See my preliminary review of The Bright Hour by Nina Riggs.
I have finished the book and felt compelled to share some parting thoughts.
I absolutely loved the book but emotionally I wasn’t prepared for how I’d be affected. I had two comments on my original review suggesting I was brave to read and/or they could not read. I felt like I had been through the wringer and I could withstand anything even a memoir on living while dying. Especially since I was not the one who personally experienced those days in real life.
At first I was enraptured and sure I could power through. There were times I even chuckled. As the chapters went on, some quick snippets into a day in the life and other chapters a bit longer, I realized I might be in over my head. As the illness progressed, I felt more sadness. I knew the inevitable and I wanted despartely to be surprised by a miracle. Alas, that was not to be and now, having reached the end, I am exhausted and emotionally charged.
I almost said emotionally damaged but I stopped short. You see, no damage was done. Life lessons are abound in the extraordinary/mundane. Lately my life is surronded in oxymorons. Hot/cold. Left/right. Strong/Weak. Good/Bad. Happy/Sad.
I am left with my emotions that are heightened in a way I never thought possible. There is so much beauty in pain and sadness. Not in a mean-spirited sort of way. Nothing beautiful about watching someone suffer. Beautiful is the resilience humans display in dealing with … well in dealing with LIFE. Despite ending in death, this memoir was about living LIFE well.
The plot is self-explanatory so I have nothing more to offer. I have decided to post another line or two from Nina Riggs as motivation for your mornings. I still recommend that you read this book. Far more is gained than lost. I rate it 5 of 5 stars.
J-Dub's Grin and Bear It 