Reviews for Pretty Is What Changes: Impossible Choices, the Breast Cancer Gene, and How I Defied My Destiny

The average rating for Pretty Is What Changes: Impossible Choices, the Breast Cancer Gene, and How I Defied My Destiny based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2011-07-13 00:00:00 Andrew Dodds I was excited about this book for two reasons. One, it's authored by a writer from Gilmore Girls, one of the most well-written television shows ever aired. Two, it's about a 30-something New Yorker who faces her risk of breast cancer, which like me, is around 90%. I wanted the combination of BRCA information, personal anecdote, and good writing to help me sort through a few things in my own life. I was disappointed by this book for two reasons. One, the writing was not what one would expect of someone who writes for a living. It was subpar, at best, and cliche at worst. While the story was moving, it had nearly nothing to do with the writer's ability to tell it. Second, I couldn't get myself to like -- and thus identify -- with Jessica. This is not her fault, but her editor's. She spoke often of how many friends she has and how beautiful they find her and how many weekends she spent in the Hamptons and how many stunning Hollywood execs she dated. She writes about her friendship with Calista Flockhart in a way that only indicates that she wants you to know she is friends with Calista Flockhart. If she had made these points more subtly, it would not have overshadowed the sad, traumatic death of her mother; her brave choice to remove her breasts at 36; her incredible story of living with a gene that threatens to kill you in truly ugly ways -- and having the opportunity, thanks to advances in biomedicine and technology, to stop it. Ultimately, the book had the opposite effect of what I had hoped-- a cathartic way to figure out what having the BRCA gene means in my own life. Instead, I put the book down wondering if I am too nonchalant about the whole thing. If, like her, I should tell everyone I know, talk to everyone who has ever had breast cancer, and get a baby in the oven as quickly as possible before taken out all of my organs. But whatever failings I perceive the book to have are only because I had such personal, unattainable expectations for it. On its own merits, this is probably an interesting read for those who want to know more about the BRCA gene, a woman's new right to choose, and a coming of age story for those of us approaching our 30s. It also has some great stories from the Gilmore Girls set. But if you, like me, need to see yourself reflected back in the pages of this book, you're going to need a house in the Hamptons and Calista Flockhart on speed dial.

Review # 2 was written on 2017-10-24 00:00:00 Jimmy Mancini This book is incredible. I am a breast cancer previvor 6 months ago. I've struggled to find a support group of brca patients here in the middle east and had to look for intentional patients in the west to give me patient to patient advice. I related to sooo many points that Jessica mentioned and highlighted at least 10 quotation that were emotional to me. Although I am a mother and I'm married but I realize that Jessica's decision is more stressful to her. She is inspirational and strong and I am grateful for reading this book. Today we hosted a book club meeting in Jeddah ,Saudi Arabia. The meeting was a Hereditary breast and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day. Everyone read your book Jessica and my Obstetrician Oncologist attended and gave a presentation about BRCA. You helped me educate 15 women today. They aren't gene carriers or survivors, but they understood every word you said and were so touched by your book. Highly recommended for any female!