16.8.10

Book Review: The C-Word by Lisa Lynch

The last thing Lisa Lynch expected to put on her things to do before you're 30 list was beating breast cancer, but thems the breaks. So with her life on hold, and her mind close to capacity with unspoken fears, questions and emotions, she turned to her Mac and started blogging about the frustrating, life altering, sheer-pain-in-the-arse inconvenience of getting breast cancer at the age of 28.
The C-Word is an unflinchingly honest and darkly humorous account of Lisa's battle with The Bullshit as she came to call it. From the good days when she could almost pretend it wasn't happening, to the bad days when she couldn't bear to wake up. Lisa's story is emotional, heartbreaking and often hilarious. The C-Word will make you laugh and cry and ultimately reaffirm your faith in life. 
My sister lent me this book after telling me how brilliant she thought it was, she wasn't wrong! Lisa Lynch wrote much of the book as a blog when she discovered that she had breast cancer at the age of 28. She is frank throughout the book, she really does tell it as it is which can make difficult but important reading. I say important because I think that  most people come into contact with cancer in some way during their lives. I have had friends whose mums have had breast cancer but you don't always feel right in asking too many questions about it but I think that Lisa Lynch addresses most things that I have ever wondered about.
As the synopsis says, reading The C-Word reaffirms your faith in life. Lisa Lynch is not looking for pity or pats on the back, she is just telling people about her experience. Her young married life was turned upside down and her and her husband's future were changed forever. Being nearly the same age and only a year into marriage it definitely made me question how I would handle such a situation. Realistically I have no idea but I would hope I would have just a tiny shred of the courage, honesty and humour that Lisa Lynch expresses in this brilliantly open book.

10 comments:

verity said...

Gosh this sounds pretty hard hitting.

Dot said...

Verity- It was pretty hard hitting but it was so well written and honest, I thought it was excellent.

Nicole (Linus's Blanket) said...

This sounds great Dot. This is one the ways that reading other people's stories is so beneficial. We get some insight into what can be awkward conversations with friends and family.

Dot said...

Nicole- It is a really good book, it addressed so many different aspects of breast cancer.

Simon (Savidge Reads) said...

These books always divide me, as someone who has had dalliances with cancer through friends family and myself its one I am never sure how I feel about.

This does sound like its one of the books that falls into the positive and upfront books and like its written well.

Dot said...

Simon- I am the same really, I only read this as my sister had said how well written it was. I just loved how honest the author was about her experience.

B said...

This sounds like a great book. I'll keep my eye out for it. Thanks, Dot.

Dot said...

Brenna- Thank you, it's a very good book, well worth the read!

Bloomsbury Bell said...

this sounds like a fascinating read and great for putting things into perspective. thanks for sharing!

Dot said...

Bloomsbury Bell- You're welcome, I don't read books like this very often but I'm so glad that my sister recommended it to me.

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