Widowish

A Memoir

By: Melissa Gould

Narrated by: Rachel Botchan

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Melissa Gould’s hopeful memoir of grieving outside the box and the surprising nature of love.

When Melissa Gould’s husband, Joel, was unexpectedly hospitalized, she could not imagine how her life was about to change. Overwhelmed with uncertainty as Joel’s condition tragically worsened, she offered him the only thing she could: her love and devotion. Her dedication didn’t end with his death.

Left to resume life without her beloved husband and raise their young daughter on her own, Melissa soon realized that her and Joel’s love lived on. Melissa found she didn’t fit the typical mold of widowhood or meet the expectations of mourning. She didn’t look like a widow or act like a widow, but she felt like one. Melissa was widowish.

Melissa’s personal journey through grief and beyond includes unlikely inspiration from an evangelical preacher, the calming presence of some Real Housewives, and the unexpected attention of a charming musician.

A modern take on loss, Widowish illuminates the twists of fate that break our world, the determination that keeps us moving forward, and the surprises in life we never see coming.

©2021 Melissa Gould (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

She had me until The Other Joel

Very compelling memoir, artfully narrated. Unfortunately, when she started singing the praises of a con man like Joel Osteen, she lost me big time.

A little too "SELF-INDULGENT-ISH" for me...

I think this book would be better read or listened to if the author had read it herself - it might have made her story more relatable. The choice for the narrator to stand in and "perform" this tragic story of being left a widow when her lovable and athletic husband suffers from MS – and then tragically contracts the West Nile Virus from a mosquito bite - leaving her with the daunting task of raising a teenager alone did a disservice to the material - as Rachel Botchan's voice, manner of delivery, and everything else the way she told the story felt annoying, arrogant, snobby, entitled, privileged, and over the top.

Of course, she was reading the author's words who came from a life of some privilege and Hollywood - but it was hard for me to really care. I lost my husband at an early age from a tragic and unfortunate circumstance so I understand the randomness of a loss - and that something horrible can happen unfairly to someone who was a great guy. Yes, it is tragic to lose the love of your life - but not everyone's story is that compelling or needs to be a book.

I understand that the act of writing it down is cathartic and healing and that working through your grief by putting pen to paper is a great avenue for release - but the way this audible book is presented, I was surprised it was produced in this way. She is not the only one who has a tragic story - so pick your memoirs well. If you like these types of memoirs, I'd suggest listening to Nora McInery's Ted Talk on Loss and Grieving - or listen to her amazing podcast, "Terrible, Thanks for Asking" - or her books, No Happy Endings (really good) or, It's Okay to Laugh (It's Okay to Cry Too). Nora was a much younger widow at 32 who was left with a 2-year old son to raise on her own. She lost her father, had a miscarriage of her 2nd child, and lost the love of her life to brain cancer when he was 35 - all in the space of 6 weeks. She started a "Young, Hot Widow's Club" as she started dating immediately. She felt guilt and shame that it might be too soon to date and certainly filled the profile of feeling "Widow-ish" – as she had to contend with what people might think - as she got pregnant and then married the man she was dating. But Nora's books are funny, very honest and you are not left feeling judgy. She continues to celebrate her first husband's life and death in a very public way. You root for her instead because she feels real - which is different from a story with a dramatic Hollywood ending.

Well done touching story of widowhood

Great story, serious reality. The book had me tearing up a lot. The details of her husband’s death was so sad, but necessary to understand what she went through. As a widower, it really touches home for me. There are so many people who lose their spouses at a young age. I love her courage in producing this wonderful book.

This was an emotionally reassuring read!

Being a young widow myself in my 30’s with children, I really identified with all of the emotions and self doubt as the author! I had started this book and when it became very real emotionally, I did have to take a break from this book, but I did come back to it a few months later and felt so glad that I did! It was awesome to hear someone verbalize some of the same feelings, thoughts, and fears that I have had to and still deal with being in a very similar situation! 🥰🥰

Liked the story

But I really didn’t like the reader. If it was a different reader I’m sure it would have made a big difference.

I Can Relate!

I too am a widow, now in my fifth month without my husband. I am well beyond my forties but I can relate to the emotions of the writer. I shall never forget my husband, and the strange thing is that I love him more each day! Hold to memories, I say, but at the same time not to be engulfed in them in a way that will interfere with progression. I know my husband would not want me to be a lifelong mourner any more than I would have wanted it for him. Time has been my best friend, and I believe that each day is getting better and better. Yes, I talk to him from time to time, I cry sometimes, but I still feel his presence. Each morning I touch his pillow and say "Good morning!" to him. People have memories of him as a super kind person to everyone he met. That helps to hear it, and it brings tears to my eyes, especially when I look into theirs and know it is a sentiment from their hearts.

I LIKED THIS!!

I enjoyed listening to this story of a young(ish) woman with her teenage daughter who suddenly and tragically loses her beloved husband. A well written very sad, but also sometimes humorous, account of the initial loss and then all her struggles and difficulties as she grapples with how to navigate her life afterwards. Good book!! Enjoyed it much more than I thought I would….☺️

Grief and living on as a 40 yr old

A widow's caring story of living with spouse's illness and young death. qol, grieving.

A must-read for young widows

The memoir is a well documented journey of an early 40-year old woman with a 13-year old daughter.

A Memoir that reads like fiction.

I was hesitant to read this due to the title and what my expectations were for the books subject matter, I was wrong. This was a lovely piece of literary that reads like a fiction story. I loved the pace of the book and the timeline, I wanted to know what was going to happen next. It wasn’t bogged down in medical jargon or a long drawn out goodbye. The love for the author and her husband read like a modern day love story; not to schmaltzy with the right amount of profound love and partnership. I would love to know how the story continues with Melissa and Marcos, the relationship with her daughter, Sophie and her dealing with the loss of her Dad as she matures. It was a real understanding of the grief someone deals with after someone they love dies. Would make a great movie.