Our Short History A Novel [Paperback]

Lauren Grodstein breaks your heart, then miraculously pieces it back together so its biggerand strongerthan before.? Celeste Ng, author of Everything I Never Told You

How can a woman learn?to let go of the people?she loves the most??
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Karen Neulander, a successful New York political consultant and single mother, has always been fiercely protective of her son, Jacob, now six. Shes had to be: when Jacobs father, Dave, found out Karen was pregnant and made it clear that fatherhood wasnt in his plans, Karen walked out of the relationship, never telling Dave her intention was to raise their child alone.

But now Jake is asking to meet his dad, and with good reason: Karen is dying. When she finally calls her ex, shes shocked to find Dave ecstatic about the son he never knew he had. First, he cant meet Jake fast enough, and then he cant seem to leave him alone. Karen quickly grows anxious as she watches Dave insinuate himself into Jakes life just as her own strength and hold on Jake grow more tenuous.

As she struggles to play out her last days?in the right way for Jake, Karen wrestles?with the knowledge that the only thing she cannot bring herself to do for her sonlet his father become a permanent part of?his lifeis the thing he needs from her the most. With heart-wrenching poignancy, unexpected wit, and mordant humor, Lauren?Grodstein has created an unforgettable story about parenthood, sacrifice, and life itself.
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