GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Perfection by Julie Metz

Description

Julie Metz had seemingly the perfect life–an adoring husband, a happy, spirited daughter, a lovely old house in a quaint suburban town–but it was all a lie.
Julie Metz’s life changed forever on one ordinary January afternoon when her husband, Henry, collapsed on the kitchen floor and died in her arms. Suddenly, this mother of a six-year-old became the young widow in her bucolic small town. But that was only the beginning. Seven months after Henry’s death, just when Julie thought she was emerging from the worst of it, came the rest of it: She discovered that what had appeared to be the reality of her marriage was but a half-truth. Henry had hidden another life from her.
Perfection is the story of Metz’s journey through chaos and transformation as she creates a different life for herself and for her young daughter. It is the story of rebuilding both a life and an identity after betrayal and widowhood, of rebirth and happiness–if not perfection.

About the Author

Julie Metz is a graphic designer, artist, and freelance writer whose essays have appeared in publications including Glamour and Hemispheres magazines and the online story site mrbellersneighborhood.com. The recipient of a MacDowell Fellowship, she lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her daughter and partner.

Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Voice; Reprint edition (May 18, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1401341357
  • ASIN: B003XU7VWE

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER


 MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

Spoiler Alert!  

This is probably one of the best memoirs I have read this year.  It is also one of the most honest and truthful one I have read.  Julie Metz leaves nothing unsaid and the story unfolds much like a mystery novel.  You can’t stop reading until you find out what happens next.  I am so glad that there is a happy ending for her.  Well, I guess I just ruined the ending for some of you.  To me that is what life is all about and making the best of a bad situation and learning from it are two of the best things about this book.

The story starts out typically enough, the author’s husband suddenly dies and she is left a young widow and must rebuild her perfect life.  Or what she thinks is perfect.  Julie doesn’t pay attention to those telling details about her husband’s trips to the West Coast and it is amazing that the clues of her husband’s infidelities don’t really register with her.  As she finally wade through her “perfect life” and regains her confidence, she becomes whole.  I know several women that this same thing has had happen to them, well, not the death part, but the slow dawning that something is just not right.

I also applaud her reaction to the “other” women as she searches them out to find the truth.  I don’t know if I could personally track down each and every one of them since I would probably want to remain in the dark, but there is a part of me that can see how this would bring closure.  I really love reading memoirs and this was our book club pick one month.  I didn’t get to participate that month, but I am glad I had a chance to finally read this one. 

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

Contest is open to anyone with a US mailing address (no PO Boxes)
Contest ends on 11.17.10 and Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 11.18.10
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by Voice and 1 book will be available.
Only one winner per household address!

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  2. I was thrilled to see that you were offering Perfection in a giveaway! I have wanted to read this book for quite a while now but I haven’t had the reading time to sit down and savor it. It’s almost at the top of my tbr list and I was planning to set aside time during the holidays to read it!

    I’m glad to read that you really enjoyed it!

    Thank you for this giveaway!
    ~ Amy
    Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

  25. I would really love to win this one. I live in Canada but have a friend in the US that would receive the book for me, and then mail it to me! (we have done this before!) .

    Thanks for the entries!

    lusravesandrants AT gmail DOT com

  40. bkhabel

    An email has been sent to the lucky people named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam). They have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

    Thanks to all who entered.