Deborah Copaken's memoir of her journey through multiple health crises, separation and divorce, the loss of a dear friend and mentor, and the ups and downs of the freelance journalist's life does not make for light reading, but it is an important book. What happened to her could happen to any of us, who do not have her connections or resources, though many of those proved to be untrustworthy, as the book reveals.
The writer is an accomplished writer and photographer who has published several other books, contributed to The Atlantic, the New Yorker, and the New York Times (along with many other notable publications), worked on TV projects and more.
As a woman nearing 60, she has experienced sexism and ageism in a very public way, unlike most of us who fight against those same issues nearly anonymously. While her experiences of them have made the news because of her profession, they are also magnified due to that very status. The irony is that her reputation has made her a target for many high-powered men (and a few women).
Copaken chronicles how she struggled with her health issues, often losing her health insurance due to job losses, with the accompanying highly stressful financial pressures, and personal betrayals and disappointments inflicted by supposed friends and former colleagues who were anything but kind and helpful.
Despite it all, she has achieved many successes, and, at least as of the publishing of this book, is now in a supportive and loving relationship. When I finished reading the book, I breathed a sigh of relief on her behalf.
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