Product Description

Journalist Dina Rabinovitch had just turned 40 when was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2004. At that point she didn't know a thing about the disease. By the time of her death in autumn 2007, she was an expert. Her experience of the condition and its treatment, from diagnosis through mastectomy to remission and reoccurrence is recounted in this down-to-earth memoir, covering everything from trialling the last anti-cancer drugs to what to wear that's stylish after surgery. Warm, lively, at times irreverent, Rabinovitch's brave story of juggling a hectic career and a large, extended family while living - and dying - with cancer is essential reading.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #139892 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-19
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

About the Author
Dina Rabinovitch was a regular columnist for the Guardian, as well as a critic and children's books reviewer. She died, aged 44, on 30 October 2007.

Customer Reviews

What everyone needs ...
This is just the book that anyone going through an experience like that of the writer needs to read. It's practical,informative, insightful and tells it as it is in a positive and constructive way. In fact, it's the book that anyone going through a similar experience should read as well as those around them to gain a better understanding of the process. The writer manages to be upbeat through the ongoing treatment and anguish providing inspiration to everyone whilst still managing to get on with the day to day business of living. A must read

truly excellent book
I bought this book because I enjoyed Dina Rabinovitch's articles in the Guardian and wanted to read more by her. Her writing is certain and careful and finely considered, and also so immediate and personal that it was only after I finished the book that I realized how much she must have left out, i.e., how finely-crafted this narrative is. While I was reading it, I felt that I was in the center of her life and experiences with her, and I felt privileged to be there even when that was a frightening and painful place to be. But afterwards, thinking of friends of mine living with cancer, I was left with the realization of all she didn't write, her fair-mindedness, the choices she must have made about what to share and what to keep to herself. It's confessional in the way that all fantastic writing is confessional, and it is impersonal in that way as well. Although it is billed (?) as a 'memoir', it is the kind of book that opens the door to Rabinovitch's world(s) (Hendon, family, reviewing, cancer) in a kind of beautifully-constructed gift to the reader. It's a difficult book to read at times, but I was sorry when it came to an end. I finished the book wishing that I knew her, wishing her well, and wishing that another book, on any topic at all, was on its way.

Informative and very moving
I have had the pleasure of meeting Dina Rabinovitch in a professional capacity and all I can say is - thank God someone decided to publish this book after it was turned down by many other short-sighted publishing companies. This is not just a book for people suffering from cancer, it is a book for everyone. It is a fascinating, moving, sad and sometimes shockingly honest account fo what happens when a mother of eight children - from two marriages - finds out she has breast cancer. There is no deliberate tear jerking here, just honesty about the whole complicated process of diagnosis, masectomy, drug trials, intravenous herception etc....It is obvious that the author is intelligent and motivated (which she is in real life) and I recommend this book to everyone....