Diane Rehm

2.5 stars. This book is deeply emotional, open, and honest. Rehm clearly has strong feelings about her support for aid in dying at the end of a terminal illness. Her belief is that it would allow a dying person a measure of control over their life. I don't much agree with her arguments - after all, the idea that we can always control what happens to us is a fallacy. She described her vision and hope of an afterlife as "childish" and a "fantasy." On her radio show (which I really admire and enjoy), Rehm seems like such a strong, independent women. This book painted such a different picture of her! She discussed her husband's "confession" that he was emotionally abusive. She then kind of glossed over it (or at least didn't go into any more detail). Then, she went on to gush about how much she adored him and how amazing he was. Her description of her relationship with her children just plain made me sad. Overall, the book read like a personal journal of someone working through her grief - a bit too rambling and disorganized for my tastes. A person who has been through a similar situation as Rehm's may enjoy it more than I did. Sadly, after reading it, I don't think I will listen to her show in the same way.… (mere)

Rehm's book is a true gift. She offers an intimate look into her experience of her husband's disease, his death, her grief, their marriage, her career; along with her ruminations on a myriad of social issues particularly focusing on compassionate end of life choices. At it's core, however, On My Own is a love letter to her beloved spouse. Her words, full of such honesty and beauty, left an imprint on my heart. She writes: "So now I move forward, still grieving, but knowing that my husband will always be part of my life, a huge part, and I shall love him forever."… (mere)