The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards

By: Jessica Waite

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

“You will stay up all night reading this gem” (Christie Tate, New York Times bestselling author) about a widow whose life is turned upside down when she uncovers the truth about her late husband. A lyrical, witty, and deeply moving memoir of betrayal and forgiveness.

While mourning her husband’s sudden death, Jessica Waite discovered shocking secrets that undermined everything she thought she knew about the man she’d loved and trusted. From secret affairs to drug use and a pornography addiction, Waite was overwhelmed reconciling this devastating information with her new reality as a widowed single mom. Then, to further complicate matters, strange, inexplicable coincidences forced her to consider whether her husband was reaching back from beyond the grave.

With unflinching honesty, Waite details her tumultuous love story and the pain of adjusting to the new normal she built for herself and her son. “A candid, raw chronicle of bereavement” (Kirkus Reviews), The Widow’s Guide to Dead Bastardsis also a lyrical exploration of mental health, single parenthood, and betrayal that demonstrates that the most moving love stories aren’t perfect—they’re flawed and poignantly real.

Therapy for Betrayed Widows

I would recommend this book for anyone who has lost a spouse/partner and also experienced betrayal by that partner.

It was a very powerful story and it struck me as to how similar the feelings experienced by the author were to my own.

Going through my deceased husband’s papers and personal items lodged into private nooks was akin to steeling myself for new revelations, expecting ‘the other shoe to drop’ and feeling the knife of betrayal all anew. I related to Jessica Waites’ story in so many ways.

I am going to recommend this book to my therapist.

Unassumingly deep

What a gem. The author has learned—the hard way—how to travel through dark and lightness and we get to experience it all with and through her. A gift she offers us. Yes, the relationship with her dead husband is overtly the central piece. But underneath it is the most important one: her relationship with herself. Beautiful book. I hope much more will come from her.

Too long

The book dragged on in certain areas. This may have been a way to emphasize certain points.

loved the title

Great read/listen. easy to follow and you can find comfort in hearing other widows situations. it's easy to feel alone in this journey but this book reminds us we are not alone.

Misleading Title

There was only ONE dead bastard… the narrator’s cheating husband. It was a tedious story, told without style or great writing.