Reading and writing biographies and memoirs have been in my wheelhouse since childhood. I have always adored reading real stories about real people, whether they're accomplishing amazing things or dealing with life's challenges. Connecting with stories of the human condition not only helps us cope with our own narrative, but they can help offer us perspective. When a wonderful poet like Maggie Smith writes a memoir, it's a sure deal that it will be compelling and poetic.
Smith still surprises. I read this memoir in one sitting. It was was a quick and powerful read reminding us that in life to we need to always expect the unexpected, because it will always arrive. Smith's life was chugging along as a writer, mother, and wife, when she unexpectedly learned that there was another woman in her husband's life. Everything that she knew to be normal began falling apart. Like many writers, writing became her savior and we are blessed and honored that she decided to share her story with us.
Throughout the book, Smith repeatedly writes, "A friend says every book begins with an unanswered question, then what is mine?" She supplies various answers during different stages of the aftermath of her separation from her husband. Smith penned many beautiful lines in this book, but this one particularly sums up something we can all relate to: "We are all nesting dolls, carrying the earlier iterations of ourselves inside. We carry the past inside us. We take ourselves—all of ourselves wherever we go" (p 22). She also talks about the process of writing a memoir as a ghost tour--we confront what is haunting us. Yes. So very true.
Thanks Maggie!
Highly recommended.