Book Review: Dear Stranger, Dearest Friend
Given that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s only fitting that I finished reading this beautiful book 2 weeks ago and I begin to write this book review on the last day of the month. Originally published in 2000 by Laney Katz Becker, Dear Stranger, Dearest Friend tells the story of two women who start off as internet pen pals but end up having an entirely wholesome relationship over the years.
This isn’t an easy review to write, and it also wasn’t an easy book to read. Breast cancer is a scary thought that runs through every girl’s mind at some point in their life. Laney seamlessly blends fiction with non-fiction, using the loyal relationship between two women as a means to spread awareness and education about breast cancer.
The first reason I found this book to be unique (to me) was because it’s entirely written in email communication format. I’ve never read a book like this before. It felt slightly like reading diary entries, similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower. But this was different. This was a front row seat to a communication channel between two women who use each other as a sounding board, a shoulder to lean on, a friend to laugh or cry with. You become just as commited to their relationship as they are.
The second reason this book stands out is fairly straightforward — the fact that it blatantly addresses breast cancer. Lara receives a breast cancer scare and reaches out to a community on an online breast cancer support group, looking for some reassurance, comfort and support. After plenty of women reach out and wish her well, Lara singles out Susan, a breast cancer survivor. She begins a private email chain with her, thus forming a relationship that would greatly affect both of their lives.
Susan’s character helps Lara understand her test results and treatment options. By not sugar coating anything, she serves as an honest and informative guide through the difficult journey of BC (it’s getting harder for me to type the full words over and over, haha.) I learned so much about BC by reading this book. I can confirm that it is much easier to learn about BC by reading a book, versus doing research online and letting Dr. Google scare the living daylights out of you.
Common myths about BC that Susan debunks — “if you don’t have a history of BC in the family, you aren’t at risk” , “if you’re below a certain age group, you aren’t at risk”
Susan and Lara talk to eachother about their husbands, their kids, their jobs, and their general day-to-day lives. They share laughs by describing the peculiar things that happen to them, and they share sorrow when something bad happens. There is no judgement, only wholehearted support.
I never get tired of reminding myself how precious the relationships I have with all the women in my life are — my girlfriends, my older sister, my mom, the list goes on. This book is a great reminder of just that. The bond between Susan and Lara, though unfortunately brought about by difficult circumstances, is unbreakable.
Read this book if you want to be comforted by a warm friendship. Read this book if you want to learn about BC (in my opinion, it’s important we do.) Grab a warm blanket, some hot chocolate, a box of tissues, get cozy and curl up with this book. You won’t regret it.
