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Nothing Is Promised
Although many Americans were touched by the tragedy of 9/11 or the deployment of loved ones to a far-away desert region or the crisis of breast cancer surgery and recovery - few dealt with all three at the same time. Even fewer were able to write about the experience in a voice that will help others with similar struggles. New York City native Marjorie Belson has captured the American spirit of recovery and redemption in her first novel by melding such a story in a brilliantly evocative tone while letting realism and her enduring spirit shine on center stage.
Marjorie Belson is a quintessential New Yorker. Born in New York City, she received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the City University of New York. As a single mother, she chose to teach early childhood education rather than work on Wall Street.Motivated by her experience, she started writing this book in 2004.
Marjorie Belson is a quintessential New Yorker. Born in New York City, she received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the City University of New York. As a single mother, she chose to teach early childhood education rather than work on Wall Street.Motivated by her experience, she started writing this book in 2004.
200 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2014
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445 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 7, 2014
Nothing is Promised is a riveting memoir written by a native New Yorker who is diagnosed with breast cancer the day after her son's wedding. While she recovers from a double mastectomy, 9/11 takes place and her only son enrolls in the military and is scheduled to be deployed to the Persian Gulf. Belson tells the tale so beautifully and with such humor that she had me laughing out loud and crying on an airplane I boarded for a business trip - a highly unusual reaction for me as I am a civil trial attorney who has been accused, on more than one occasion, of having no feelings whatsoever. I highly recommend this book.
January 31, 2015
Marjorie went through the one thing that is the biggest scare for me in my life....cancer, more specifically breast cancer. I found this a very easy to read book, that chronicles a very difficult, very personal time in the author's life which is also extremely frightening for me to even comprehend.
Not only does she have to somehow find the strength to overcome her fear and anger of having breast cancer, she also lived through 9/11, and then shortly afterwards, the deployment of her son.
I found Marjorie a very strong, uplifting woman, who I consider a role model especially since I have said my entire life that if I found out I had breast cancer I would kill myself before I would go through that! I now have changed my mind. It took the strength of this stranger sharing her story to reconsider my life long thought process.
By her writing this book I am sure she has not only brought some healing for herself, but for countless others, like myself, a great lesson learned and a great amount of soul searching.
I thank you Marjorie for sharing your story. I admire you!
Not only does she have to somehow find the strength to overcome her fear and anger of having breast cancer, she also lived through 9/11, and then shortly afterwards, the deployment of her son.
I found Marjorie a very strong, uplifting woman, who I consider a role model especially since I have said my entire life that if I found out I had breast cancer I would kill myself before I would go through that! I now have changed my mind. It took the strength of this stranger sharing her story to reconsider my life long thought process.
By her writing this book I am sure she has not only brought some healing for herself, but for countless others, like myself, a great lesson learned and a great amount of soul searching.
I thank you Marjorie for sharing your story. I admire you!
June 5, 2015
Nothing Is Promised is the true story of Marjorie E. Belson, a Kindy teacher, born and raised in New York City. The book follows the ups and downs in Marjorie's life as she battles with breast cancer. I won an autographed copy of Nothing Is Promised through Goodreads First Reads Giveaways and enjoyed reading it.
May 19, 2015
I was delighted to receive this book from Goodreads - with a handwritten dedication from the author. This book moved me beyond words. It is absolutely the most real and heartfelt I have ever read. I followed Marjorie in her journey - crying at some points and smiling in others - I learned a lot from this - and Marjorie was very gracious in her reply to my email thanking her. A truly inspirational book written by an amazing woman. Please read this book!
February 28, 2015
Nothing Is Promised
Set against the backdrop of New York City, "Nothing Is Promised" resonates with those who have not only faced personal challenges, but also with those who have faced personal challenges set against something larger than their own life defining moment.
For Marjorie, it was breast cancer, September11.2001, and her son, going off to war. A gifted writer,, Marjorie's words fly off the page, as she draws you quickly into her world of experiences, challenges, and mixed emotions. It is a must read for everyone, as life lessons to be learned.
An avid reader I do not award a five star rating lightly. Mel
February 26, 2015
Good perspective on what it is like to have your world come crashing down around you and not have any control over where or when or how it happens. I'm glad she didn't do into to much details of all the events that occurred during this time, just her thoughts and general feelings of helplessness at this time. One of the worst things a woman can hear is "breast cancer", yet she helps us to see that it is just one element in an individual's life and it can be dealt with. Nothing in life is promised.
March 19, 2015
This book has three things that I find wonderful. There's love. There's hope, and there is renewal. I read this book in two days because Marjorie's writing and her biography really captivated me. You discover that throughout the book she is witty and sharp, warm and loving and brave and fierce. She doesn't just fight cancer and the obstacles life places in front of her, she dances around them with grace and humility and humor--oh, and love. Not just her own love, but with the love of her friends and family as well. This book gets five stars because it deserves every one of them!
March 1, 2015
This book is powerful on so many levels. It is written in a voice that is humorous and thoughtful, and also so sharp and sassy. Marjorie takes these trying situations and circumstances that she is dealt and overcomes them all with caring and grace. For anyone with a loved one who has had to fight cancer, this book is for you. It is a powerful and moving read. Highly recommend it!
May 10, 2015
For having experienced some really tough and challenging years in her life, Marjorie Belson really knows how to tell a story that makes you smile, laugh, gush and even shed a tear. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. A MUST READ for EVERYONE!
January 28, 2020
It was a very quick and pleasant read. Nothing special.
February 6, 2015
I was aware when I started reading "Nothing Is Promised" that it was not a polished work written by an established writer.....so I read it uncritically, as I would the account of a friend.
Marjorie learned that she had breast cancer shortly after her son's wedding. She had to make some tough decisions and was afraid of what the future would bring. She did recover from a bilateral mastectomy only to face the challenge of 9/11 and her son's enlistment in the Coast Guard. Through all this she was supported by her faithful friends and especially her indomitable mother-in-law, Maxie. However I have to say I was a little shocked when, just after surgery, a friend asked, "What's your prognosis?" With friends like that, who needs enemies!
I am sorry that some of her experiences were so painful, such as the stereotactic biopsy. I had one of these in 2003. They took a dozen tissue samples as I lay totally still....my husband said they looked like pieces of gristle. The doctor was very nice and they gave me a little ice bag afterwards to ease any pain. It wasn't something I'd want to do again soon, but it wasn't too bad.
I want to thank Marjorie for sharing this frank memoir and I'm glad she did find light at the end of the tunnel.
And thank you to Goodreads First Reads for my free copy of this book.
Marjorie learned that she had breast cancer shortly after her son's wedding. She had to make some tough decisions and was afraid of what the future would bring. She did recover from a bilateral mastectomy only to face the challenge of 9/11 and her son's enlistment in the Coast Guard. Through all this she was supported by her faithful friends and especially her indomitable mother-in-law, Maxie. However I have to say I was a little shocked when, just after surgery, a friend asked, "What's your prognosis?" With friends like that, who needs enemies!
I am sorry that some of her experiences were so painful, such as the stereotactic biopsy. I had one of these in 2003. They took a dozen tissue samples as I lay totally still....my husband said they looked like pieces of gristle. The doctor was very nice and they gave me a little ice bag afterwards to ease any pain. It wasn't something I'd want to do again soon, but it wasn't too bad.
I want to thank Marjorie for sharing this frank memoir and I'm glad she did find light at the end of the tunnel.
And thank you to Goodreads First Reads for my free copy of this book.
April 3, 2016
Such a wonderful book. I cannot recommend it highly enough! I was not sure what I would think of it since it is so far outside the normal genres that I read and listen to. However, what this woman went through between her breast cancer, the attacks of 9/11 and then her son joining the Coast Guard with the possibility of being shipped off to the Persian Gulf is just amazing. Marjorie does a phenomenal job of telling her story giving just the right amount of details without being graphic or gory or making it sound as if the book is a plea for sympathy.
The narrator was first rate as well. The story never drags and the narrator keeps moving without being slow or too fast. Her voice was just right for this book. I felt as though I was listening to the author herself.
I received this audio book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The narrator was first rate as well. The story never drags and the narrator keeps moving without being slow or too fast. Her voice was just right for this book. I felt as though I was listening to the author herself.
I received this audio book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2015
Normally I'm not a big memoir reader, so I was skeptical going into Nothing is Promised. I was very pleasantly surprised by this story of strength and hope in the face of tragedy and adversity. Marjorie writes beautifully, and handles extremely difficult times in her life with humor and love and humility. I was moved on many occasions, and laughed out loud on many others. Marjorie, thank you for your words of healing and hope!
June 24, 2015
I won a copy of this through Goodread's first reads so firstly thanks.
This memoir will have you both laughing and crying, beautifully written by a native New Yorker, it chronicles the struggles the author faces after being being diagnosed with breast cancer and how she managed to face her fears. I don't tend to read memoirs but after reading this one I might give some more a go.
This memoir will have you both laughing and crying, beautifully written by a native New Yorker, it chronicles the struggles the author faces after being being diagnosed with breast cancer and how she managed to face her fears. I don't tend to read memoirs but after reading this one I might give some more a go.
November 12, 2015
very inspirational. A must read for anyone going through trying times. Proves that hope can exist through humor, and a good support system.
December 16, 2016
Very nice telling of woman diagnosed with breast cancer and the other challenges in her life and survival.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews