How to Survive Death and Other Inconveniences
by Sue William Silverman
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Pub Date Mar 01 2020 | Archive Date Mar 31 2020
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Description
2020 Gold Winner for Autobiography & Memoir in the Foreword INDIES
Many are haunted and obsessed by their own eventual deaths, but perhaps no one as much as Sue William Silverman. This thematically linked collection of essays charts Silverman’s attempt to confront her fears of that ultimate unknown. Her dread was fomented in part by a sexual assault, hidden for years, that led to an awareness that death and sex are in some ways inextricable, an everyday reality many women know too well.
Through gallows humor, vivid realism, and fantastical speculation, How to Survive Death and Other Inconveniences explores this fear of death and the author’s desire to survive it. From cruising New Jersey’s industry-blighted landscape in a gold Plymouth to visiting the emergency room for maladies both real and imagined to suffering the stifling strictness of an intractable piano teacher, Silverman guards her memories for the same reason she resurrects archaic words—to use as talismans to ward off the inevitable. Ultimately, Silverman knows there is no way to survive death physically. Still, through language, commemoration, and metaphor, she searches for a sliver of transcendent immortality.
Advance Praise
“A joyously unconventional memoir written at least in part as a hedge against mortality. It will shake loose memories, invite you to ponder, and, maybe best of all, make you laugh. This is a marvelously written, imaginative, and seriously funny book.”—Abigail Thomas, New York Times best-selling author of What Comes Next and How to Like It
“With true originality and wit, Silverman takes readers on a wild ride through time, memory, pleasure, and trauma. What remains is a deeply human portrait of one woman’s resilience and the power of her spirit. I couldn’t put it down.”—Christina Haag, New York Times best-selling author of Come to the Edge: A Love Story
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781496214096 |
| PRICE | $19.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 200 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Mandy H, Reviewer
I connected with this book on so many levels. I am a huge hypochondriac and always think something is wrong with me and get frustrated when no one else believes me and or will listen to me. I feel alone, frustrated and unsupported. I connected with the author so much in this aspect. This book flowed to me like a book of short stories and the flow of relationships and the support or lack of support of things we can go through in life. Highly suggest.
Abby S, Reviewer
The author has lived through so much trauma sexual attack horrific situations.All of these experiences sound shocking depressing but somehow in this group of raw intimate essays she still can make us laugh out loud.#netgalley#nebraska press
Kade G, Reviewer
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
Like a few others have said, I wasn't expecting this book to be funny.... I mean it's about death. But she's definitely witty.
This book is partially a memoir about the author's intense traumas / life & death experiences... and also a variety of essays about death / fears / etc.
It was an interesting read, and I enjoyed it.
Kate W, Reviewer
A beautifully written collection of autobiographical essays. Her style is wonderfully descriptive and sensual. I really enjoyed this.
Catherine R, Media/Journalist
A collection of essays detailing the author's past experiences and traumas that have led her to the point of being incredibly fearful of death. Sharp, clever and a good read, the book will make you marvel at the resilience of the human spirit and make you think about your own inevitable demise!
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