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

A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • 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

A PARADE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

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
Family Life Genre Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt Witty Funny Inspiring Tearjerking
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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?
Heartfelt Storytelling • Emotional Impact • Brilliant Narration • Honest Portrayal • Relatable Experiences
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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.

Cancer is Hard

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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.

Short but sweet

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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.

This is Bravery

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I have been a fan of Sophie Kinsella and almost devour her books. This one came on the heels of me feeling a need to read the second part of “I’ve Got Your Number”. I was searching if she is planning to write a sequel to this beloved book when I came across her announcement regarding her health. Of course, as soon as this book released, I pounced on it, hungry for more information. And this time it completely and truly broke my heart. I hope the happy ending continues..

So good that it breaks your heart

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

Shock

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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.

Love Sophie Kinsella…

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Poignant personal account of her journey. One of my favorite authors… I was sobbing at the authors note…. Cancer really sucks. I said a prayer for all affected.

Not her usual

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Loved the happy ending, I cried and laughed. It gives the reader a roller coaster of a read.

The love of family

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I loved the humor and honesty. Shocked at the ending. Would highly recommend to all

The Ending

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I've helped my parents battle cancer 3 times. One survived and one didn't. This book is the most real depiction of what it feels like to go through that situation that I've read. I commend Ms. Kinsella for her strength and bravery in sharing her story and wish her many years of Normal Plus happiness.

So honest and relatable

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