Then I’d promised Fi his favorites—oxtail stew with grits and greens—as soon as I had an operating kitchen, my pots and pans unpacked. Also, baked apples, Epsom salt baths, peppermint oil foot rubs, hot water bottles, green tea, honey, lemon, ginger, and garlic in everything: I treat my children as if they’re faddish Edwardian lepidopterists when they’re tired, poorly, under strain. “I can’t wait to feed you properly,” I’d said. I’d told him how much I’d missed feeding him: all that gathering of ingredients, all those hours in fragrant steam, the piles of food, plates wiped clean. It grounds me to feed my children; they eat and I take root.
Selected as one of the Best Books of 2024 (so far) by NY Times Book Review. Review by David Sheff: “A Mother’s Devastating Memoir of Losing Her Adult Son. In “Fi,” Alexandra Fuller describes the sudden death of her 21-year-old.”
I feel this.
I figured YOU would…
You did, did you? 🙂
💕
Oh wow. I felt/feel this. Deeply.
I bet
God but I love the way this woman writes. I have a serious crush…just sayin.
With you Lori. And she narrates her book on Audible and it’s a Wow there too!
Wow, this is so palpable, and you can feel sorrow behind the words – as if the word ‘devastating’ silently follows. Not sure I can read this despite its unquestionable beauty
I’m a 1/4 way in, and so far, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I’m sure it’s fantastic – just can’t read about the loss of a son (or a daughter, or dad, or mom, dog, gerbil, hamster – anyone or thing that is loved so very much). This isn’t to say that I would like hamster, mouse, or squirrel having free rein of my house…
❤️
I feel ineffable sadness after reading such a short passage… How are you doing (emotionally) with the book?
Hi Laila. Tough topic but the author of the book review that tagged in the post said it best in his finish: “Fuller is sagacious and perspicacious. She is a sublime writer. In the hands of another memoirist, the story of Fi might be unbearably sad, but this book is a mesmeric celebration of a boy who died too soon, a mother’s love and her resilience. It will help others surviving loss — surviving life.”
Interesting how this beautiful word “lepidopterists” is used.
Yes!
this gave me chills, and i feel it profoundly. i lost my sister suddenly in our 20s, and i often wondered about how it affected my parents. my brother also lost his young son, and i’m certain about how it affected him and his ex. i would like to read this book, even thought it will be emotional, she seems to be a brilliant writer.
Beth, so sorry to hear about your sister. Couldn’t imagine losing someone that young. I’m a third of the way through the book. She’s an amazing writer and narrator. Dave
❤️❤️❤️
this floored me!
In a good way????
Alexandra Fuller ( Heartbreaking that she lost her Son)-I know this is one women’s words, heart felt, beautifully stated..I can feel the loving comfort provided by Alexandra Fuller…What she says, Holds True for anyone that loves a child: a parent, Mom or Dad, a grandmother,grandfather an aunt, uncle, older sibling…
So true!