Between Two Kingdoms

Suleika Jaouad wrote this memoir after being diagnosed with leukemia at age 22, just as she was beginning her post-college life in Paris. The book chronicles both her cancer treatment journey and what came after entering remission. During her years of treatment, Jaouad documented her experiences in a New York Times column called "Life, Interrupted," which reached a wide audience of fellow patients and survivors. Her hospital room became her first workspace as a professional writer. Following her recovery, Jaouad embarked on a 15,000-mile road trip across America to meet some of the strangers who had written to her during her illness. She traveled with her dog Oscar, visiting people who had connected with her story. The memoir explores the space between sickness and health, and what it means to begin living again after surviving. It raises questions about identity, purpose, and how to bridge the gap between two distinct chapters of life.

Readers connect deeply with Jaouad's raw honesty about her cancer journey and subsequent search for meaning. Many note the book reads like a page-turning memoir in the first half, then transforms into a thoughtful road trip narrative. Readers appreciate: - The vivid medical details and hospital scenes - Her insights about survivorship and identity - The complex family dynamics - Quality of writing and pacing Common criticisms: - Second half feels disconnected from first - Road trip section drags for some readers - Some found the author's privilege evident in her ability to take extended travels - Several mention wanting more closure or reflection Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (48,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (3,800+ ratings) "Raw and beautifully crafted" appears frequently in reviews. Multiple readers cite the passage about her first chemotherapy as particularly powerful. Some note it helped them process their own illness experiences or support loved ones with cancer.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi A neurosurgeon's memoir chronicles his transformation from doctor to terminal cancer patient while exploring questions of mortality and meaning.

The Bright Hour by Nina Riggs A writer with terminal breast cancer documents her final years while weaving together family history, literature, and reflections on parenthood.

The Still Point of the Turning World by Emily Rapp Black A mother processes grief and contemplates life's meaning while caring for her infant son with a terminal illness.

Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved by Kate Bowler A divinity professor examines life with stage IV cancer through the lens of faith, uncertainty, and the American obsession with positive thinking.

The Unwinding of the Miracle by Julie Yee A woman faces terminal cancer while reflecting on her journey from war-torn Vietnam to American motherhood through raw, unflinching observations.

🌟 Suleika Jaouad wrote much of the book while confined to her hospital room, documenting her journey through leukemia in real-time through her Emmy Award-winning New York Times column, "Life, Interrupted" 💫 After her cancer treatment, Jaouad embarked on a 15,000-mile solo road trip across America to meet some of the strangers who had written to her during her illness ⚡ The book's title is inspired by Susan Sontag's work "Illness as Metaphor," which describes illness as a journey between "the kingdom of the well" and "the kingdom of the sick" 🌟 During her treatment, Jaouad kept a tally of the number of needle sticks she endured - the count reached 1,348 by the end of her four-year cancer battle 💫 Will Hoge, a musician Jaouad met during her cross-country journey, later wrote and recorded a song called "Between Two Kingdoms" inspired by her story