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  • Between Two Kingdoms

  • What Almost Dying Taught Me About Living
  • By: Suleika Jaouad
  • Narrated by: Suleika Jaouad
  • Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (117 ratings)

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Between Two Kingdoms

By: Suleika Jaouad
Narrated by: Suleika Jaouad
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

We all face moments that bring us to our knees: heartbreak, trauma, illness. When things don't go to plan this is the book to reach for - an inspirational memoir about what the struggle to survive teaches us about how to live.

At just 22, on the cusp of adult life, Suleika Jaouad was diagnosed with leukaemia and given a 35 per cent chance of survival. For the next five years, her world comprised four white walls, a hospital bed, fluorescent lights, tubes and wires. She became patient 5624. At 27, and celebrating her first year of remission, Suleika realised that, having survived, she now had no idea how to live. And so she set out to meet some of the many strangers who had written to her about their experiences of life, death, healing and recovery in response to her Emmy-Award winning New York Times column, 'Life Interrupted'. Between Two Kingdoms is the result. Drawing on Suleika's TED Talk, now with 2.8 million views, it illuminates universal questions about how we live, mourn, heal and grow up, and what it means to begin again.

©2021 Suleika Jaouad (P)2021 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

"'A propulsive, soulful story of mourning and gratitude - and an intimate portrait of one woman's sojourn in the wilderness between life and death." (Tara Westover, author of Educated)

"A deeply touching account of learning to live in the now, because nothing else is promised. I loved it." (Kathryn Mannix, author of With the End in Mind)

"Changing the conversation about what it means to thrive in the wake of illness and life's unexpected interruptions." (TED)

What listeners say about Between Two Kingdoms

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A beautiful and honest account of the realities of life

It was a captivating and heart warming account read beautifully by the author - what an amazing story of survival, creativity and how to appreciate all aspects of life, even suffering.

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Excellent

Suleika is a gifted writer and memoirist. This was an emotional and inspiring read.

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Brutally honest, thought provoking writing

Suleika offers a brutally honest insight into her lived experience after being diagnosed with leukaemia. Her writing offers an insight into the complex emotions, relationships, hope and loss she experiences after diagnosis. A well written, thought provoking read that has kept me thinking and reflecting.

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A pleasure to listen

I found myself finding excuses to walk to the shops so that I could continue listening.
So honest and so unlike any illness memoir I've read

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must read for all

I have just finished this book and want to thank Suleika for sharing her story in such authentic way. The author really has talent with words. Despite the hardships described, it still feels like a light reading. Its inspirational and heart warming.

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Carpe diem

This story is very bittersweet and moving, contrasting the stark reality of a terminal diagnosis (and at such a young age) with the inspirational courage and determination to make life count. It is a very vivid reminder of our own mortality and the fragility of life, as is usually overlooked by those of us dealt a more fortunate hand.

Having immersed myself in this book the past few days, I feel as though I have been along this harrowing journey with Suleika, and I walk away with a newfound mentality that we should make the most of the short and precious time we all have on Earth.

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A beautiful book, read beautifully by its author

A superb story, honest, open and well written. Truly admire the author for her candid accounts

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Stunning and profound

One of the most beautifully written books I have read. Shared with such honesty, it really makes you appreciate life from a new perspective. Thank you x

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Authentic and compelling

Not one to pick memoirs, let alone about a cancer journey but this story really gripped me. Suleika has a fine reading voice and an amazing talent of grasping life’s truths in compelling one liners. This book really hit home with me.

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rollercoaster

fantastic book, like rubber necking at a car crash, you can't look away but with a book you can't put down

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