for recommending this book!

[Ellylion]

Sounds like a heart-wrenching and honest read. Definitely worth checking out for those coping with a loss! Thank you for an excellent review!

[evraealtana]

This sounds like an incredibly moving story. I don't usually read the touchy-feely ones, but I think this one might be worth a second look. Thank you for your review.

[Stephanie Elizabeth]

Sounds like a powerful story of courage and hope. I share the author's sentiment about living every day like it is your last. Thanks for the lovely review!

[Andy37]

Thank you for the review, I love when the author can emotionally connect with the reader especially when the reader has gone through something as painful as losing a loved one to cancer. I am looking forward to reading this book.

[Brendan Donaghy]

Sounds like a powerful and uplifting story. Your review of it is excellent. Thanks for bringing to our attention a quote I hadn't heard before and which I think is special - life is short, smile while you still have teeth!

[kandscreeley]

Wow! This book sounds quite powerful and well-written. I know, though, that it would be way too emotional for me at the moment. If I'm ever in the mood for a heart-wrenching sob story, I'll pick this one up. Thanks for the information about it.

[Sonya Nicolaidis]

I really appreciate stories like this that emphasize hope amidst despair, and give people good reasons to keep on fighting, regardless. I thank the reviewer for these comments, but also the author for having the courage to share this story with us.

[Wyland]

Its good when a book brings back good memories of loved ones, like it did to the reviewer. I also like the positivity that permetes throughout this book despite of the heavy subjects it broaches. Thanks for your review.

[Sangeetha+Narayan]

I have experienced it ...the anger and acceptance of death. I saw my dad die slowly for almost a year. A part of me wants to read this and theres the other part that says no. But it was a beautiful review.review

[CyndiA1]

I'm not sure I could handle a book about dying right now, but this does sound like a really good book. Your review was excellent.

[ObsessedBookNerd]

This is not the type of story that I would read. I am not a fan of memoirs. I also don't read books about disease/illness, cancer or death. I can't handle reading about experiences like in this book so I will pass on reading this story.