I Am, I Am, I Am

Seventeen Brushes with Death

By: Maggie O'Farrell

Narrated by: Daisy Donovan

Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

An extraordinary memoir - told entirely in near-death experiences - from one of Britain's best-selling novelists, for fans of Wild, When Breath Becomes Air, and The Year of Magical Thinking.

We are never closer to life than when we brush up against the possibility of death.

I Am, I Am, I Am is Maggie O'Farrell's astonishing memoir of the near-death experiences that have punctuated and defined her life. The childhood illness that left her bedridden for a year, which she was not expected to survive. A teenage yearning to escape that nearly ended in disaster. An encounter with a disturbed man on a remote path. And, most terrifying of all, an ongoing, daily struggle to protect her daughter - for whom this book was written - from a condition that leaves her unimaginably vulnerable to life's myriad dangers.

Seventeen discrete encounters with Maggie at different ages, in different locations, reveal a whole life in a series of tense, visceral snapshots. In taut prose that vibrates with electricity and restrained emotion, O'Farrell captures the perils running just beneath the surface and illuminates the preciousness, beauty, and mysteries of life itself.

©2018 Maggie O'Farrell (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"How appropriate that this audiobook memoir, an unlikely examination of life through brushes with death, is narrated by the talented Daisy Donovan. Her tone of voice exudes a veneer of vulnerability overlaying a steely strength, and her delivery is ideal for this collection of interconnected remembrances.... Donovan's pacing and appealing accent make the vignettes come alive for the listener." (AudioFile)

So engrossing

The searing reality of a memoir written by a talented novelist. Written to show how each of these events happened and also how they felt and how they impacted her life later.

I want more!

I want more about her amazing life, determination and resilience. She is just amazing in my eyes.
And I could listen to the narrator talk forever.

Amazingly truthful and searingly real

Second of Maggie's books I've read. I love her writing and honesty. And I need to continue ie to gift myself with her exquisite works!

Not About Acceptably Defined NDE’s (Near Death Experiences)

This is more stories of inadequate healthcare in the UK and childhood diseases of the author and her children. I was hoping to hear more of those who actually left the body for a time. This is more of close encounters with death or dangerous and sickly living.

Be prepared,..

A compelling and emotional read/listen that will leave you drained. The strength of the author is beyond my comprehension.,,the narrator conveys this life story with passion…

Beautiful descriptions but no closure

The author is a master at illuminating a scene so the reader feels as though they are present in the room or place taking in the sights & sounds she is describing. She is no doubt a fabulous writer captivating her audience with her keen observations.

However the 17 different experiences are disjointed chronologically and there is no over all connection of one to the other. I missed the natural insight one might share after several near death experiences enriching one’s own personal wisdom or sharing of “gratitude” for lessons learned or appreciation for what wisdom came out of the various experiences. Definitely a good read, but if you’re hoping for some emotional depth rather than turmoil, you won’t find it here.

Excellent

The combination of Maggie O'Farrell's exquisite writing and Daisy Donovan's sensitive and intelligent performance is really stunning. They are a perfect fit. It took me a little while to get into the book, I think because of the structure, or maybe because of distractions in my own life, but once I did, I was completely invested.

Wrong kind of Adventures

The author survived a deadly disease in childhood, so she sets out to live at the moment - by jumping off a cliff like Twilight's main character Bella Swan, volunteering for a wheel of death, and other stupid things which she would write tens of hundreds of pages for, describing near-death experience which are irrelevant to most people with sanity and decent respect of their lives. I cannot see how that's what you would want to do after realizing you cannot waste your life.

Her writing style is very good but it's a shame how stupid most stories are.

Heartwarming, heart-wrenching and captivating.

Daisy Donovan does a splendid job of narrating this tragic yet inspiring story. I am moved by the strength and tenacity of Maggie O’Farrell and great full that she has chosen to share her struggles and triumphs with the world.

Loved it

Brilliant and captivating narrative. Narrator did an exceptional job bringing the story to life. I would highly recommend.