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My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me: A Memoir Kindle Edition

by Jason Rosenthal (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 561 ratings
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An inspiring memoir of life, love, loss, and new beginnings by the widower of bestselling children’s author and filmmaker Amy Krouse Rosenthal, whose last of act of love before her death was setting the stage for her husband’s life without her in the viral New York Times Modern Love column, “You May Want to Marry My Husband.”

On March 3, 2017, Amy Krouse Rosenthal penned an op-ed piece for the New York Times’ “Modern Love” column —”You May Want to Marry My Husband.” It appeared ten days before her death from ovarian cancer. A heartbreaking, wry, brutally honest, and creative play on a personal ad—in which a dying wife encouraged her husband to go on and find happiness after her demise—the column quickly went viral, reaching more than five million people worldwide.

In My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me, Jason describes what came next: his commitment to respecting Amy’s wish, even as he struggled with her loss. Surveying his life before, with, and after Amy, Jason ruminates on love, the pain of watching a loved one suffer, and what it means to heal—how he and their three children, despite their profound sorrow, went on. Jason’s emotional journey offers insights on dying and death and the excruciating pain of losing a soulmate, and illuminates the lessons he learned.

As he reflects on Amy’s gift to him—a fresh start to fill his empty space with a new story—Jason describes how he continues to honor Amy’s life and her last wish, and how he seeks to appreciate every day and live in the moment while trying to help others coping with loss. My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me is the poignant, unreserved, and inspiring story of a great love, the aftermath of a marriage ended too soon, and how a surviving partner eventually found a new perspective on life’s joys in the wake of tremendous loss.

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  1. Print length
    239 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Harper
  5. Publication date
    April 21, 2020
  6. File size
    15556 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“An essay gone viral leads to this memoir about deep loss and navigating profound grief…filled with advice and support for anyone else going through similar circumstances.” -- Kirkus Reviews

“I feel very lucky to have known Amy since high school and watched admiringly as she built a family and a body of work that will outlast us all. Her partner through it all, Jason B. Rosenthal, is a man of honor and great sensitivity, and their lives together tell us how to live and how to say goodbye. This book is everything Jason is—warm, approachable, inquisitive, and relentlessly honest.” -- Dave Eggers, bestselling author of Heroes of the Frontier and The Captain and the Glory

“It's about love, loss, and family — and it's guaranteed to make you cry.”  -- Buzzfeed

“Jason’s profoundly personal book is about loss and what comes after, but it is, at its core, also the story of two soul mates and a love that lives forever.” -- Katie Couric, journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and cancer advocate

“Jason B. Rosenthal’s brilliant and achingly honest memoir captures the true boundlessness of love and the absolute heartbreak of loss. I smiled and cried the whole way through this extraordinary reading experience, convinced more than ever that, as Jason writes, ‘people are good.’” -- John Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars

"The book is a 228-page love declaration to Amy." -- Washington Post

“Rosenthal’s gut-wrenching, honest, and uplifting memoir offers reassurance and connection to readers experiencing their own losses.”  -- Booklist

“Rosenthal’s grief journey is expressed with candor, humor, and gratitude…recommended for readers either experiencing grief or wanting to understand how to support someone experiencing loss.”  -- Library Journal

About the Author

Jason B. Rosenthal is the number one New York Times bestselling author of Dear Boy, cowritten with his daughter, Paris. He is the board chair of the Amy Krouse Rosenthal Foundation, which supports both childhood literacy and research in early detection of ovarian cancer. A lawyer, public speaker, and devoted father of three, he is passionate about helping others find ways to fill their blank spaces as he continues to fill his own. Jason resides in Chicago, a city he is proud to call home.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07QLDQKT6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper (April 21, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 21, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 15556 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 239 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 561 ratings

About the author

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Jason Rosenthal

Jason Rosenthal

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JASON B. ROSENTHAL is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Boy, co-written with his daughter, Paris. He is also the author of My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me, a memoir published on April 21, 2020. He is the board chair of the Amy Krouse Rosenthal Foundation, which supports childhood literacy and research in early detection of ovarian cancer. A lawyer, public speaker, and devoted father of three, he is passionate about helping others find ways to fill their blank space as he continues to fill his own. (He lives in Chicago.) Jason resides in Chicago or Jason resides in Chicago, a city he is proud to call home.

-

@jasonbrosenthal

amykrouserosenthalfoundation.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
561 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Elizabeth/Betsy
5.0 out of 5 stars A TRUE STORY OF MARRIAGE THAT PROVES LOVE LASTS FOREVER
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2020
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This book sounded like it might be, as we used to say, a real bummer. About what happens to the the author and his cherished wife, when, at the precise moment they begin to enjoy and explore their now-empty nest, tragedy strikes. Soon apparent that death will separate them, this otherwise-terrifying reality causes the author’s dying wife to put all her prodigious energies, focus, unique and warm writer’s voice - and love for her husband - into the creation of her final, and possibly most important, work yet: in the form of a column for the New York Times, amounting to a sort of “open letter” to any and all potential future partners for her husband. He knew nothing about this article until the day it appeared in the TIMES, which happened to be his wife’s last week of life. Concerned that after she dies, her husband could end up alone, and knowing too well that life is precious and mean to be fully lived, author’s wife titled the article fittingly: “YOU MAY WANT TO MARRY MY HUSBAND.” It’s definitely a touching story, and a meaningful one, and besides being the chronicle of a great love story, the book has also become a near-manual for human beings facing deep and profound loss, a “how will I live through this?” question answered quite movingly. Highly recommend!
6 people found this helpful
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David Waters
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a Tear Factory
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2020
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The book is well crafted. The author acknowledges each person along his journey of loss/grief admiringly. Baring his soul, making himself vulnerable is both courageous and admirable. It's where growth occurs.
Having experienced loss myself, as we all do there were many aspects that resonated with me. Some of it was rather redundant but it was as though you could hear the authors voice, as though he were talking directly to you. Likely why I like memoirs. They appear to have been amazing people with a tight family.
The only thing missing is stating the fact that writing is one of the most therapeutic ways to deal with grief/loss or any trauma. You're finally able to get that tape in your mind off of replay and put a period at the end of a sentence/thought and move on.
I loved this book from beginning to end.
8 people found this helpful
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Kelly
4.0 out of 5 stars This book in 3 emojis: 🥰🛫📝
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2020
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I really enjoyed this book I am still debating on this this should be a 4 or 5 star read. This was a very touching memoir. Not many books capture me in the first chapter like this one did. My bookclub selected this for our read this month and I have to admit I was hesitant. The last thing I need to read right now is a sad book. I have so glad I read this one though. Their love story was so beautiful. His honesty was so brave and so intimate. I loved his advice for those who was to support loved ones. To some he may have seemed blunt but I appreciated that. As I am reflecting on this book it just hit me. My son got some book mail today from my cousin which has one of Amy’s (his late wife) books in it. I am slightly freaking out now! Do you think its coincidence or something more 🥰😂

Synopsis: An inspiring memoir of life, love, loss, and new beginnings by the widower of bestselling children’s author and filmmaker Amy Krouse Rosenthal, whose last of act of love before her death was setting the stage for her husband’s life without her in the viral New York Times Modern Love column, “You May Want to Marry My Husband.”
4 people found this helpful
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JudiZ
5.0 out of 5 stars Sad, Beautiful and A Celebration of Love
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2021
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Some of us truly do have fairy tale marriages. Like the author and his wife, my husband and I are committed to each other and, yes, still "in love" after 43 years. Love happens and I was moved by what each of these partners wrote. A love like theirs should be celebrated. While it ended sadly, that which they had was beautiful and deserves to be memorialized. Sad indeed but worth the read.
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Eleanor Wells
3.0 out of 5 stars A sweet love letter to his wife but...
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2021
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First, Jason Rosenthal definitely is a writer. He details instances beautifully and his story held me in well-written prose but it was a love letter, not a memoir. The perfection of everyone with whom he comes in contact including his wife, his children, his extended family, caregivers, etc. doesn't ring very true. There wasn't even ONE moment when Jason, Amy or anyone close to her became angry, depressed, self-pitying?? Jason set a standard that is hard to identify with. A memoir would be honest; a love letter would want to gloss over tough details. Also, Amy's letter to NYT and Jason's response were loving and generous but it may be time to give this story a rest. I had the uncomfortable feeling that Jason has fashioned a career out of Amy's letter. It sounds like he has met someone else. I hope he can move on and adopt "Plan Be," that will allow him to treasure a new life with someone else.
4 people found this helpful
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Arlene Handler
5.0 out of 5 stars What a beautiful story!
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2020
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I knew Amy. She and my son graduated from high school together and she even wrote a chapter about him in one of her books. She and her entire family were and still are wonderful people. When I gave to the foundation after her untimely death, her sister, Beth, actually called me. Also, my beloved sister-in-law, Harriet, died of ovarian cancer years ago - when nobody talked about it. It was so special to read about Amy’s beautiful life and death.
13 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer.
5.0 out of 5 stars A guide on living & dieing
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2020
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This book is spot on about loss & living. Death can be very ugly but those of us that have the privilege of being with someone as they draw their last breath, smile at us for the last time, it can also be a beautiful release. JBR documented this journey so well that, at times, it felt as though I could see the experience. I certainly felt the joy & the pain.
2 people found this helpful
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Nancy Spool
4.0 out of 5 stars Book sleeve damaged and inside out?!
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020
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No complaints about the actual writing, but the book came in an unacceptable condition. Not only was the sleeve torn and bent, but it was placed on the book inside out. I have never seen anything like it. Not returning because I have been waiting awhile to read this, but it’s a terrible way to receive a book.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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John Ashley
5.0 out of 5 stars Great service
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2022
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Superb book. Great service
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Deni
5.0 out of 5 stars A mi hermana le encantó
Reviewed in Mexico on August 3, 2020
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Era par ami hermana y le ecantó el libro
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Glenda
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing
Reviewed in Canada on May 12, 2020
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This book had me from the first line. There were many times I had to stop reading as I could not see through my tears. What a beautiful life you had. This book will change how I live my life. I too am lucky to have a love like this. I don’t know how I would ever endure such a loss. Simply the most beautiful book I have ever read.
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Jeffrey oliver Jue Oliver
3.0 out of 5 stars It’s a slow sad read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2020
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Very slow, became too slow at points, but understood the authors reason for the book , very sad
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Stoic
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
Reviewed in Canada on December 19, 2020
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I read this book after hearing the author promoting his book on Sam Harris' "Making Sense" podcast. It was a very deep and meaningful read. I am so grateful that Jason has shared his story, not just of his loss and grief but of his wonderful relationship with his wife and others.
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