The Urgent Life

My Story of Love, Loss, and Survival

By: Bozoma Saint John

Narrated by: Bozoma Saint John

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

"The Urgent Life shines a bright light on the intricacies of the shadows she’s been in, and illuminates the beauty of her urgent life.”—Serena Williams

From iconic leader Bozoma Saint John, comes a memoir of grief, and one woman's drive to thrive in the face of loss

When Bozoma Saint John's husband, Peter, died of cancer, she made one big decision: to live life urgently. Bozoma was no stranger to adversity, having lost her college boyfriend to suicide, navigated an interracial marriage, grieved a child born prematurely—a process that led to her and Peter's separation—and coparented the daughter who she and Peter shared. When Peter knew his cancer was terminal, he gave Bozoma a short list of things to do: cancel the divorce, and fix the wrongs immediately.

In The Urgent Life, Bozoma takes listeners through the dizzying, numbing days of multiple griefs, and the courage which these sparked in her to live life in accordance with her deepest values time and time again. We witness Bozoma's journey forward through the highs and the lows, as she negotiates life as a woman determined to learn from tragedies to build a remarkable life worth living even in her brokenness.

Bozoma's story is extraordinary, but her grief is not uncommon, and her courage is sure to touch any listener who has loved, mourned and is finding a path through loss and grief, as well as anyone who is maneuvering a pivot and wants to live life to its fullest.

©2023 Bozoma Saint John (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of Oprah Daily's Most Anticipated Books of 2023

“The highlight reel of life can be misleading. It’s only when you look beyond the happy moments to look deeply into the times of darkness to see the real truth of a life. Bozoma Saint John’s The Urgent Life shines a bright light on the intricacies of the shadows she’s been in, and illuminates the beauty of her urgent life.” —Serena Williams

“The intensity of The Urgent Life Is contagious. No matter how different our own lives may be, we’re likely to leave these pages with a new sense of intimacy as well as urgency.” —Gloria Steinem

"In the past few years, I’ve had a front row seat to the inspiring way Bozoma Saint John has lived her life urgently; but in reading the story of her losses, I’ve truly come to marvel at her ferocious fortitude. Boz has not just survived, she has thrived. And all of us can learn lessons in The Urgent Life for how to do the same."—Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive Global

Transformative

Extraordinary through my tears, acceptance, and peace. I appreciate you sharing your life journey and magnificent way of expressing the trials, triumphs, and battles African girls, teens, and women face throughout our truths. It is a bestseller!!!!!

Really loved this book

Highly recommend this moving memoir. Heard Boz on Glennon in June and have been immersed in her since. Really appreciated this book.

Beautiful

Beautiful story of love and loss. I hope she writes another memoir about her professional journey as well because she’s had an incredible career that was very background to this personal story.

Honest and impactful book

The author was vulnerable and honest about her life and took accountability for things she took a part in. Showed she was human and most of all growth. I found parallels within my own life. Loved it!

Life Changing!

This novel truly changed my perspective on living in the moment! Taking each of life’s opportunities to love and making memories with the people who matter most! Also, to take the chance on new adventures! You never know the outcome!

The perfect read to end the year

Bozoma did an amazing job narrating her own book. She is an amazing story teller. She told her story in a way that made the listener feel connected to her story. I admire her willingness to be vulnerable and share her truth. I admire how she even shared her fears and her regrets. I feel so connected to the author because I too share some of her same fears and I too have experienced losing someone I deeply loved. Great read!

Loved this book!

Heard her on Glennon’s podcast. I took the recommendation and am glad I did. It’s a good read!!!

Worth every minute

This book literally made me laugh and cry and deep end my understanding of my own life, and the precious lives lived by those close to me. I can’t recommend it enough. As it came to a close, I had feelings akin to watching my sister or a best friend board an airplane to travel a long distance, home after a visit. I am so grateful for this work of art. I will never be the same.

Urgently Beautiful & Masterful

I have laughed, cried and deeply pondered in life and love. This book has awaken me from my autopilot life of existing and has caused me to question myself and ask what are you living urgently for. Thank you Bozoma 💕

Beautiful, Heartbreaking, Hopeful

I’m not sure I could quite explain in words how wonderful this book is. For starters I love her voice. Something about it allowed me to continue to keep listen through the most heartbreaking parts of her story. I once wrote “I’m not sure why life is tougher for some than others.” What I can say, is Bozoma is an incredibly strong woman. What a gift for her to have shared her life, loss and success with us all.