What Does It Feel Like? Audiobook By Sophie Kinsella cover art

What Does It Feel Like?

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What Does It Feel Like?

By: Sophie Kinsella
Narrated by: Sally Phillips, Sophie Kinsella
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About this listen

From #1 bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, an unforgettable story—by turns heartbreaking and life-affirming—of a renowned novelist facing a devastating diagnosis and learning to live and love anew.

“The bravest book you’ll read all year.”—Jodi Picoult

“Only Sophie Kinsella can make you laugh like this while she’s got you crying.”—Taylor Jenkins Reid

What Does It Feel Like? is fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date. Eve’s story is my story.”—Sophie Kinsella

Eve is a successful novelist who wakes up one day in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. Her husband, never far from her side, explains that she has had an operation to remove the large, malignant tumor growing in her brain.

As Eve learns to walk, talk, and write again—and as she wrestles with her diagnosis, and how and when to explain it to her beloved children—she begins to recall what’s most important to her: long walks with her husband’s hand clasped firmly around her own, family game nights, and always buying that dress when she sees it.

Recounted in brief anecdotes, each one is an attempt to answer the type of impossible questions recognizable to anyone navigating the labyrinth of grief. This short, extraordinary novel is a celebration of life, shot through with warmth and humor—it will both break your heart and put it back together again.

“Why did I write such a personal book? I have always processed my life through writing. Hiding behind my fictional characters, I have always turned my own life into a narrative. It is my version of therapy, maybe. Writing is my happy place, and writing this book, although tough going at times, was immensely satisfying and therapeutic for me.”—Sophie Kinsella

©2024 Random House Group (P)2024 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

“Soul-stirring, funny, and beautiful. A must-read.”—Zibby Owens, Katie Couric Media

“I laughed. And I cried. And then I thought about the meaning of life. It’s a little jewel of a book.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Jojo Moyes

“Kinsella is a skillful storyteller. She doesn’t front-load the narrative with exposition, instead parceling out information organically. . . . Most resonant is this book’s bravery—and its emotional honesty.”The Wall Street Journal

Dear Listener,

What did I learn about myself while writing this story?
"When I was diagnosed with glioblastoma in November 2022, I didn’t think I would ever write again, work again, or maybe even walk again. Even though I was making notes soon after my surgery, I didn’t know how I could turn what had happened to me into a story. I tell stories— that’s my life— and it was only when I hit on fictionalizing my experience to tackle what it feels like to have been diagnosed that I managed to write this novel. Through writing, I’ve learned that I’m far more resilient than I ever thought I would be and that, even in sad and difficult circumstances, I will always laugh and share my sense of fun. Above all, I’ve learned more than ever how much I love my readers and listeners: you are a family to me, and I wish you all a very happy ending."– Sophie Kinsella, writer of What Does It Feel Like?

What listeners say about What Does It Feel Like?

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Love Sophie Kinsella…

I can only imagine how many people she’s helped by writing such a near-to-real-life novel. She beautifully shares the perspective of how a devastating illness impacts everyone from herself to her spouse and kids to the caregiver! Done with a heaping scoop of humor. Sophie Kinsella is one of a kind.

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This is Bravery

Not sure a review is even appropriate here, because this doesn't approach the usual book and judging the story seems unethical. God bless author Sophie Kinsella and her family.

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Cancer is Hard

I appreciated the story and the truth of the author's feelings ... even when she could not speak them out loud... she shared them with us in her writing.

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Short but sweet

I enjoyed listening to this book. It was a change from Jinsella's normal upbeat humor but it was nice and touching. I'm glad she shared her story with the world. Loved it.

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Shock

I love Sophie and all of her books. For her to share this was beautiful and terrifying. Praying for her.

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Perfect 💗

This book was excellent. It is a heartbreaking and joyful adventure all wrapped up into one. Only Sophie could shift Eve’s perspective while undergoing medical care. I loved this book. Thank you, Sophie, for writing it. Thank you!

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brave, quick read

Sophie did a great job with this short but brave book. This book is really relatable, sad, and made me think hard about what matters most.

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Thank you...for Everything!

I honestly can think of anything to say...just thank you your you..and every book you have written!

I pray for the very best for you and your family!!

Much love! ❤️

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Incredibly Heartfelt

This book popped up on my Audible and I looked it up and immediately got it. All my best to Sophie Kinsella on your healing journey and defying the odds.

The genuineness of the story hit me with such a profound connection to someone else who really gets it. By sheer luck, meaning we were looking at other health issues, they found a 5 cm aneurysm on my heart I never knew I had. 3 weeks later I was being wheeled in for major heart surgery. The hardest thing was the thought of never seeing my kids again as the anesthesia took hold and it all went black. Those were the hardest 3 weeks wondering every minute if my heart would rupture then seeing my husband and hugging my kids fiercely I had to let go.

Eve/Sophie’s story is a true testament of how debilitating the recovery can be. I can’t imagine getting that prognosis. Thank you for the incredible insight to your journey and again thoughts & prayers for continued healing.

Narration was brilliant!

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Fictionally True

A truly fictionally tale of love, survival, and memory failure all turning into happiness. Things a great selection to help one appreciate life.

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