After the Fire: A Memoir in Poetry and Prose

by J. A. Jance Narrated by J. A. Jance

Overview

New York Times bestselling author J. A. Jance's heartrending collection of poetry and essays recounts a dark chapter of her own life, her first marriage to an alcoholic-a powerful look at the emotional cost of addiction and an inspiring story of courage and triumph in the wake of crushing defeat

Before she found fame as a bestselling mystery author, Judith Jance wrestled with the anguish of being married to an alcoholic. For years she channeled her pain into words, composing the poems in this moving volume, first published in 1984, a year before her debut novel.

In searing and direct language, After the Fire chronicles the collapse of Jance's first marriage under the weight of her husband's addiction-and her own unwitting denial and codependence while she struggled to find herself. "I will not be the price of your redemption," she wrote then. "I will not pay my life to ransom yours."

An intimate, deeply personal look into a wrenching time in Jance's life, After the Fire is a portrait of addiction and its insidious effects on lives and love. It illuminates universal truths about unbearable loss and finding the courage to carry on, and offers inspiration and profound insight into the heart and work of a beloved bestselling author.

Editorial Reviews

"Accompanied by Jance's thoughtful and heartfelt narration, this edition of After the Fire becomes a testimonial to emotional survival and offers quiet but powerful encouragement to others who might find themselves in similar situations." —The Bookmonger"Showcases a spirit who has endured failure, tasted success, and accumulated an enviable store of wisdom in the process." —Seattle Times"Fans will love it. It’s a nice insight into the workings of a creative mind." —Arizona Daily Star

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170153725
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	09/10/2013
Edition description:	Unabridged

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