My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me

March 15, 2020
An essay gone viral leads to this memoir about deep loss and navigating profound grief. In March 2017, on the eve of her death from ovarian cancer, bestselling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal published a piece in the "Modern Love" section of the New York Times. Titled "You May Want To Marry My Husband," it read like an expanded dating-site post extolling the virtues of the man who would soon become a widower. It generated millions of views and plenty of responses, including a few marriage proposals, but also numerous messages of support from well-wishers who had experienced similar tragedies. This book contains the entire original column as well as a follow-up column, written by the author, titled "My Wife Said You May Want To Marry Me," excerpts from many of the responses he received, and passages from notes and letters he and his wife exchanged during what seemed like an idyllic marriage. "If he sounds like a prince and our relationship seems like a fairy tale, it's not too far off," she wrote in her essay, and this memoir corroborates that account. Yet her death wasn't the turn a fairy tale is supposed to take, and the author's coming to terms with it is easily the most moving and useful part of the book. As he writes, he discovered that "grief as a process is unique to everyone, and there is no right or wrong way to flow through it." He takes us through that process and shows us what kinds of support were particularly helpful. He doesn't have any desire to let go, but he found that he was able to move on, even to fall in love again, perhaps partly because his late wife encouraged him to do so. A memoir filled with advice and support for anyone else going through similar circumstances.

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April 1, 2020

Ten days before her death from ovarian cancer, an article written by author and filmmaker Amy Krause Rosenthal was published by the New York Times. "You May Want To Marry My Husband" praised the positive qualities of her husband and encouraged him to find love again after her death. In this memoir, her widower Jason Rosenthal (coauthor, Dear Boy) shares his story of grieving and discovering the next phase of his life. Rosenthal tells of his life before meeting Amy; their 26-year relationship together, including raising three children; and Amy's final struggle with cancer. Rosenthal explores his feelings during Amy's illness and death, as well as during several other losses that occurred shortly afterward. After delivering a TED talk about his experience, Rosenthal's life mission shifted; he is now a speaker and advocate about the grieving journey and finding joy after loss. VERDICT Rosenthal's grief journey is expressed with candor, humor, and gratitude. Fans of Amy Krause Rosenthal will want to know about the next phase of Jason's life. Also recommended for readers either experiencing grief or wanting to understand how to support someone experiencing loss.--Anitra Gates, Erie Cty. P.L., PA

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2020
Rosenthal and his wife, the prolific writer Amy Krouse Rosenthal, raised children, built their dream house, navigated successful careers, and loved spending time together. As new empty-nesters, they made big plans for traveling, making art, and volunteering. But everything came to a screeching halt when Amy faced a terminal cancer diagnosis. Ten days before her death, Amy published the New York Times story, You May Want to Marry my Husband. It went viral, thrusting Rosenthal into the spotlight as he tried to navigate life without his beloved wife. In this memoir of his journey through grief, he recounts the intervening years?a TED talk, therapy, Burning Man, travel?and shares how he came to understand that his grief for Amy will live right alongside his new joys. After receiving letters from strangers around the world, he realized that loss is loss is loss; whether a spouse, friend, family pet, job or a dream, They all hurt. They all matter. Rosenthal's gut-wrenching, honest, and uplifting memoir offers reassurance and connection to readers experiencing their own losses.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)