This is an audio book that was written and read by the author, Diane Rehm. I don't listen to NPR where Rehm had a program, but I wished I had after listening to this book. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot. This book has several different themes running through it. Ms. Rehm lost her husband of 54 years a few years ago - and thus the title of the book. She talks about the abrupt changes that happen when one is left alone to deal with life's usual challenges. She talks about the depth of pain that comes with losing a spouse. What was unexpected and made her pain seem so raw was the truth she told about the marriage. Often after a death the lost one becomes a saint. Ms. Rehm tells about the wonderful parts of their marriage but doesn't hold back when telling about the hard parts.
Another theme that she weaves in and out the entire book is the question of the "right to die". Her husband, John, had suffered a long time with Parkinson's. He wanted to die but could no longer physically commit suicide. His state does not allow physician-assisted suicide. So desperate to die was John that he did the only thing he could to bring an end to his suffering. One of Ms. Rehm's passions now is to help change the culture so that people can have control over their own deaths.
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