I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes With Death by Maggie O’Farrell was one of my favorite reads of 2018. I listened to it through Overdrive and I think that may have distracted from each of the recounts of near death. The stories were not chronological and it would have been helpful to see the dates and be able to look back when I needed. Despite that, I was impressed with the writing and the words Maggie uses to describe every time she almost lost her life. It would have been easy to lose the reader with unrealistic descriptions but Maggie kept the stories within realistic limits. Some of the stories were a little hard to believe but others were so real and ripped my heart out. The last few chapters were heartbreaking because I empathize as a mother and as a daughter.
I will say there were a few times when it became hard to listen to because the emotions are so real and raw. There are a few triggers if you have experienced miscarriage or infertility or have a sick child. She emotes the feelings parents go through trying to protect their children and how lonely and heartbreaking it is when we can’t.
Memoirs are precious and a sacred genre to me because the vulnerability it takes to give your personal story to the world. Maggie wrote this book for her daughter and as a mom I think it would take even deeper vulnerability to share. Thank you Maggie for sharing these words and helping readers to see the mystery and precious gift of life and what it takes to protect it.
I gave I Am, I Am, I Am 4 stars on Goodreads.
Army of Readers 