The complicated feelings of love and grief dominate this short memoir by Cheryl Strayed. Having also read "Wild" did help bring some background to this story, but I don't think it's necessary to still get the full impact. I found this essay extremely relatable as someone who is also dealing with fresh grief. The complicated nature of family relationships is something we can all empathize with, and Strayed manages to pack an emotional wallop in this short work. I really appreciate that she doesn't shy away from admitting that her relationship with her mother-in-law wasn't always great, but that they both came around to loving each other. I would highly recommend this quick read.

I enjoyed this short piece about the author’s relationship with her mother-in-law, reflected on as the latter is dying. It seems to be a realistic depiction of a relationship that hasn’t always been easy but in which both parties have reached a state of mutual appreciation. I wouldn’t want to read about how wonderful and flawless the older woman was if that was not the case and I think the author achieved the correct tone here of showing her mother-in-law’s shortcomings alongside her best qualities without being critical.
If I have any criticism, it’s that this was very short and over quickly, almost before I felt I was really into the story. Perhaps I would have appreciated it more as part of a collection on a similar theme, giving me more time to reflect on the content.
This is my first experience with Cheryl Strayed, although I’m quite sure Wild is waiting on my Kindle, so this serves as a reminder to get to it.
Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a fun little story about something that we all have to face eventually – death.

But it is so much more than that. It is a story of relationships, love and understand. All revolving around the most feared person since the days of Bedrock: The Mother-in-Law.

I enjoyed how Strayed was able to create a few chuckles and see parallels in my own relationship all while exposing her own experience at what must have been a difficult time.

Job well done.

5 Stars

Two Women Walk Into a Bar is such a short story, packed with so much emotion. I was moved to tears by the story of the end one's life, because it was so true to what I've experienced.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

This was a wonderful short read. It can be hard to think about death and the impending end of the life of a loved one, but Cheryl shares her experience with her mother-in-law poignantly and lovingly.

I believe while I may not be the target audience for this book, I actually did enjoy it. Joan and Cheryl, who are from two completely different world come together to share a beautiful story. It was such a revealing story about family relationships and it was quite touching. I would recommend to anyone looking to read something beautiful and something they can connect with.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Two Women Walk in a Bar by Cheryl Strayed.

This is a super short, very sweet story about a woman and her mother-in-law at the end of her life. It's sad, it's funny, it's relatable, and it's honest. I can't really say more than that, although I may be biased, Cheryl Strayed won my heart over years ago.

I enjoyed this short story memoir about the author's reflections on her relationship with her dying mother-in-law and trying to form a connection with a woman who was so different from herself. I was surprised at the depth it was able to achieve in 30-something pages.

Cheryl Strayed's writing can conjure an image, a person, and a feeling so succinctly and effectively, and this talent shines in this short story about her aging mother in law. Despite the sad topic she manages to bring out love and meaning. Beautiful and brilliant, if you enjoy her full length novels, you will appreciate this short story.

I didn’t really enjoy the writing style too much, I picked this up bc I enjoyed “tiny little things” from this author. But this one wasn’t for me.

I was initially excited to read this based off my personal relationship with my mother. However, with a synopsis as long as the story I finished feeling...well...unfinished. Some stories are meant to be novels in order to portray certain things to the reader and this is a prime example.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC of this book.

Aside from a desire for this to be longer, judged as it is this is beautiful short story about death and tying up loose end. It was beautifully written and I enjoyed reading it.

I love the title of this short story and as a long time fan of Cheryl Strayed I was eager to start reading. It's short, but it packs a punch as it deals with end of life moral decisions. Strayed addressed her relationship with her mother-in-law with tenderness and understanding, which at times was tenuous and conflict was avoided in more than one instance when holding her tongue showed great restraint! Again, understanding and tenderness shine. Very well written, I highly recommend.

This was the perfect remedy to a bit of a reading slump I've had since early January. The story was interesting as Strayed weaves her somewhat strained relationship with her MIL Joan between stories of Joan's background. Joan is both complex and off-putting, but her backstory reveals some reasons Joan is the way she is. The writing is so concise but doesn't feel spare or choppy. I finished truly not understanding how Strayed told a story about such a big relationship in a matter of so few words.

Strayed excels in the human story, feelings, complexities, love with all its faults and foibles, and this short novella is full of all of that goodness. Highly recommend this as a one sitting, less than an hour read, that is well worth the investment of time - this novella delivers much more than it seems it would in such a short package.

Two Women Walk Into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed

This short story popped up on my NetGalley options yesterday shortly after I had finished my other read. Since I enjoyed reading Wild, I thought I’d give another one of @cherylstrayed stories a chance. I’m glad I did.

This short story is a peek at what happens when someone is at the end of their life, and family comes together to mend relationships and make things better. I also felt like it was a tribute to her mother in law, a woman who she admired but had a difficult relationship with.

If you’re someone dealing with this stage of life, death and grief, I feel like this would be a very relatable and comforting story. Thanks again @netgalley

A short sweet recount of Cheryl’s relationship with her mother-in-law Joan against the backdrop of Joan’s impending death. This served as a lovely reminder that all relationships are complex and filled with so many emotions that show themselves in a multitude of ways. It was so touching to see that, despite not having the relationship they imagined and neither was what the other imagined their in-law to be, there was still love there. It was a beautiful evening read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The synopsis is almost as long as the story. While this appeared to be a deeply personal story to the author, I didn't necessarily connect with anything. I don't really get it.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Having read Wild by the same author I was excited to read more of her work, and this did not disappoint.

This was an incredible short story packed with a ton of emotion. It was an interesting look at the relationship between a woman and her mother-in-law and the changes they go through. It gives a good look at preparing for the loss of a loved one, even if the relationship wasn't always the best.

A beautiful and succinct story about family, grief, and acceptance - a mother - in - law and daughter - in - law bond in their shared love while facing death. I loved how this read and the simplicity of the story. This is relatable and endearing in every way.