Tuesday, September 30, 2008

An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination: a memoir

Photograph of Elizabeth McCracken

Title: An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination: a memoir
Author: Elizabeth McCracken
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pages: 188
Yearly Count: 61

In this AMAZING memoir Elizabeth McCracken tells her story, the life she has and the one that she lost. A book for those gone, so early in their little lives that it would seem they were almost a figment of our imagination. Written by a woman who knows what it feels like, what it looks like and how it is all perceived. What? A stillbirth, the loss, the pain, grief, the lists of firsts, of places never returned to, of a child that faded way before he was even seen.

McCracken's emotion in this book is not theatrical, over dramatic, or written about in a long prose of self-mope. It is a book of reality, of memories, and memories that should have been, but were not and of the life that continues and the loss that is still felt even when others forget.
If I had a stillbirth, this is the book I would grab, and if you haven't this is still the book I would recommend. I do not know this pain or the suffering that surrounds the death of a child, of one not even allowed to experience the first breath. An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination speaks soothing while raw words, from the depths of honesty inside McCracken's stunning pen-shaped-heart.

As powerful as Elisabeth McCracken's memoir is, it is endearing, hopeful, sad and unique. This is the story of a woman, and her husband in a country not their own. The story of a baby that was not born, and his brother (born later) who would not ever take his place, but who would fill his parent's hearts with joy, even if they would never forget their sweet Pudding (that is what they endearingly named their first child). In reading it I felt encouraged, and uplifted, the way Elizabeth puts it down really mostly makes you think. It makes you see things in a new light, and from the angle of someone who has gone through loss. Ya gotta read it!!

Audio Excerpt by Elizabeth McCracken
Chapter Excerpt An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination

Blog Tour Stops for: An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination

6 comments:

Serena said...

This sounds like an interesting book about loss. No need to enter me into the contest.

Anna said...

I think I'll recommend this book to my sister. Her first son was stillborn last year. I can't begin to understand her pain, and while I tried to help, she really needed someone who understood what she was going through. She's due to give birth to another son next week. I think once everything turns out okay this time, she will find this book helpful. Thanks for a great review!

--Anna
http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com

Corinne said...

You've written a really thoughtful review friend :)

Darlene said...

I left you something here:
http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-got-i-love-your-blog-award.html

Anonymous said...

:)

This sure would be a touching read ... i m sure!

Anonymous said...

I'd just love to read this one! It sounds heartbreaking and touching.
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth