This Will All Be Over Soon

A Memoir

By: Cecily Strong

Narrated by: Cecily Strong

A powerful memoir from the Saturday Night Live cast member Cecily Strong about grieving the death of her cousin - and embracing the life-affirming lessons he taught her - amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Cecily Strong had a special bond with her cousin Owen. And so she was devastated when, in early 2020, he passed away at age 30 from the brain cancer glioblastoma. Before Strong could attempt to process her grief, another tragedy struck: the coronavirus pandemic. Following a few harrowing weeks in the virus epicenter of New York City, Strong relocated to an isolated house in the woods upstate. Here, trying to make sense of Owen’s death and the upended world, she spent much of the ensuing months writing. The result is This Will All Be Over Soon - a raw, unflinching memoir about loss, love, laughter, and hope.

Befitting the time-warped year of 2020, the diary-like approach deftly weaves together the present and the past. Strong chronicles the challenges of beginning a relationship during the pandemic and the fear when her new boyfriend contracts COVID. She describes the pain of losing her friend and longtime Saturday Night Live staff member Hal Willner to the virus. She reflects on formative events from her life, including how her high school expulsion led to her pursuing a career in theater and, years later, landing at SNL.

Yet the heart of the book is Owen. Strong offers a poignant account of her cousin’s life, both before and after his diagnosis. Inspired by his unshakable positivity and the valuable lessons he taught her, she has written a book that - as indicated by its title - serves as a moving reminder: Whatever challenges life might throw one’s way, they will be over soon. And so will life. So make sure to appreciate every day, and don’t take a second of it for granted.

©2021 Cecily Strong. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disappointed

The author comes across as spoiled and whiny. Although the death of her wonderful and talented cousin is sad and tragic, she obviously has not endured a life that has brought her to maturity. She is immature and very clingy. I hope she postpones marriage and certainly children until she grows up. Motherhood could very likely put this girl into a mental health facility. Sorry. That’s just how the telling of her story (which mostly belongs to her cousin and his closer family members) comes across to this reader. Continued growth and success, though, to a witty and personable young “woman?”

A story of grief

Unless you know her cousin Owen, this isn’t going to be interesting, I’m afraid. These are just diary entries.

Loss and Grief

I can’t say this is is one of the better memoirs I’ve read, but it definitely was the most relevant. It is a story of immense sadness and grief amongst the most uncertain of times we are experiencing. The experiences that Strong describes might not be the exact same as others, however it is a universal thing when it comes to grieving during the pandemic. Loss was such an abundant thing in 2020 and most of us lost loved ones, a sense of peace, or even ourselves during this tragic time. We all knew what it felt like to miss something or someone. I was a bit thrown off by the random almost tangent like nature these essays were written in. Yet when looking back I understand the chaos as the pandemic was also an unknowing chaotic thing itself. Never knowing what is coming next and grieving what you feel you are losing is a very strong feeling that the author encapsulates very well. It was confusing at times, but a quick read. A reminder that everyone processes differently. It was a hell of a year and going through it with the author makes you feel like you were not the only one.

Grief, grief, grief

I love Cecily, but this is not a funny book. This is a book about grief and loss and processing deaths. If you were looking for a funny book, do not pick this one.

just right for these weird times

excellent, honest depiction of grief, recovering spirit and being in the moment. thank you Cecily!

Genuine and Heartfelt

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Cecily. Of course she’s a comedian; she’s also an actor. Every word of this was a privilege to hear. Thank you, Cecily, for allowing us to view a small portion of your experience over the past few years.

I wanted to love it

It was great in so many ways but a bit rambling and I felt like I just listened to one long therapy session. Rather depressing.

Great book

Great book. She seems like a pretty great person and listening to her read it is a nice way to experience it.

Healing

This Memoir is incredibly healing for those living with grief and those who have lived during the pandemic really facing it with rational fear.

Emotionally Intelligent

Cecily put into words the horrific year that was 2020 while also reminding us it's okay to laugh. highly recommend