A Heart That Works - Rob Delaney

A Heart That Works

By Rob Delaney

  • Release Date: 2022-11-29
  • Genre: Family & Relationships
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 160 Ratings
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Description

New York Times Bestseller * New Yorker Best Books of 2022 * Entertainment Weekly Best Books of 2022 * USA Today Best Books of 2022 * Time 100 Must-Read Books of 2022 * Mother Jones Books We Needed in 2022 * People Fall Must Read * 2022 BuzzFeed Fall Reading Pick * New York Post Best Books of 2022 * New York Times Editors’ Choice   

This is the story of what happens when you lose a child, and everything you discover about life in the process, by the star of the Amazon Prime series Catastrophe.  

In 2018, Rob Delaney’s two-year-old son, Henry, died of a brain tumor. A Heart That Works is Delaney’s intimate, unflinching, and at times fiercely funny exploration of Henry’s beautiful, bright life and the devastation of his loss—from the harrowing illness to the vivid, bodily impact of grief and the blind, furious rage that followed through to the forceful, unstoppable love that remains. In the madness of his grief, Delaney grapples with the fragile miracle of life, the mysteries of death, and the question of purpose for those left behind.   

Profound, painful, full of emotion, and bracingly honest, Delaney’s memoir offers solace to those who have faced devastation and shows us how grace may appear even in the darkest times.  

Reviews

  • Funny, deeply moving, a must read for all parents, really

    5
    By lady schwirtz
    As a mom, I was almost afraid to read this book, that it would just be too sad. But Rob’s humor and honesty… it just made me grateful to know what love for your child feels like, I felt strengthened to deal with whatever terrible things could happen to me and my little family - we don’t consider death and tragedy and process it openly enough. But it’s healthy to regard it regularly and know we aren’t alone in our shared vulnerability.

  • A Heart That Works

    5
    By Lynlouise
    This so touched my heart and helped me understand more how my loved ones are currently feeling and have felt during their family experiences of death, in the family!

  • Relatable, devastating and hilarious

    5
    By mamatiff82
    Heartbreaking and funny and relatable for parents, who have, like Rob, sat in the hospital and received the most devastating news about their beloved child. I read through this book quickly at times, and other times slowly, as if I were sitting with a friend who was so relatable, and so fully human, even in the midst and aftermath of an unimaginable grief and loss. Rob Delaney, thank you. I will never forget your little Henry.

  • Tragic in the best way

    5
    By haporrello
    My heart broke into pieces reading this book. His pain was real and raw and yet his humor was just as real and appropriate. It was a quick read, minus the times I had to stop because my eyes were clouded with tears. I hope he found some healing/ comfort in writing it. If you like tragic memoirs, definitely pick this one up!

  • Absolutely beautiful. Absolutely devastating.

    5
    By 1clever_girl
    over the floor, and then clobber them — and then sort you out and stitch you back together. It is devastatingly beautiful. It will wreck you. It will help you heal. It will show you the grace and joy and closeness that can be found during loss and death. What a gift Rob has shared by releasing this book and narrating it.

  • Wow

    5
    By Maddietwin
    Just wow. I read in 3.5 hours and cried for a good 3 of them.

  • I wish it wasn’t over

    5
    By schoenbergersm
    Henry sounds awesome.

  • So irreplaceably validating

    5
    By perfect_squircle
    I lost my toddler son, too. Reading this has been such a welcome release and I am deeply grateful for having read it. Thank you, Rob.

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