Problem: Navigating Life After a Life-Changing Diagnosis
Between Two Kingdoms: A serious illness can disrupt everything you know about your life.
It isolates you from your peers, shifts your priorities, and leaves you questioning your identity.
For many, the challenge isn’t just enduring treatment—it’s figuring out how to live once the treatment ends.
The transition from being a patient back to “normal life” is rarely discussed, and this silence can make the process feel even lonelier.
Solution: A Raw and Hopeful Exploration of Healing
Suleika Jaouad’s Between Two Kingdoms takes readers on an intimate journey through her diagnosis of leukemia, treatment, and survival.
It’s not just a memoir—it’s a roadmap for finding meaning after life as you knew it is interrupted.
Jaouad writes with unflinching honesty about her experiences.
She captures the emotional and physical challenges of living with cancer while shining a light on the overlooked phase of recovery.
The book’s title refers to the “two kingdoms” of illness and wellness, highlighting the liminal space where many survivors find themselves.
One of the book’s strengths is its exploration of the universal themes of grief, resilience, and rediscovery.
Jaouad emphasizes the importance of creating a new identity after illness, one that honors the past but embraces the present.
Her road trip across the United States—a journey to reconnect with herself and others—provides a metaphor for healing that feels both personal and universal.
Why It Works
Jaouad’s vulnerability makes the book relatable, even for readers who haven’t faced a life-threatening illness.
Her story offers hope without sugarcoating the complexities of healing.
It’s a reminder that recovery is a process, not a destination, and that it’s okay to ask for help along the way.
Final Thoughts
Between Two Kingdoms is an essential read for anyone grappling with a major life transition.
It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a guide for finding your way back to yourself.