Book Review: Silent Sorority

Read and reviewed by Jen K.

Title of Book: Silent Sorority 

Author: Pamela Mahoney Tsigdinos 

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing

Year of Publication: 2009

Number of pages: 218

Main topics presented: Memoir, coming to terms with unresolved, unexplained infertility, living childfree

Technical Review:

What is the book's format?

• This is a memoir, written chronologically

How is the book organized?

• Chronological organization, loosely interwoven with themes of stages of grief

Writing style?

• Factual, but emotional, with dark humor where she can place it.

What is the author’s experience on the subject?

• As an infertile patient

Does the author have a certain point of view or opinion?

• She is not trying to get you to buy anything, but voices something that has been given VERY little attention – not everyone ends up with a child

What is the book's conclusion/closing statement?

• She concludes without concluding, she has lived without children, and has slowly, come to terms with it, knowing that she will never be able to fully come to terms with it.

Personal Review:

Who would you suggest this book to?

• It was so engaging, I’d recommend it to a broad audience – I might steer away from recommending it to those newly pursuing treatment, for they need the happy ending stories.  This is for someone who is considering moving beyond treatment – and for the families (siblings, parents, friends) of people moving away from treatment

How did the book affect you?

• Well, I read it the day before my dang period, so I was in tears!  My husband had to ask me to put it down, but I snuck back in bed with a box of tissues and finished it.  It was so moving – and while we are on different journeys, my infertility is secondary, she spoke to me in a way I needed – We have given up on treatment, we are ‘moving on’ and accepting that we will be a family of 3…  I had thought that I could get over it, and cursed myself for still crying when friends announced their ‘good news’… This book, for me, served as a reminder that I (we!) have been wounded, and the pain will always be a part of who we are.

Is there anything you wish the author(s) had elaborated on?

• While I’d love to know more about her story, they way the memoir was written was perfect, leaving out what was unnecessary.  I got a little bored with the blog comments she included, but they did serve a point.

Rate this book on a scale of 1-5 stars.  Why do you think it deserves this rating?

• 4  stars – the book was moving, real and on an important, little discussed outcome of infertility.