I love reading- I literally devour books and almost have a panic attack when I’m nearing the end of the current one I’m reading and haven’t got a back-up. This particular book, written by local author Lauren Segal, was not one I was keen on. I hesitated because of the subject matter- I was afraid of being depressed and sad at this time of year when the festive season is imminent, the jacarandas are gorgeous and life takes on its frivolous and fun components. But I read it. In two days. I’m so happy I did.

Lauren Segal lives and works in Johannesburg- she’s a fabulous, adventurous woman, wife and mom and a museum curator- (her most recent project was curating and designing the new Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre). She also heads up Trace, a research, design and exhibition company, currently in early stages of designing the Museum of the Constitution at Constitution Hill. Trace has curated several high-profile exhibitions including A Prisoner in the Garden for the Mandela Foundation and Gandhi for the City of Johannesburg.

It was with trepidation that I commenced the memoir of this four-time cancer survivor- but the beautifully written work captured me from the onset and I was profoundly involved in every step of her gruelling journey. She recalls Zorba the Greek’s description of the human condition, particularly when things are tough- as the “full catastrophe of life”- and this resonates as you delve deeper into this story.

Yet the author finds a new way to live her life, bolstered along by the endless love from her family and friends and her community:

“Throughout my arduous journey into the world of cancer, I have discovered that proximity to death brings with it a new proximity to life. I have learned that luck and unluck, happiness and distress, hope and despair are tightly coiled into a life well lived.”

This is the best time of year to read this book, as you might go through your own journey of rediscovery and borrow the tools that the author so generously gives to learn to love yourself wholly in the coming New Year, without ifs or buts. This is a book that you’ll race through because of its compelling story, but you’ll go back to for the nuggets of insight that will motivate you in different ways.

Inspired by her own journey into self-discovery and healing, Lauren is currently studying part-time to become a psychoanalyst.

Breast cancer kills one in eight women in South Africa- mainly because of late-stage diagnosis.

All profits from the sale of the books will go to the Breast Health Foundation.

Available from:

www.loot.co.za

http://www.loot.co.za/product/lauren-segal-cancer-a-love-story/nmpd...

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