A Poignant and Powerful New Memoir
Bomb Shelter by Laura Philpott; Atria Books, 285 pages, Memoir
From the bestselling author of I Miss You When I Blink and “writer of singular spark and delight” (Elizabeth Gilbert, #1 New York Times bestselling author) comes a poignant and powerful new memoir that tackles the big questions of life, death, and existential fear with humor and hope.
A lifelong worrier, Philpott always kept an eye out for danger, a habit that only intensified when she became a parent. But she looked on the bright side, too, believing that as long as she cared enough, she could keep her loved ones safe.
Then, in the dark of one quiet, pre-dawn morning, she woke abruptly to a terrible sound—and found her teenage son unconscious on the floor. In the aftermath of a crisis that darkened her signature sunny spirit, she wondered: If this happened, what else could happen? And how do any of us keep going when we can’t know for sure what’s coming next?
Leave it to the writer whose critically acclaimed debut had us “laughing and crying on the same page” (NPR) to illuminate what it means to move through life with a soul made of equal parts anxiety and optimism (and while she’s at it, to ponder the mysteries of backyard turtles and the challenges of spatchcocking a turkey).
Hailed by TheWashington Post as “Nora Ephron, Erma Bombeck, Jean Kerr, and Laurie Colwin all rolled into one,” Philpott returns in her distinctive voice to explore our protective instincts, the ways we continue to grow up long after we’re grown, and the limits—both tragic and hilarious—of the human body and mind.
What They Are Saying
“Beautifully written…eloquent…offers pleasure and comfort to anyone who has ever worried about someone they love.” —Booklist
“Philpott gently guides the reader with humor and familiarity through life’s terrain, letting her readers know if she can do it, we can do it.” —LitHub’s Most Anticipated Books of 2022
My Thoughts
Lately, I’ve read some very good memoirs and this collection of essays can be added to my growing list. As a person who has been plagued with being overly anxious most of my life, I was eager to delve into her story.
Bomb Shelter is a book of short, unrelated, chapters. Philpott shared her struggles as a parent, something many can relate to. Each chapter addressed an individual snippet from her life. Some I could relate to. And if it wasn’t relatable it was certainly interesting.
This is the type of memoir that even non-readers are apt to enjoy. I see these chapters as short evening stories to unwind to.
I could feel the honesty spring from the pages as Philpott disclosed both her strengths and her weaknesses. The writing was captivating and pulled me in with emotions and descriptions.
My Concerns
Often her stories would abruptly head in another direction which, I’m not gonna lie, bothered me quite a bit. However, in time I started to get used to it.
Final Thoughts
I’m so happy that I read this book. I fell in love with the short chapters which made it perfect reading any time I had a few minutes to sit down with a book.
Her stories were very interesting, and it was hard not to share many of her experiences and emotions.
A definite yes. This is a book to add to your bookshelf if you like relatable, personal stories.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC and post my opinion.
About the Author
Mary Laura Philpott, author of the national bestseller I Miss You When I Blink, writes essays that examine the overlap of the absurd and the profound in everyday life. Her writing has been featured frequently by The New York Times and appears in such outlets as The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Real Simple, and more. A former bookseller, she also hosted an interview program on Nashville Public Television for several years. Mary Laura lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her family.
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