Exit Wounds

A Story of Love, Loss, and Occasional Wars

By: Peter Godwin

Narrated by: Peter Godwin

From award-winning author Peter Godwin, an “eloquent” (The Wall Street Journal) memoir about his evolving relationships with the women and places that shaped his life.

Peter Godwin’s mother is dying.

Born in England, and having spent most of her adult life as a doctor in Zimbabwe, she now lies on a hospital bed in the partitioned living room of his sister’s London home.

Peter has spent his life missing his Zimbabwean childhood, a longing that does not diminish as he reflects on his time as a journalist on the frontlines of combat around the world, or life in New York with his English wife and transatlantic children. In his mother’s final months, he must come to terms with everything his family was and wasn’t: the secrets they kept from one another, the stoicism that sometimes threatened to destroy them, and the beauty of the wildly different places they called home.

With generations of history behind him, Godwin lyrically brings us into the spaces which make us question and suffer, shows us how we can heal our own scars, and celebrate the lives we have among family and friends.

Hauntingly Beautiful Memoir

This memoir greatly resonated with me. Also an immigrant, also a (former) resident of New York City, a citizen of the world, and of nowhere, I recognized Peter’s sense of belonging and not belonging. The narrative gained strength and authenticity being read by him. I loved the fact that he didn’t sugar coat his life; he presents it to us warts and all. His traumas, fears, his failings are all there. Just like everyone else. There is nothing heroic about this life. Just someone trying to find and understand himself, and therein lies its power. Highly recommend it!

Thank you, Mr Godwin!

Thank you, Peter! As someone who used to live in East Africa and fell in love in the region, I can deeply relate to many of the themes you are raising. Challenged relations, fragmented and unclear identity, and lack of belonging. I hope that things will get better and I am looking forward to yet another memoir. All the best!

Lives lived & living

Written beautifully .. thoughtfully done, a review of a family, the world, how lives intermingle and go on

Story telling at its finest

The story-telling, cultural history and narration made this book an enriching, enjoyable listen but when the author also shares relatable experiences and emotions so eloquently, it helps others take a step forward in our own life journey. I thank the author for giving words to complex situations so difficult to sort out.

Beautifully written

A lyrical and moving story that has helped me give words to so many aspects of grief and loss of a parent.