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Leah Dieterich

Författare till Vanishing Twins: A Marriage

2 verk 42 medlemmar 3 recensioner

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Do you ever read a book everyone else who read it is raving about and wonder if you read the same book they did? Once you compare the text of what they read and what you read and discover that the book does in fact contain the same words, do you wonder if it's a case of the Emperor's New Clothes or if you missed something somehow? (I will admit I do tend to think that it's the former much more often than the latter.) Leah Dieterich's memoir, Vanishing Twins, is a book I struggled with as I was reading it and found utterly perplexing when I discovered that so many others consider it amazing.

The memoir is the story of Dieterich's sense of being one half of a whole, missing some shadow piece of herself, and searching for wholeness in ballet, in philosophy, in an early marriage, in sexual fluidity, in every aspect of her life, really. She says that she feels as if she is a twin, suggesting that she is the product of a vanishing twin pregnancy, where the mother's body (or the twin herself) reabsorbs one of the fetuses early on in the pregnancy. Unless I missed it, there is no scientific basis for her feeling; it is just a feeling she accepts as truth. And one that drives her life. She marries early and while she loves her husband, she finds the nature of monogamy stultifying so they eventually ease into an open marriage in which Dieterich explores her sexual feelings for a woman while her husband Eric has his own affair. What this duel exploration and Dieterich's living in a different city from her husband means to their marriage, her sense of herself, who she wants to be, and her acceptance of herself is the thrust of this memoir.

The writing here is choppy and fragmented. It is bluntly honest and yet somehow still hard to connect or sympathize with. Dieterich struggles with balancing her individual art within a marriage, a merged life, but she looks outside of herself rather than within herself to find a scapegoat for this struggle, her need for and the simultaneous rejection of a pas de deux. It is clear she is afraid she is subsuming her real self in the heterosexual, monogamous marriage society expects of her and that this fear of losing herself as an individual is absolutely overwhelming to her. While she captures that feeling on the page, it didn't make for compelling reading for me. In fact, combine this with the style of writing and I just wanted to be done with the book. A search of self, love, and acceptance can be dynamic and gripping but, for me, unfortunately this just wasn't.
… (mer)
 
Flaggad
whitreidtan | Oct 14, 2018 |
If you have yet to be introduced to Leah’s daily thank you not website, run don’t walk to it right now – click HERE.

The ladies at work introduced me to ThxThxThx probably a year ago and I couldn’t resist adding her blog to my Google Reader and checking out her latest thank you note each day. It got even better when she decided to put a book together of all her favorites, so many more than what she has posted on her website.

A quick read, so much fun, laugh out loud, and a great book to share with the girlfriends, family and everyone you meet. Buy the book, subscribe to her website, and consider writing your own daily thank you note.… (mer)
 
Flaggad
blondierocket | 1 annan recension | Jun 27, 2011 |
Received through Net Galley
(will purchase when it releases: June 21st 2011)

What was Useful: This is a book that reminds us to be thankful for everything. Leah thanks everything from rice to opposites to Italy to Patience. She does it in a very real way and each note appears to come straight from the heart.

My Favorites:

Dear Headache, Thanks for reminding me that it's unwise to drink whiskey in bed while reading right before going to sleep. It's not the best idea, and without your thumping, aching gift, I probably would do it more often. Which isn't good. Thanks Again - Leah

Dear Men's Undershirts, Thank you for having a greater ability to get old and soft than other types of t-shirts. If only your lovely tactile qualities weren't accompanied by yellowed armpits, but then again no one's perfect, and you're pretty close. xo, Leah

Dear Piles of Books I haven't read, Thanks for making me feel bad about myself for not reading fast or enough, and for buying things before I really need them. And then, upon having those thoughts, for reminding me to stop being so gosh darned hard on myself about everything. Best, Leah

Dear Kindness, Thank you for killing people. You're definitely my favorite weapon. If only they made a holster for you, perhaps I could wield you more quickly. Thanks Again, Leah

There are 100s of these and they are so spot on most of the time you can't help but smile!

What was missing: This was a pretty complete book that fulfills it purpose. It would have been cute to have some pictures but I understand that is a personal preference. The notecard look probably reflects the author completely.

Why I gave it a 4: This was a great tool that reminds us to be thankful for everything in life even those things we would rather scowl at. It would be perfect to set on the nightstand next to your bed and read one a day.

Who I would recommend it too: People who enjoy non-fiction books that remind you to be thankful. I read through all of them but this is something that you can read one or two a day to get a jolt of thankfulness.

Author Website: http://thxthxthx.com/
… (mer)
 
Flaggad
thehistorychic | 1 annan recension | Feb 10, 2011 |

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Statistik

Verk
2
Medlemmar
42
Popularitet
#357,757
Betyg
½ 3.5
Recensioner
3
ISBN
6