The author writes very openly about the end of her second marriage and the search for strong relationships with both women and men, leading to the richest one with another Karen. That one, however, takes a powerful but tragic turn, as Karen #2 contracts ASL. In some ways, the most powerful section of the memoir is the description of the horrendous decline into debilitation from the disease and the subsequent peaceful death. This is all related without any self-pity at the personal costs of being a truly loving caretaker. Finally, comes the search for another equally rich, warm, and loving relationship. The author is open to reveal her own needs, uncertainties, and vulnerabilities without ever slipping into any self-righteousness. The book provides a strong and moving idea of how relationships may develop in the modern world and for people as they move into and past middle-age.
This memoir is so honest, so straightforward about what it means to come out late in life and be confused as to the world you are entering when you change your sexual orientation. The author supposed to take great courage to write a book like this.
