Customer Reviews

Now Breathe: A very personal journey through breast cancer

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I started reading it last night and finished it today. My husband, who rarely reads the same books as I do, read it in a day. We could not put it down. It is poetic, honest, funny, sad, truthful. Claudia shared her breast cancer experience in clear, present and descriptive language. It was an absolutely wonderful book, which I will recommend to both women and men. Much thanks to the author for sharing her experience.

I love Sternbach's writing style and this book was so personal and touching. She really takes you on a journey with her.

Now Breathe gives the reader an intimate and poignant entre into the life of a creative, resourceful, and spiritual women--Claudia Sternbach. While reading the book, the reader experiences Claudia's love for her family, respect for herself, and for life in general. Claudia's sense of humor and candid commentary creates a riveting reading experience. I could not put the book down or stop telling my friends about my new friend, Claudia. A MUST read for everyone.

Sorry, but as an avid reader of primarily non-fiction, I couldn't help but wonder who would publish this mini-book. Frankly what other reviewers find bold and candid, I find withheld. (The Ghandi Syndrome I am sure will come back to haunt me. How could anyone find fault about a book of someone's ordeal with cancer?)

Well, I can and do. Sternbach also has an annoying style, where her prose is chopped into a minimalism that out-minimalizes Raymond Carver, something I didn't think could be done. She gets two stars just for that feat.

I guess I wasn't very wowed by this particular book. I've read so many personal cancer stories (she calls hers "Very Personal") that as a genre, it is old and tiresome. There wasn't that much personal in it at all. Sorry. I empathize with anyone who has a serious, potentially life threatening illness, but is there really anything special about Sternbach's account that raises it above any of the others?