It’s hard to describe this memoir. The hardships survived by Klimt are clearly difficult, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the depths of struggle she has endured thus far in her life. I finished this book in about five hours across two days – a testament to the intrigue built by the author’s story. She’s had everything thrown at her – from chronic pain to cancer to repetitive bad romantic relationships to difficult parental situations to suicide to drug abuse and more. She seems to have learned from all these situations well and lived to “tell the story” as they say.
I would not exactly say that the quality of prose in this book is award-winning. There is an occasional grammatical or spelling mistake. A wide variety of descriptive verbiage is used, but the craft of storytelling is not what carries the story along. Rather it is the story itself. Klimt titles each chapter after a prominent character in her life story, often a romantic interest (sometimes with the surname 2.0 or even 3.0!). Her situation was clearly unstable for most of her lifespan. My heart broke for her as she encountered yet another codependent relationship, with both parties unable to construct lasting health.
Certainly, Klimt shares some blame for this as she acknowledges directly in the text. Notably, however, she persisted in trying to overcome her hardships as we all must. That perseverance is without a doubt admirable. She seems like a woman coming to terms with her own life through writing – especially her mortality. I cannot help but wonder whether this book is written with her children in mind as she wants to leave a positive legacy for them.
This book left moving effects on me. It reminded me just how fortunate and privileged my life has been. I’ve had one or two events of the magnitude Klimt has overcome, but nowhere near the volume described here. If Klimt can go on to live a meaningful life, so can I. I suspect many other readers will have similar responses as they finish her work.
This book is broadly applicable to the general reading public. Nonetheless, I think one group of people can benefit especially from this work: healthcare workers. Almost all physicians will never experience the type of numerous, debilitating setbacks that Klimt has faced. Almost none will ever personally face a progressive illness like Ankylosing Spondylitis. But they will deal with many patients who face similar difficult odds. Reading this book, written by a former paramedic, can increase their empathy for their patients. It will teach them about the endurance that some face in overcoming life’s hardships. Ultimately, that testimony to human perseverance is the legacy of this book.
2 – 3 Tears: One Woman’s Dauntless Pursuit of Love
By Suzie Klimt
Copyright (c) 2021
Tellwell Talent
ISBN13 9780228861003
Page Count: 172
Genre: Memoir, Autobiography
www.amazon.com