Publishers Weekly
03/20/2023
Psychologist Mandel debuts with a bruising chronicle of her experiences with cancer. During her second pregnancy, 36-year-old Mandel was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, which has a mortality rate of 73% within five years. Immediately after giving birth, Mandel embarked on a course of immunotherapy and chemotherapy that she describes in unflinching detail (“I felt my throat close. I couldn’t breathe. I tried to speak but was only able to force out a tiny, suppressed grunt”). At first, Mandel was the rare patient to achieve “no evidence of disease” status within three months, but she struggled to believe her remission would last. Indeed, several years after the breast cancer cleared, Mandel received a brain cancer diagnosis, but resolved that “perhaps I’m in denial, but I’ve landed on the notion that I was a statistical outlier in the past, and there’s no reason to think I won’t be an outlier once again.” The author nimbly portrays the cocktail of emotions unearthed by the sentence “You’ve got cancer,” and paints her supportive family with staggering compassion. Her dogged fight for her life will awe readers. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
"Sarah Mandel has done something remarkable here. I found myself weeping, laughing with delight and moved with love—all in the span of the day it took me to devour this book. Filled with deliciously specific images and metaphors, clear dialogue, and rich explorations of self and others, Mandel has written—among other things—a tender witness statement of and for her body.” — Hala Alyan, author of Salt Houses
“This book is a foghorn. Yes it's murky, yes we're afraid, but Sarah Mandel is a robust and gentle guide through illness, recovery, and trauma. And Little Earthquakes is a love song to life.” — Catherine Newman, author of We All Want Impossible Things
"[Mandel] nimbly portrays the cocktail of emotions unearthed by the sentence 'You’ve got cancer,' and paints her supportive family with staggering compassion. Her dogged fight for her life will awe readers." — Publishers Weekly
". . . an encouraging story of trauma and how it affects one’s understanding of self." — Kirkus Reviews
"Couples dealing with cancer, or any other major setback, will find comfort in Mandel’s beautifully written, moving memoir." — Booklist, starred review
"Open, honest, painful, inspiring and thought-provoking, this memoir is precious." — Good Morning America