Nancy G. (ComfyReader) reviewed Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
As Elizabeth Edwards said herself in this book, she is not here to discuss the most recent escapades of Johns', she is here to discuss how she has gotten through each obstacle that has been placed in her path. But still I didn't get that out of this book. I didn't see how she actually pulled herself up.
I have never lost a child and I have no idea how a mother maneuvers through that, but this book shows me that it is a life long journey. Three quarters of this book is about the sudden and tragic loss of her son, how each and every decision thereafter included him in it. How one day she may deal differently with her cancer, her husbands infidelity, the media, the - fill in the next blank, but right here and right now she will always be incomplete because of one simple accident that took her son and changed her life forever.
Mrs. Edwards does touch on the other road blocks in her life, but nothing fully in depth, no juicy gossip, no preaching about how you should do it. Just a woman's story about how to put one foot in front of the other and taking a deep breath one day at a time.
What I liked about this book was it's lack of the typical "oh, poor me" that runs rampant in most memoirs, how she truly feels blessed with everything good in their lives. But what I did feel hit the "enough already" wall was the constant talk of her deceased son. As I said before, I've never lost a child, maybe it's normal to base every decision on what could have been, but at some point you have to move on.
I have never lost a child and I have no idea how a mother maneuvers through that, but this book shows me that it is a life long journey. Three quarters of this book is about the sudden and tragic loss of her son, how each and every decision thereafter included him in it. How one day she may deal differently with her cancer, her husbands infidelity, the media, the - fill in the next blank, but right here and right now she will always be incomplete because of one simple accident that took her son and changed her life forever.
Mrs. Edwards does touch on the other road blocks in her life, but nothing fully in depth, no juicy gossip, no preaching about how you should do it. Just a woman's story about how to put one foot in front of the other and taking a deep breath one day at a time.
What I liked about this book was it's lack of the typical "oh, poor me" that runs rampant in most memoirs, how she truly feels blessed with everything good in their lives. But what I did feel hit the "enough already" wall was the constant talk of her deceased son. As I said before, I've never lost a child, maybe it's normal to base every decision on what could have been, but at some point you have to move on.
Helpful Score: 2
First 2/3 of the book is beautifully written, especially the parts about how she dealt with the loss of her teenaged son. The last 1/3 is not so convincing, given the details that have since been published about both Elizabeth and John Edwards and the infamous Rielle Hunter scandal. But the book does offer a partial answer to the question, "Why does she stay with him?" (I realize they have recently separated.)
For anyone who has lost a child, this book is worth your time. Elizabeth has been there.
For anyone who has lost a child, this book is worth your time. Elizabeth has been there.
Madge C. (dmconn1) reviewed Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities on + 234 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
In her own words, Elizabeth Edwards touches on the tragedies of her life that she has had to deal with and move on from. I have a lot of respect for her as a woman, and a mother. No woman deserves to face the obstacles she has, but she has handled her adversities with grace. In my opinion, the book is not well written though. I found myself skimming through many paragraphs, and sometimes pages. I think she is an amazing woman who has so much to offer, but the story would have been better told by an experienced author.
Marci and Duane S. (flame60) reviewed Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities on + 200 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a very moving and painfully described book by Elizabeth Edwards. The death of her son is heart wrenching as is her husband's infidelity. I came away fromt the book , not reading it in its entirety as it was too difficult in places. I reccommend it because she is such a brave woman and this is a brave endeavor.
Lisa D. (LisaIngeorgia) reviewed Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities on
Helpful Score: 1
In some ways, this was a very tough book for me to read. I too had a son die and had to survive just like Elizabeth did. I too had a marriage dissolve after trusting and having the trust disappear. Like her, I too had to re-build my life over and discover who I was and who I am.
But I did not have to deal with the spotlight - with being picked apart for everything I said and did and expressed. I did not have to battle cancer, I only had to sit in painful solitude and watch as my mother slowly battled the disease, cancer, which eventually took her from me.
Elizabeth Edwards writes a haunting but poignant story about who she thought she was and the strong, independent and resilient women she really is. I could not put this one down. I am so glad I got know Elizabeth through her words that express her pain and her hope for a life well-lived.
But I did not have to deal with the spotlight - with being picked apart for everything I said and did and expressed. I did not have to battle cancer, I only had to sit in painful solitude and watch as my mother slowly battled the disease, cancer, which eventually took her from me.
Elizabeth Edwards writes a haunting but poignant story about who she thought she was and the strong, independent and resilient women she really is. I could not put this one down. I am so glad I got know Elizabeth through her words that express her pain and her hope for a life well-lived.
