Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art

[gunug]

Is this book one of the greatest books ever written or is it "the greatest book ever written?"  I'd shrug my shoulders but don't tell my physical therapist that I did that!  I am probably a little bit prejudiced about this book because my wife is a cancer survivor unlike Gilda Radner, Wilder's wife.  I can still feel the book dragging full strength on my heart not merely tugging on the strings a little bit.  Because of the clarity that I've been allocated these days I'm sure that it is the greatest book that I've ever read.  A one paragraph summary of the book would be for me:

QUOTE

I didn't know that Gilda was going to leave her beautiful 1734 home to me.  It sounds stupid, but we never talked about such
things.  I also never believed that she was going to die of cancer--not until three weeks before she did die.  I was a fool, and I'm
grateful for that.  My sublime ignorance gave her hope for a long while, and I know now that hope is the thing that keeps us going--
allows us to laugh even in the worst of times. - Chapter 28, page 223

Who am I to make the declaration about this book?  Who are you to disagree?  If you want to say something about the book please
tack it onto the end of this topic.  I'm betting that those who have had cancer in their life will agree with me and that would only leave
those who don't have cancer in their life and as I'm not one of you then I really don't know how you will feel about it.  Let me know!

[kimmer]

Didn't know anything about this book until you posted this thread, gunug. Doubt I'll read it as hits too close to home for me right now; but if you found it encouraging, inspirational, uplifting, then I'm happy for you.

[gunug]

The man's cheeriness after all he has gone through is inspiring but I feel a lot of us have gone through worse and have kept on going.  My Thoughts and Prayer are with you (unless that makes you mad to hear that); maybe being a little mad could help?

[kimmer]

QUOTE(gunug @ Jun 16 2010, 09:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The man's cheeriness after all he has gone through is inspiring but I feel a lot of us have gone through worse and have kept on going.

As far as the book, it obviously inspired you, and that makes it good in my book. We don't know who all he might reach - perhaps folks who don't have it "inside" to keep going, so I say good on him for sharing and reaching out to others.

QUOTE

My Thoughts and Prayer are with you (unless that makes you mad to hear that); maybe being a little mad could help?

Thanks, gunug. Never makes me mad to know that someone cares enough to pray for me.  I try not to get mad unless I absolutely must -- all that negative energy isn't good. Besides, what's the point of being mad over something out of my control? I feel greatly blessed that my cancer was caught early and dealt with promptly. I just had my first 3-month check up and received an "all clear see you in 3 months" from my doc, so I'm feeling even more blessed.

I should have said this earlier, but hearing the news of your wife cheers my heart. I hope you are also doing well after all you've been through; and yes -- I prayed for you and continue to do so.

[gunug]

My darling wife made it out the other side of breast cancer and they only thing extra that is troubling her is the lymphedema she's now experiencing in her left arm.  The physical therapist is rewrapping her arm every weekday morning and she is looking a little like an extra in a mummy movie.  I get to learn how to do that mummy rap tomorrow afternoon so I can help her when we go to Minneopolis and Lacross next weekend (see my stepdad and an aunt and uncle).  

[kimmer]

Enjoy the visit ... and don't over wrap your sweet wife.

[gunug]

I bet you didn't know that they wore all kinds of pith helmets in Minneopolis and LaCross?  This area is the pith helmet center of the nation!  In fact, when that mummy started chasing him that guy got the pith scared out of him!