This Is Not A Pity Memoir

By: Abi Morgan

Narrated by: Fiona Button

What happens when your partner of twenty years suddenly believes you’re nothing but a stranger?

What do you do when your history together is gone?

How do you prove you’re not an imposter in your own life?

When the partner of Emmy Award–winning screenwriter Abi Morgan abruptly collapsed from a mysterious illness, doctors were concerned that he would not survive. Then, six months later, Jacob woke from his coma, to the delight and relief of his family and friends—except this proved to be anything but a Hollywood ending. Because to Jacob, the woman standing at his bedside, who had cared for him all these months, was not his partner. Not his children’s mother. Not the woman he loved. Sure, she looked like his Abi, but this was an imposter, living someone else’s life.

Finding herself dropped into a real-life night-mare seemingly ripped from the pages of a thriller, Abi must find a way to hang on to not only their past but also their future together, before it slips away from them both. With grace, an irresistible sense of humor and refreshingly raw honesty, This Is Not a Pity Memoir grapples with a journey through fear and redemption few should have to face.

What do you do when you are losing your love?

You don’t write a pity memoir.

You write a love story.

Unflinching humanity & funny

First, the narrator gives the book a nearly perfect read. Second, Abi Morgan seems to care more about being unflinchingly honest in her writing than being liked, which not only makes me like her but makes this book anything but boring. I liked her spare writing and inner filmmaker dialogue "this bit will be cut… will not be in the movie." It fits her profession (her obsession, really, with visual storytelling) while efficiently making the point that real life is not film. Her observations of her partner Jacob, were equally spare and unflinching and, to me, fascinating because I’ve been interested in the mysteries of the brain ever since taking a course in neuroscience at uni. I came across this book because I recently re-watched the series River with Stellan Skarsgard and Nicola Walker. And I thought, this was so damed good, I should find out what else this writer has written. Glad that thought led me to this book. I hope if this book is ever reprinted that Abi will write an epilogue describing the difference between Jacob at 5% as in the book and at 80% as she has since described him in interviews. Finally, the book already reads like a movie, but maybe also make a movie—please. I do agree with a another reviewer that the book cover is awful.

Fantastic

At times sad, but not because the author is being depressing. Overall the constant hope mixed with accepting current reality all while looking towards the next step is amazingly beautiful. Abi shares some of her experiences to help others and open eyes of the fortunate.

Good book

Well written. More upbeat than one would think highly recommended. Among the most interesting memoirs The reader is also excellent .

Beautiful like life

I’m not sure if I recommend it, if you’re looking for escapism, but it is beautiful all around. I will miss hearing about the lives of the characters. Perfect narrator for such an emotional story.

Excellent

Thought provoking memorable insights into love and a family’s capacity for strength and growth. Truly exceeded my expectations.