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Left on Tenth

by Delia Ephron

Biography. Themes: Grief, Second Act Love Story, Medical Memoir

It is unusual for a memoir to offer a full range of human experiences one could hope to understand. From loss, diagnosis and treatment, depression, caregiver exhaustion and (even!) a sunset love story, in her wry book, Left on Tenth~A Second Chance at Life, Delia Ephron delivers it all.  

Ephron, sister of the late Nora Ephron, has had a long-standing career as a writer and is no amateur at sharing the intimate details of her life and relationships. Her memoir begins with a heartbreaking scene all too familiar for those supporting a loved one on hospice- a fall out of bed, unsympathetic paramedics, and rushed hospice support. Where I expected a memoir of grief, instead Ephron took a sharp left into the land of love and then, dug deep into her own illness and recovery from the brink of death. All while maintaining her classic style, a blunt and wry voice.

As I listened to the author read her own work, the cracks and squeaks of her voice made the retelling tangible. Embedded in this deeply touching and captivating story, you’ll discover experiential wisdom, a critique of the system that under-serves the ill and dying. Hers was a long and convoluted journey but as we’ve come to expect from Delia Ephron, everything she writes about feels freshly delivered.

The Farewell Library is where Jade blends her love of literature with her passion for death literacy and grief awareness. Jade offers a monthly Death & Grief-focused virtual book club, book reviews of the latest Death and Grief centered books and tips and tricks for aspiring death workers and others standing at the sacred thresholds of death and grief. Please support this series by ordering from Bookshop.org