Rebecca's Reviews > Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days

(DNF @ 12%) Woods’s little sister Adrienne was more like a daughter to her; due to their mother’s issues, she had custody of her 13-years-younger sibling. So when Adrienne went to the hospital with severe pain in May 2001 and was promptly diagnosed with liver cancer, it hit her hard. “Before Adrienne got sick, I believed in karma. Now, I believe in nothing.” I read a ton of illness and bereavement memoirs. This one didn’t pull me in, despite strong recreated dialogue and an extraordinary memory for events. I think it’s a combination of it being far too long and detailed, and feeling dated. Why did it take 18 years to tell this story? Others who are willing to stay the course may find inspiration in Adrienne’s last half-year of life and Andrea’s advocacy work afterwards.