“Between Two Kingdoms” by Suleika Jaouad

The name Suleika Jaouad may ring a bell. At the young age of 23, Jaouad was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and given a 35% chance of survival. She faced years of intense chemotherapy and a grueling bone marrow transplant, and in the midst of all of this, started writing a column in the New York Times called “Life, Interrupted.” Her writing and the accompanying videos went on to win an Emmy and resonated with thousands of readers.  

Fast forward 10 years: It spoils nothing to reveal that Jaouad did survive the cancer in her 20s, and now has written a book revealing a more in-depth look at what that experience was like for her. “Between Two Kingdoms” offers an intimate view into what it means to come face to face with your mortality at such a young age, the nitty-gritty truth of just how debilitating cancer treatment can be, and the emotional toll of having your life halted just when it was getting started. Jaouad, a lifelong diarist, spares no detail and invites the reader fully into her experience. She bravely reflects, with the vision of hindsight, how her fear and isolation led her to place unreasonable demands on her loved ones and the ways her relationships suffered. Jaouad’s honesty, humor, and humanness shine through her words, and offer invaluable insight for anyone who has ever had cancer, cared for anyone with cancer, or interacted with anyone who has cancer.

When you survive something that was thought to be unsurvivable, the obvious is gained. You have your life—you have time. But it’s only when you get there that you realize your survival has come at a cost. – Suleika Jaouad, “Between Two Kingdoms”

The book would be worthwhile even if it stopped there, but instead Jaouad goes on to offer an authentic look at the difficulties of transitioning back into the world of the living after her years of treatment were successful. Jaouad shatters the misconception that cancer survivors in remission will now live enlightened, joyous lives, wisely grateful for each moment. Instead, Jaouad reveals the post-traumatic stress and grief that plagued her. After watching friends she made on the cancer wards die one by one, having her romantic partnership go up in flames, and feeling a broken relationship with her own fragile body, Jaouad is left reeling and in pain. She and her beloved dog embark on a long road trip to connect with various readers who had appreciated her Life, Interrupted column. Her journey, both physical and mental, composes the second half of the book.

The author Suleika Jaouad today
Credit: Beowulf Sheehan Photography

Jaouad’s writing is a gift: poignant and insightful, yet never maudlin or sentimental. “Between Two Kingdoms” is extremely readable and impossible to put down. It’s hard to imagine who wouldn’t enjoy or benefit from reading this book, as it is well-written and engaging throughout. Jaouad offers insights applicable to any serious illness, caregiving situation, or sense of being lost after surviving the unsurvivable. Her honesty and self-examination is refreshing.