I didn’t know what this book was about. I thought it was about giving yourself a second chance at life. Halfway through the book, I still didn’t know what was waiting for me at the end. Everything made sense only when I reached the last line, in a way we hope that life will make sense at the end. 

This book was about a lot of things. But for me it was about a woman’s journey trying to understand herself throughout her whole adult life. It was about her family who sometimes made sense to her and sometimes didn’t. It was about love, a deep heart wrenching gut twisting kind of love, she was lucky to receive throughout her adult life. We spend so much of our lives trying to understand our parents, siblings & partners. Why they choose to stay together? Why did they have kids? Why does my partner love me? So many whys and buts and ifs. We spend our whole lifetime questioning ourselves and others. And in between it all we try to understand what life is. 

The story of Martha made me understand that it is possible to have a second go at life. And that means not just giving yourself a chance but others too. With time wounds can heal and relationships can mend. But only if we allow ourselves to do that. And only if we have the love, patience and kindness for ourselves and our loved ones. 

I do not have enough words to describe this book. It simultaneously ripped me apart but made me hopeful too.