Our Short History, Lauren Grodstein
Our Short History, Lauren Grodstein
List: $29.99 | Sale: $21.00
Club: $14.99

Our Short History
A Novel

Author: Lauren Grodstein

Narrator: Karen White

Unabridged: 10 hr 27 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/21/2017

Categories: Fiction, Family Life


Synopsis

Karen Neulander, a successful New York political consultant, has always been fiercely protective of her son, Jacob, now six. She's had to be: when Jacob's father, Dave, found out Karen was pregnant and made it clear that fatherhood wasn't in his plans, Karen walked out of the relationship, never telling Dave her intention was to raise their child alone.

But now Jake is asking to meet his dad, and with good reason: Karen is dying. Worried that he'll break Jake's heart, Karen finally makes the call, and is shocked to find Dave ecstatic about the news. First, he can't meet Jake fast enough, and then, he can't seem to leave him alone. As she tries to play out her last days in the "right" way, Karen struggles with knowing that the only thing she cannot bring herself to do for her son—let his father become a permanent part of his life—is the thing he needs from her the most.

With heart-wrenching poignancy, unexpected wit, and mordant humor, Lauren Grodstein has created an unforgettable story about parenthood, sacrifice, and life itself.

About Lauren Grodstein

Lauren Grodstein is the author of four previous works of fiction, including the New York Times bestselling novel A Friend of the Family, which was a Washington Post Best Book Pick, a New York Times Editor's Pick, a BookPage Best Book, and an Indie Next Pick. She teaches creative writing at Rutgers University.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Always on February 12, 2020

Karen Neulander writes a memoir of sorts to leave behind for her son Jake. Karen has cancer and even with treatment death is only a few short years away. Jake is only six and Karen can't tell him all the things she wishes to in the time she has left. She tries to come to terms with the fact that she......more

Goodreads review by Suzanne on March 18, 2018

Karen Neulander is a successful political consultant in New York City. She is a single parent raising her six year old son, Jacob. Karen was diagnosed two years ago with stage IV ovarian cancer and is in remission after chemotherapy. Knowing her life span will be short, Karen starts to journal the h......more

Goodreads review by Carol on December 01, 2017

A single mother of a 6-year old, likely dying soon with stage-4 ovarian cancer, reflects on her life in the form of a memoir-style book written to give to her son after she has gone. Her gradual process of letting go as her health deteriorates was honest and believable. I empathized as she struggles......more

Goodreads review by Cindy on June 01, 2022

4.5 stars Our Short History is a beautifully written book that will repeatedly reduce you to tears while at other times making you laugh out loud. Karen Neulander is a single mother raising her 6-year-old son, Jake, completely on her own. Two years previously, she was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian......more