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Amen, Amen, Amen: Memoir of a Girl Who Couldn't Stop Praying (Among Other Things) Audiobook
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(3.06) - 370 listener ratings
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Until the age of ten, comedian and writer Abby Sher was a happy child in a fun-loving, musical family. When her father and favorite aunt pass away, Abby fills the void of her loss with rituals: kissing her father's picture over and over each night, washing her hands and counting her steps, collecting sharp objects that she thinks could harm innocent pedestrians. Then she begins to pray. At first she repeats the few phrases she remembers from synagogue, but by the time she is in high school, Abby is spending hours locked in her closet urgently reciting a series of incantations and pleas. The prescribed patterns from which she cannot deviate become her shelter and her obsession.
In college, Abby is diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, and while it helps explain the counting and kissing and collecting, she resists rationalizing her deepest obsession, certain that her prayers are not an illness but the cure. Unable to confront the fears that drive her, she descends into darker compulsions, cutting and starving herself, measuring every calorie and each incision. But even in the darkest moments of her illness, there are glimmers of laughter and hope, for she carries the irrepressible spirit and passion that are so much a part of her family. Ultimately, it is another loss—the death of her mother—that compels Abby to redefine the terms of her illness and her faith, freeing her to live and love more fully.
Full of heartbreak, buoyant with humor, and marked by exceptionally vivid storytelling, Amen, Amen, Amen is a brilliant account of soul-searching, self-discovery, and the bounds and boundlessness of obsession and devotion.
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"This book is a memoir about a woman suffering through OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Often we joke about real psychological illnesses. We'll comment and say, "That's my OCD talking." This young woman copes with the deaths of members in her family through discovering that repetition of prayers will soothe her. The question becomes then, "Does she pray because she has OCD or does she pray out of faith?" It is a question in which she doesn't share with the world (until the book was written) this faith that seems to overpower her. She doesn't want it open for criticism. I admire the way she manages to be so open and honest in her writing. So far it has been an interesting read."
— Elvia (4 out of 5 stars)
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An inspiring story for young people who may be facing similar problems, rendered in charming, self-deprecating humor.
— Kirkus
Amen, Amen, Amen Listener Reviews
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" I got impatient with this book, and I'm glad I'm finally done. It started out as an interesting memoir of a girl who developed OCD as a child after her father died. As she grew older, it devolved into self-indulgent navel-gazing from a woman who has clearly had too much therapy. OCD took a back seat to her boyfriend issues and career longings. (Yes, I did kind of wish that Abby was a little more mentally ill and a little less normal, just so I could be more entertained. Is that bad?) "
— Heidi, 2/1/2014 -
" Loved this book....could not put it down "
— Annie, 1/13/2014 -
" Abby Sher tells her story of how she lives with OCD. Recommended by Sno-Isle Libraries. "
— Maegan, 11/30/2013 -
" This was a very fun book to listen to in audio. "
— Vivian, 11/25/2013 -
" This amazing book is by my great friend-- but it is an amazing book regardless of the character of the lady who wrote it. AND it's about to come out in paper back! "
— Joselin, 11/19/2013 -
" A lady suffering from OCD and how she dealt with it "
— Kristen, 10/27/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book, very interesting to see the world through her eyes and see how her views change (and stay the same) through her life. Flicker was by far my favorite part! "
— Maria, 10/17/2013 -
" It is a great story depicting a young woman's struggle with obsession. "
— Ellie, 10/28/2012 -
" You could really feel her OCD It made you feel the craziness associated with the disease. I have known people with OCD and it is truly debilitating. I was not aware of how extensive the disease could be. It is well written, and not a calming book to read. "
— Sandra, 6/1/2012 -
" I do enjoy OCD and anorexia, especially combined. While this book was enjoyable it doesnt stand out. "
— Heather, 2/5/2012 -
" Fascinating look at the inside of obsessive compulsive disorder. "
— Nan, 4/26/2011 -
" A surprisingly good memoir that while at times broke my heart ended in hope. "
— Dora, 4/24/2011 -
" I loved this book. was a great memoir, and also being jewish with some OCD tendencies, I definitely related to some of her experiences. She kept it somewhat humorous, and a satisfying but not overly sugary ending. "
— Kelsi, 4/8/2011 -
" What an interesting book! This woman goes over her life, detailing her obsessive-compulsive behavior and its affect on her life. I liked the way she wrote; the intimacy made me feel like I knew her. This book helped me understand the mind of those who are caught up in OCD troubles. "
— Sally, 11/15/2010 -
" This is one of the most powerful books I've read in a long time. It dealt with so many issues - OCD, depression, cutting, loss of a parent - I truly felt for the speaker and the trials she went through in her life. A must read for ANYONE! "
— Kristin, 11/6/2010 -
" You could really feel her OCD It made you feel the craziness associated with the disease. I have known people with OCD and it is truly debilitating. I was not aware of how extensive the disease could be. It is well written, and not a calming book to read. "
— Sandra, 10/12/2010 -
" I REALLY enjoyed this book - it was hard to put it down! I won this book as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway and started reading it as soon as I got it in the mail. Honest writing, vivid descriptions, humor, heartbreak and hope all wrapped up in 300 pages. "
— Rebecca, 10/9/2010 -
" I enjoyed this book. I have dealt with issues associated with OCD, so I could definitely relate to some of the things she experienced. Great memoir! "
— Donna, 10/4/2010 -
" This amazing book is by my great friend-- but it is an amazing book regardless of the character of the lady who wrote it. AND it's about to come out in paper back! "
— Joselin, 8/31/2010 -
" Loved this book....could not put it down "
— Annie, 7/16/2010
About Abby Sher
Abby Sher is the author of the young adult novel Kissing Snowflakes. Her writing also appears in the anthologies Modern Love and Behind the Bedroom Door, as well as in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Self, Jane, Elle, and Redbook. She has written and performed for the Second City in Chicago, the Upright Citizen’s Brigade, and the Magnet Theater in New York, and she has appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. She performs improvisation regularly and does voice-over work for television and radio. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter.