Your Voice in My Head by Emma Forrest came at the perfect time, similar to my former experience with Eat, Pray, Love. I wanted to read it a few months back, but kept putting it off, not really sure why. Now I know. I've been debating seeing a therapist for a couple months (it's now on my 101 in 1001 list, so the debate is done). I don't feel utterly broken anymore, but at the same time I still don't think I've completely healed from the heart shattering I experienced at the hands of Mr. P. I'm not sure anyone walks away from that kind of betrayal ever completely whole again, but there's got to be something more to smooth over the cracks right? Something to help with the fear of putting myself in a position fall again, instead of just burying myself in everything but. Thanks to this book, I'm confident I will find a way to finally remove the band-aid, air out the wounds, and move on with my life. I just may not be able to do it on my own, and that's OK to admit.
Like Eat, Pray, Love I think this book will touch everyone in a different way. What I took out of it, may not be the same for you. While I can't relate to the extremes of Emma Forrest's emotions, her writing is simply amazing. Of course the celebrity aspect of the book (torrid affair with a certain hottie on many Freebie Five lists) definitely does not hurt, but there really is so much more. I'll probably need to read it a few more times to really grasp everything. For the first time, I'm actually using the highlight feature on my kindle so I can go back and reread specific quotes.
Here is the description from Amazon:
Emma Forrest, a British journalist, was just twenty-two and living the fast life in New York City when she realized that her quirks had gone beyond eccentricity. In a cycle of loneliness, damaging relationships, and destructive behavior, she found herself in the chair of a slim, balding, and effortlessly optimistic psychiatrist—a man whose wisdom and humanity would wrench her from the dangerous tide after she tried to end her life. She was on the brink of drowning, but she was still working, still exploring, still writing, and she had also fallen deeply in love. One day, when Emma called to make an appointment with her psychiatrist, she found no one there. He had died, shockingly, at the age of fifty-three, leaving behind a young family. Reeling from the premature death of a man who had become her anchor after she turned up on his doorstep, she was adrift. And when her all-consuming romantic relationship also fell apart, Emma was forced to cling to the page for survival and regain her footing on her own terms.
A modern-day fairy tale, Your Voice in My Head is a stunning memoir, clear-eyed and shot through with wit. In her unique voice, Emma Forrest explores the highs and lows of love and the heartbreak of loss.
I highly recommend this book. You should find it an easy read in that it's on the shorter side (at least compared to the books I've been trying to finish lately), but it's not a simple beach read. Your Voice in My Head is a true memoir, entirely honest in the emotions, leaving the sugarcoating for someone else.
"Time heals all wounds. And if it doesn't, you name them something other than wounds and agree to let them stay." -Emma Forrest
7 comments:
I heart book reviews. This one will go at the top of my list!
Pinned to my library now because it sounds amazing.
Wow, this book is soooo up my alley lately, too. I will definitely have to check it out; thanks for the recommendation.
I have to say, I was extremely reluctant about going to therapy though I decided to one day when anxiety and fear got the better of me. I feel so much better when I go and have learned to make peace with some things in my past relationships that I struggled with (and still worry sometimes that I'll carry with me). But it's "day at a time" kind of thing. That's all you can do.
Best of luck to you girl and I'm always here if you want to chat! XOXO
Wow! That book does sound great!
I am so sorry that you are still hurting. I hope that you will try some sort of counseling. I had a few sessions with my son's therapist and it is so amazing what a difference those few sessions made.
Just make sure to go at your own pace. And remember, you are an amazing person!
I love it when a book really means something and makes an impact on your life. Glad this helped you make the decision to see a therapist. You're review has me interested, I'll have to check this book out.
Thanks for the rec. I added it to my to-read list.... I need memoirs for my nonfiction class. It sounds really interesting!
A little....I mean a lot behind on my blog reading. But as a 35 year old whose been healing for 4 years and slowly at that. I too am learning to pull the bandaid off. Unfortunely for me I did it while I was out of town on business...just gotta learn to do it at home. Good luck Hutch. You are not alone. And I've been in therapy for two years over my broken heart....and other life stuff.
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