The Rules of Inheritance

by Claire Bidwell Smith

Blurb

A coming-of-age story that is both heartbreaking and exhilarating. In this astonishing debut, Claire Bidwell Smith, an only child, is just fourteen years old when both of her charismatic parents are diagnosed with cancer. What follows is a coming-of-age story that is both heartbreaking and exhilarating. As Claire hurtles towards loss she throws herself at anything she thinks might help her cope with the weight of this harsh reality: boys, alcohol, traveling, and the anonymity of cities like New York and Los Angeles. By the time she is twenty-five years old they are both gone and Claire is very much alone in the world. Claire's story is less of a tragic tale and more of a remarkable lesson on how to overcome some of life's greatest hardships. Written with suspense and style, and bursting with love and adventure, The Rules of Inheritance vividly captures the deep grief and surprising light of a young woman forging ahead on a journey of loss that humbled, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

Member Reviews Write your own review

Tessa

Tessa

I couldn't put it down. In "Rules of Inheritance" Claire Bidwell Smith takes us with her, on this long, dark journey of her past. After her parents where both diagnosed with cancer when she was only 14, the young girl looses herself. Trying to figure out who she is, how she can be and what she want's to do with her live, her mother dies when she is only 18. And than it get's worse. Sex, parties, alkohol, distraction, an unhealthy relationship. Claire tries it all. And the reader gets to see it all. Without mercy we get so see a helpless Claire struggle. She let us into her head and heart, show's us all the ugly details, discripes her dirrty mistakes in an honest, sometimes even cruel way. But still, there is hope. Knowing her father will die soon, too, they manage to build the best relationship they can, in this messed-up situation. When her father dies, she breaks down again, even harder. And after a long battle with herself, she comes out of it so much stronger. Such an intense read. Strong, cruel, dirty, direct, honest, sometimes even bitter and sometimes with a glimmer of hope.

0 Responses posted in November
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