Breath Taking

A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

De: Jessica Fein

Narrado por: Megan Persichetti

"A master class in how to be a person." --Joanna Rakoff, bestselling author of My Salinger Year

"Astonishing...one of the most moving memoirs I've read." --Caroline Leavitt, best-selling author of With or Without You and the forthcoming Days of Wonder.

At the age of five Jessica Fein’s daughter Dalia was diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease that would claim her life at 17. Before that moment came, and inspired by Dalia’s own insuppressible zest for life, Fein and her family would discover how to live in the present when the future can’t be fixed. In this heartfelt yet clear-eyed memoir, Fein maps both her journey to becoming an adoptive mom and the roller coaster ride of loving and caring for a terminally ill child, persevering when the simple act of taking a breath can become an act of courage. Through it all, she discovers the need to be both relentless advocate and calm presence, to show vulnerability as well as strength, and to allow joy to be louder than sorrow.

"More than an honest and humorous memoir, Breath Taking can be the guide star so many seek when life hands them more than they ever imagined they could endure." --Daniel DeFabio, rare disease filmmaker and Co-founder of The Disorder Channel

“A story of relentless heartbreak met with wit, strength, and resilience.” –Jennifer Weisel Bailey, ELLE Magazine

©2024 Jessica Fein (P)2024 Behrman House

Reseñas de la Crítica

"This story truly matters and people need to hear it. Breath Taking is a remarkable celebration of resilience, and a true testament to strength, love, and survival. It shows us that there's always a path forward even when it's too dark to see. You'll probably laugh and cry, and you'll for sure be inspired." --Victoria Arlen, TV host and Paralympic gold medalist

“A story of relentless heartbreak met with wit, strength, and resilience, Jessica Fein’s memoir reminds us that optimism, perseverance, and ultimately acceptance are the keystones to surviving life’s curveballs. When the choices are curling up in the fetal position or facing adversity head-on, Fein has chosen the latter in spades. Her story is the perfect illustration of how we control nothing in life but our actions and attitude.” --Jennifer Weisel Bailey, Entertainment Director, ELLE Magazine

"A moving, honest, and emotionally powerful story of family dedication, pain, and love. This is a book that is both wrenching and inspiring, all at once." --Tova Miris, author of The Book of Separation

A story of grief and beauty

This memoir of love and grief is relatable even if you dont share Jessica's circumstances. This is a human story. I fell in love with Dahlia and Jessica and her father and her family. Honoring her daughter with stories that capture the unshakeable joy and spark of this sweet life loving spirit with a rare genetic condition, Jessica tells a very human story that illuminates how capable we all are of ultimately holding what we previously would have deemed unholdable. I learned so much from Dahlia about appreciating the sweetness of life and the preciousness of the present moment. I adored this story of moving through so much loss and grief and continuing to show up in whatever life delivers. Gorgeous storytelling. Beautiful vulnerable honest story.

A powerful story of grief and hope.

One of the most inspiring and heartfelt stories I’ve ever read.

Jessica’s journey—though tragic, unfair, and heartbreaking—offers a fresh perspective on grief and trauma, showing how to navigate life’s darkest moments while still embracing beauty and positivity.

Told with raw emotion, honesty, humor, and love, this book is both moving and deeply relatable.

My only regret is that I didn’t read it sooner—during my own struggles—because it would have been incredibly helpful in processing my grief.

A must read.