Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad cover

Between Two Kingdoms

A Memoir of a Life Interrupted

by Suleika Jaouad

4.7(13,104 ratings)
12 min read

Brief overview

This book chronicles a young woman’s abrupt plunge into an unexpected health crisis, her raw fight for survival, and her daunting return to everyday life. It offers a deeply personal look at resilience, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace life after confronting mortality. Through vivid storytelling, it illustrates how hardship can spark transformation and guide us back to what truly matters.

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Introduction

Imagine being in your early twenties, eyes set on career and adventure, then hearing news that halts every dream. In this opening, the writer sits at the threshold of adulthood, thrilled by future possibilities, yet plagued by subtle physical signs she can’t explain. Her world is about to change completely.

At first, the warning signals—fatigue, mysterious itches, odd infections—seem easy to dismiss. But denial gives way to alarm when the symptoms intensify. A once flourishing life quickly converges on medical tests and disorienting clinic visits. In the midst of it all, there’s a potent fear: maybe it’s just anxiety, or maybe it’s something far more ominous.

From this first glimpse, you sense that the writer’s greatest challenge isn’t just the illness but the mental maze of not knowing what’s happening. She feels simultaneously invincible and profoundly fragile. Each page turns with the question: How does one endure what’s coming next?

The Shattering Diagnosis

When the shock of a life-threatening condition finally lands, it seems unreal. One minute she’s finalizing job applications and traveling abroad; the next she’s confined to a hospital room, confronted with confusing statistics and invasive procedures. Everyone else her age is anxious about new careers or traveling, but her reality now involves charts, IV lines, and dread.

The writer reveals that being diagnosed is like being cast into a different kingdom entirely, a place ruled by medications, appointments, and frightening unknowns. Friends and family promise unwavering support, but the deeper truth is that she must learn to face the trajectory of her illness in deeply personal ways.

She also realizes how the normal language of small talk fractures. People don’t know what to say or do. In this place, she yearns for honesty and genuine presence. Little does she know, the journey ahead will challenge her identity, her relationships, and the sense of security she once took for granted.

Resilience doesn’t mean you never break—it means you keep going, even in pieces.

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What is Between Two Kingdoms about?

Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad is a personal memoir about facing leukemia in her early twenties and the profound journey that followed. She documents her transition from a robust college graduate to a patient fighting for her life, guiding readers through the raw realities of diagnosis, treatment, and unexpected personal revelations. This book offers a rare blend of unflinching honesty and cautious hope, showing that confronting mortality can trigger deeper self-awareness.

Through clear and vivid storytelling, Jaouad takes you beyond the hospital walls, exploring how emotional recovery can often linger long after physical healing. Readers witness her struggle to reconnect with relationships, career dreams, and ordinary moments that once felt routine. The result is a narrative of resilience that illuminates the narrow boundary between being well and unwell, reminding us that new life chapters can emerge from our darkest hours.

Review of Between Two Kingdoms

A standout element of Between Two Kingdoms is its honest depiction of how a sudden health crisis shakes every foundation. Jaouad’s candid reflections show why vulnerability is key to forging deeper connections and how actively embracing help can ease the path back to everyday life. Her story also demonstrates that meaningful second chances often emerge from reevaluating priorities and leaning on supportive communities. This openhearted approach invites readers to reflect on their own sources of strength.

The writing style is direct yet compassionate, allowing wide accessibility for people from varied backgrounds. While it resonates with anyone seeking genuine insight into adversity, it is especially relevant to those who work in or rely on healthcare systems. Ultimately, this memoir comes highly recommended for readers looking for a balanced blend of reality and optimism, leaving you feeling both inspired and better prepared for life’s hardest turns.

Who should read Between Two Kingdoms?

  • Individuals facing or recovering from major illness seeking honest guidance
  • Caregivers and loved ones aiming to understand the emotional side of treatment
  • Healthcare professionals interested in patient-centered perspectives on resilience
  • Readers who appreciate memoirs blending candid storytelling with genuine hope

About the author

Suleika Jaouad is an American writer, advocate, and motivational speaker. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir "Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted." Jaouad holds a degree from Princeton University and has written for various publications including The New York Times, Vogue, and NPR. Her work includes the Emmy Award-winning column "Life, Interrupted" and she is also the founder of the Isolation Journals, a global project fostering creativity and community during challenging times.

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