My take on: Marrow: A Love Story

Marrow: A Love Story is author Elizabeth Lesser's emotional journey through her sister Maggie's cancer treatments, from start to finish. A bone marrow transplant is Maggie's best chance at survival. And Elizabeth is a perfect match. Before embarking on a medical bone marrow transplant, both sisters agree to go on a "soul" marrow transplant. If both of them are emotionally healthy, then physical health will follow.

This is a glimpse into their childhood. This is a glimpse into their relationship as sisters. Their relationships with their quirky, bookish parents. A glimpse into their relationships with their other sisters, and what it was like to grow up with four girls in the house! A glimpse into their marriages, divorces, careers, their children. It's a glimpse into their life, and ultimately the end of Maggie's life.

I thought this was an interesting concept. Getting rid of the emotional baggage can only lead to a better life. While they were on this "soul" journey, Maggie did more living and enjoying the moment than she ever had. The majority of this book is told from Elizabeth's perspective, with little notes from Maggie's personal journal -- even funny little nuggets of Maggie wanting to be an eggplant in her next life.

This is very engaging and very well-written, but...I wasn't necessarily a fan of the author's approach in telling this story. One moment this book is about a deep love a sister has for her sibling. Those moments feel very genuine, very real, very relatable. But at other times, the author focuses on how to lead a better life, a best life. There is nothing wrong with books like that, but in this book that approach feels very clinical. Is this a memoir? Or is this a self-help book? I felt like this book was caught between two worlds. The book was a little disjointed for my taste, but overall I think this will inspire many, including myself, to appreciate what you have!

Rating: Give it a try

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher (HarperCollins) as part of a blog tour with TLC Book Tours.