Notes on Grief; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Random House Audio - 2021
(1 hour and 27 minutes read by the author - very good)
When the author's father passed away in June of 2020 she and her family were shocked. Her father was 88 and the family had connected with him via Zoom the evening before his passing as they often did during COVID. He had reported that he was tired and feeling unwell. He had been diagnosed with kidney disease but, still his death came as a shock to his family. Are we ever prepared for the death of a loved one even when they have lived a long and meaningful life?
If the author teaches us one thing by reading her heartfelt, journal like celebration of her father's life is this: you can't tell or show a person how to grieve, it's personal and different for every individual.
A beautiful, reflective look at loss and grief written by his grieving daughter.
Rating - 4.5/5 stars
(Audio download provided by the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.)
Viral, Robin Cook
Penguin Audio - Scott Brick (narrator)
12 hours and 20 minutes
(library download)
The Murphy family: Brian, Emma and four year old daughter Juliet are taking a break from COVID and vacationing on Cape Cod when Emma comes down with severe flu like-symptoms. On their way home to New York City she has a seizure in the car and is rushed to the closest ER. From there she is moved to ICU and she is diagnosed with Eastern equine encephalitis. From this point things go from bad to worse (with Emma and the entire plot).
This was not the exciting medical thriller my husband and I were expecting as we listened to this for (4) days straight. We felt it was more about battling with insurance companies and hospital administrators about charges and claims and then wondering how you can ever pay what you owe and, then ultimately about how to get even with them. The story becomes quite repetitive and implausible at times but despite this we wanted to see how the story played out. We were curious about the epilogue as well which led to more eye-rolling and a few laughs as well. What started out as a pretty good story went down hill rather fast. Had it not been for Scott Brick's fabulous narration of multiple voices, we might have abandoned it.
Rating - storyline - 2/5 stars
Rating - Scott Brick's narration - 5/5 stars
NOTE: I'm guilty of convincing my husband to try this one. He thought it felt like payback for having me listen to the last Harold Robbins book a few weeks ago.
I think I'll take a pass on Viral! That sounds way too stressful! Notes on Grief sounds beautiful and heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, Viral started out really well and then became so unrealistic.
DeleteI recently read Americanah and didn't know that the author's father had died or that she'd written a book about it. I am sure it is well done and grief is an interesting topic.
ReplyDeleteIt's a really short book/listen - almost like a journaling experience and about her father's life as well - very good.
DeleteI bet many readers will find Notes on Grief relatable.
ReplyDeleteSo true Mary. It's so different for each person depending on their personality and their relationship with the deceased.
DeleteAfter just reading Zikora, I need to read Notes On Grief. Chimamanda is a powerful writer!
ReplyDeleteHi Freda, yes anything Adiche writes is powerful.
DeleteOne sounds good, the other not. 50/50 is okay.
ReplyDeleteBrian, Viral could have had potential but the direction it took didn't work.
DeleteChimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a brilliant writer. Thank you for sharing this book with us. I hadn't heard about it.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful and very short (just over an hour on audio) The author's voice makes it a great listen.
DeleteI don't think you're ever fully prepared for the loss of a loved one. Adichie's book sounds amazing, and so sad, too.
ReplyDeleteThis is the second time I've seen someone blog about Notes on Grief. Having lost my dad and stepdad (and more recently my favorite uncle) to cancer (all in their 80s), there is something about this book that calls to me. Thanks for the review, Diane.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why Les, but for some reason I thought you were the one that made me want to read this one. Now I'm wondering whose review I read?
DeleteI was trying to remember who mentioned it, as well. I just remembered that it was Robin (A Fondness for Reading).
DeleteI have Notes on Grief in this month's stack, but I'm not sure I'll get to it.
ReplyDeleteI do want to read Notes on Grief as I lost my dad 20 years ago and yet there are times I still am surprised he's gone. I love her writing but will just need to be in the right frame of mind for this one. And, as we're still in a pandemic I think I'll skip Viral! :)
ReplyDelete