A Heart That Works

A Heart That Works

  • Downloads:8082
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-12-02 10:51:40
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Rob Delaney
  • ISBN:1954118317
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

A visceral and deeply personal memoir by the star of the Amazon Prime series Catastrophe, about the loss of his young son。

In 2016, Rob Delaney’s one-year-old son, Henry, was diagnosed with a brain tumor。 The family had moved from Los Angeles to London with their two young boys when Rob’s wife was pregnant with Henry, their third。 The move was an adventure that would bind them even more tightly together as they navigated the novelty of London, the culture clashes, and the funhouse experience of Rob’s fame—thanks to his role as co-creator and co-star of the hit series Catastrophe。 Henry’s illness was a cataclysm that changed everything about their lives。 Amid the hospital routine, surgeries, and brutal treatments, they found a newfound community of nurses, aides, caregivers, and fellow parents contending with the unthinkable。 Two years later, Henry died, and his family watched their world fall away to reveal the things that matter most。

A Heart That Works is Delaney’s intimate, unflinching, and fiercely funny exploration of what happened – from the harrowing illness to the vivid, bodily impact of grief and the blind, furious rage that followed, through to the forceful, unstoppable love that remains。 In the madness of his grief, Delaney grapples with the fragile miracle of life, the mysteries of death, and the question of purpose for those left behind。

Delaney’s memoir—profound, painful, full of emotion, and bracingly honest—offers solace to those who have faced devastation and shows us how grace may appear even in the darkest times。

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Reviews

Melissa

Unspeakably tragic。 Gut-wrenching, but also somehow life affirming, to read。Apparently, the author is some kind of celebrity。 To be honest, when I picked up the book I had no idea who he was。 Now I know he is a terrific dad, and I am grateful for the insights he shared from the depths of his irreparable disaster。 I hope the best for him and his family。

Alexander Keith

Take some time off to read this。 You'll probably ugly cry for hours。 Take some time off to read this。 You'll probably ugly cry for hours。 。。。more

Emma Scott

Hold on to your hats n’ glasses, this is a long one。 A few weeks ago, my grief therapist texted me a link to a video with the message along the lines of, "I won't send you every grieving parent interview, but this one you have to see。" It was this author on The One Show talking about the passing of his two-year-old son to brain cancer and how he'd written a memoir about it。 I had no idea it was going to be Rob Delaney, he who is beloved by me for the small, but crucial role of Peter in Deadpool Hold on to your hats n’ glasses, this is a long one。 A few weeks ago, my grief therapist texted me a link to a video with the message along the lines of, "I won't send you every grieving parent interview, but this one you have to see。" It was this author on The One Show talking about the passing of his two-year-old son to brain cancer and how he'd written a memoir about it。 I had no idea it was going to be Rob Delaney, he who is beloved by me for the small, but crucial role of Peter in Deadpool 2 (X-Force!) (I'm also under the general suspicion that he and David Harbour are the same person。 It's the mustache。 Have they ever been in the same room together? Just saying。)I watched the interview and raced to buy the book。。。which was months from release。 And it was because this author said something I felt like I'd been waiting to hear since June of 2018 when my 10 year old daughter Isabel, who spent five days on an ECMO, passed away from a cardiac arrest。 And that was that he wanted to "write something very angry and hurt people。" He didn't, by the way。 There is righteous anger in this beautiful book, but I identified instantly with that sentiment without him having to explain why。 In that moment, I knew this book would unlock the last door that has thus far prevented me from writing my own memoir。 And I was right。 Here was raw honesty that’s been missing from my imaginary rough drafts that alternated between fluffy unicorns and rainbows, to shoving the worst, hardest, most effed up parts at reader and saying, BEHOLD MY SUFFERING, FOR IT IS GREATER THAN THINE, whether that's true or not。 So I mentally gave it 5 stars right out the gate。 The next step was to actually ready it, which I did in a few short hours, alternately laughing my ass off, crying, or staring in disbelief at the serendipities in our experiences: from the importance of Joan Didion, to memorial tattoos (I have a sleeve of them) to a loved one's suicide, to our children dying in 2018 on our birthdays。 Plus, a host of micro-similarities that only come from having an inkling of what the writer is talking about。 I am no means an authority on his grief, but I'm in the club and I get it。 And reading this book was him saying to me, "I get it。" After [Henry] died, I had the odd sensation of somehow being older than my parents, or at the very last having seen something that they hadn't, and it had changed me。 。。。No one had anything to offer me that could light my path and show me a way forward。。。That was a very sad and lonely feeling。This entire book could have been that paragraph only, and I'd have considered it money well spent。 For grieving parents, this book is a path forward。 For those struggling to know what to do for a grieving parent, this book is a path forward。 My protectiveness over this book and everything in it might be irrational but anyone giving it one star can go "gargle a big bowl of diarrhea。" Until you walk a mile, and all that。 Because when you lose a beautiful, kind, sweet child every day forward on this earth needs a trigger warning。 The blinders come off, and the blurred line between what is bullshit and what is real and true evaporates, and sometimes you just want to burn it all down。And lest this review devolve into being all about ME (too late!) It bears reiterating that it's funny as hell。 Darker, angrier, even funnier thoughts about losing a child share space with the grace and beauty inherent in such an experience, and it should。 The metric fuck-ton of hard stuff makes everything else all the more precious。 To leave it out is to miss the point entirely, so I appreciate (such a weak word) the honesty in this book for mashing them both together and saying, "You might never know this, I hope you never know this, but THIS is what it is。" I am inspired and grateful for this book。 Another thing I know, is that a lost child slipping out of the memories, or thoughts, or the consciousnesses of the rest of the world, (that continues to chug on despite the enormous hole carved out of your soul) is another kind of agony。 When I light my nightly candle to Izzy, I'll add Henry to my thoughts and be grateful for him too。 。。。more

May

I have never sobbed so hard

Nicole Fields

Absolutely beautiful and shattering 。 A must read。

Kinsey Airhart

Now I know what's wrong with me。。。my heart works。 Now I know what's wrong with me。。。my heart works。 。。。more

Molly Marsh

Beautiful This book is profoundly helpful and moving。 It is perfect for anyone who has experienced or is going through a difficult loss…And anyone who knows someone in that experience。 So basically everyone should read this book。 Rob Delaney brings all emotions to the surface with his words in the most beautiful, painful, and comforting way。

Laura

Gosh this was brutal。 I listened to it in one go, it is very quick。

Allie Slocum

I may have too many thoughts about this book and I don’t know if I will be able to verbalize them here。 I am grateful Rob wrote this book so that we could all know and love Henry, we could all know his life and his death, and we could all know his suffering but more importantly the immense love that surrounded this little boy。 I wept the whole book。 I laughed several times through the tears。 And then there were moments I just sobbed。 It is brutally and painfully honest and I won’t ever forget He I may have too many thoughts about this book and I don’t know if I will be able to verbalize them here。 I am grateful Rob wrote this book so that we could all know and love Henry, we could all know his life and his death, and we could all know his suffering but more importantly the immense love that surrounded this little boy。 I wept the whole book。 I laughed several times through the tears。 And then there were moments I just sobbed。 It is brutally and painfully honest and I won’t ever forget Henry。 。。。more

Zahra Hankir

I don't usually leave reviews on GR, but this book blew my mind and I finished it in one sitting。 I've been a fan of Delaney for years (and watched him live in London)。 I wondered how he'd be able to weave his sharp sense of humour into this tragic life story。 He did it seamlessly — this book will have you laughing and crying within paragraphs。 I am not a mother, nor have I experienced grief of this magnitude。 But I did lose a dear friend to brain cancer a few years ago, and I thought of her, an I don't usually leave reviews on GR, but this book blew my mind and I finished it in one sitting。 I've been a fan of Delaney for years (and watched him live in London)。 I wondered how he'd be able to weave his sharp sense of humour into this tragic life story。 He did it seamlessly — this book will have you laughing and crying within paragraphs。 I am not a mother, nor have I experienced grief of this magnitude。 But I did lose a dear friend to brain cancer a few years ago, and I thought of her, and cried, as I read。 This was such a beautiful tribute to little Henry; I felt like I really got to know both him and Tobias。 What a unique expression and study of grief, but also of love。 Not just for Henry and Tobias, but for his wife, his living sons, his friends and family, even for the NHS, and for life itself。 。。。more

Natalie

Heartbreaking, beautiful and somehow even laugh out loud funny between the tears。 Picked it up and couldn't put it down until it was finished Heartbreaking, beautiful and somehow even laugh out loud funny between the tears。 Picked it up and couldn't put it down until it was finished 。。。more

Carolyn Drake

Blistering, gut-wrenching, furious and funny, Rob Delaney's unflinching account of the death of his young son from a brain tumour is one of the most raw and honest books I've ever read。 An astonishing examination of grief and love。 Blistering, gut-wrenching, furious and funny, Rob Delaney's unflinching account of the death of his young son from a brain tumour is one of the most raw and honest books I've ever read。 An astonishing examination of grief and love。 。。。more

Lisa

Read in one sitting。 Terrible in the most beautiful way。

Deborah Coulter

Oh my oh my oh my。 And woah。 I'll admit that I preordered this book because i think Rob Delaney is an amazing writer (I adored, relished and loved every minute of Catastrophe!) and have had significant losses recently - and in the past。 I laughed, I cried, and wallowed and I felt like someone else understood me too。 And Rob - thank you for that。 Oh my oh my oh my。 And woah。 I'll admit that I preordered this book because i think Rob Delaney is an amazing writer (I adored, relished and loved every minute of Catastrophe!) and have had significant losses recently - and in the past。 I laughed, I cried, and wallowed and I felt like someone else understood me too。 And Rob - thank you for that。 。。。more

Ahmed

This book was like a kick to my sleepwalking existence。 We think we've figured life out, and we plan everything down to the tiniest detail。 And yet。 And yet。 We truly don't know what fate has up it's sleeve for the very next minute。 We assume it'll be alright, but what if it's not?This is a deeply personal memoir of a father's grief。 Rob is not trying to be a hero here, neither is he telling you how he survived it - he's just laying the facts bare: my son had cancer, he died, and this is how it This book was like a kick to my sleepwalking existence。 We think we've figured life out, and we plan everything down to the tiniest detail。 And yet。 And yet。 We truly don't know what fate has up it's sleeve for the very next minute。 We assume it'll be alright, but what if it's not?This is a deeply personal memoir of a father's grief。 Rob is not trying to be a hero here, neither is he telling you how he survived it - he's just laying the facts bare: my son had cancer, he died, and this is how it went。 I can't even begin to imagine how unbelievably painful this must have been。 Rob thank you for speaking about this。 The world needs to read this - we all need a reminder of not taking things for granted。 。。。more

Sarah Abete

When a person feels like they’re dreaming, they will pinch themselves to assure themselves that they are in fact, awake and alive。 Pain has the ability to ground us in reality, to wake us up。 Pain is terrible and necessary and a part of life。 Without it one would feel numb。 Numbness is the opposite of being fully alive。 If you want to be numb, do not read this book。 In fact, if you want to live a pain-free, numb life, do not to any of the things that make life worth living: do not travel, do not When a person feels like they’re dreaming, they will pinch themselves to assure themselves that they are in fact, awake and alive。 Pain has the ability to ground us in reality, to wake us up。 Pain is terrible and necessary and a part of life。 Without it one would feel numb。 Numbness is the opposite of being fully alive。 If you want to be numb, do not read this book。 In fact, if you want to live a pain-free, numb life, do not to any of the things that make life worth living: do not travel, do not fall in love, do not get married, and definitely do not have children。 This will keep your life safe and boring and you will never experience the full range of emotions described in this book。 “A Heart that Works” makes me want to be a better person and a better mom。 Rob Delaney gets it。 I get it。 And I’m grateful for him。 。。。more

Jennifer Fetter

Finished it in one day。 What an affecting window into private pain and a deeply loving family。

Michele

It seems impossible that a memoir recounting a child’s death from brain cancer could be funny, but Rob Delaney does it。 A Heart That Works is also gutting, honest, and indelible。 His love for Henry - even and especially the hardest parts - shines through with every chapter。 I recommend the audio。

Laura Kate

How Rob and Leah picked up the pieces of their existence and kept going is beyond my understanding。 What a beautiful, horrible read。

Paige Edrington

It’s hard to know what to say。 This book is so well written and I’m glad I read it。

Jennifer

For once it was Michael Esper recommending a book to me and not the other way round as usual。 After seeing this title mentioned on his Twitter I was delighted to see this on Netgalley so I thought I would check it out。 He did not steer me wrong (not that I expected , the man has impeccable taste) I wasn't familiar with Rob or his work so despite coming in as a complete outsider I was absolutely blown away by this deeply moving personal account of a devoted father coming to terms with the termina For once it was Michael Esper recommending a book to me and not the other way round as usual。 After seeing this title mentioned on his Twitter I was delighted to see this on Netgalley so I thought I would check it out。 He did not steer me wrong (not that I expected , the man has impeccable taste) I wasn't familiar with Rob or his work so despite coming in as a complete outsider I was absolutely blown away by this deeply moving personal account of a devoted father coming to terms with the terminal illness and subsequent death of his infant son Henry。Rob writes with passion, anger, humour and above all a tremendous honesty about his experiences and I have no doubt that this book will enable a greater understanding of grief in everyone who reads it。 。。。more

Kristi

Devastating, beautiful, hilarious

Matt

The most beautiful, most devastating account of anyone’s worst nightmare

Maryellen

Thank you Rob and Leah for sharing your sweet, beautiful Henry with us。

Danielle Tonelli

Okay so I haven’t actually read this yet but Rob Delaney kicks ass。 Love him。 My psychic abilities tell me it’s going to be 5 stars。 And buying the book helps support children in hospice so you should buy it anyways。

Lauren

Beautiful。 Absolutely beautiful。 I recommend this book to any human person who will care for someone and lose someone。 Anyone who has experienced deep personal loss will find comfort in Rob’s hilarious directness and the love he shows his son and family。 Those who have yet to experience loss on this scale will recall his attitude and advice when it does come their way。I had a year marked by grief, some my own and some experienced by close friends。 Rob’s questions rang true。 Is this really the th Beautiful。 Absolutely beautiful。 I recommend this book to any human person who will care for someone and lose someone。 Anyone who has experienced deep personal loss will find comfort in Rob’s hilarious directness and the love he shows his son and family。 Those who have yet to experience loss on this scale will recall his attitude and advice when it does come their way。I had a year marked by grief, some my own and some experienced by close friends。 Rob’s questions rang true。 Is this really the thing that’s happening in my life? Who is going to help me? Why do bad things happen all at once? What do I say? Is there a God, and if there is what the heck is his problem? Rob can’t really answer these questions, no one can, but he reminds us we aren’t alone when we ask them。Rob doesn’t forget to acknowledge the systems that helped and harmed his family while they grappled through their journey with Henry。 I think this book is a pretty strong argument for universal healthcare, and it’s a wonderful testament to his son Henry’s memory。The whole book is a love story。 It’s intimate and funny and sweet and wrenching, like most worthwhile things。 Rob is brave in what he shares and in what he holds back。 I wish it had a happy ending, I wish Rob and his family didn’t have to lose their Henry。 I am glad, though, that I got to hear all about him and celebrate his sweet little life。 As a caveat, this book is 5 stars for me all the way, but as a grief-support book it may be too much。 I read it 6+ months after experiencing loss, if I were in more active grief this might be too tender and just crack me open for several days。 The death of a child is an overwhelming thing to read about at any time。 Just putting this here as people like to buy/recommend books for grieving friends, I’d say read it before you decide to gift it。 。。。more

JD Waldvogel

This is Book of the Year for me。 I don’t know if I cried more or laughed more, but what I do know is it moved me。 It’s the sort of book I want all my friends and family to read, the sort that makes me want to go wake my kids up just to hold them and kiss them。 Cheers Rob。

Jessica

This didn't need to be well written, or funny, or perfect to be important and yet it was all those things。 This didn't need to be well written, or funny, or perfect to be important and yet it was all those things。 。。。more

Sharon May

Many thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for gifting me a digital ARC of this heartbreaking and glorious memoir by Rob Delaney - 5 stars!Rob and his wife, pregnant with Henry, their third child, moved from LA to London where he was busy creating and starring in a TV show。 But their world crashed around them when Henry was diagnosed with a brain tumor before his first birthday。 I couldn't put this book down, even through my tears。 What an amazing family Henry was blessed to have and what wonde Many thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for gifting me a digital ARC of this heartbreaking and glorious memoir by Rob Delaney - 5 stars!Rob and his wife, pregnant with Henry, their third child, moved from LA to London where he was busy creating and starring in a TV show。 But their world crashed around them when Henry was diagnosed with a brain tumor before his first birthday。 I couldn't put this book down, even through my tears。 What an amazing family Henry was blessed to have and what wonderful care they gave him, as well as their other two children and their marriage。 This is a raw, unfiltered look at unfathomable grief, but also hope。 It's a thank you love letter to all those special people who care for sick people, especially sick babies and their families。 You will laugh, cheer, and rage along with the author。 He holds nothing back and we the readers are better for it。 I will definitely think twice about what I say to someone dealing with loss, as well as what to do and not to do。 Blessings to this family - a must read! 。。。more

Melissa Surgey

Without a doubt one of the most thoughtful, moving and raw books I've read in a very long time。 Delaney writes with wit and honesty about his experiences of his son Henry dying as a toddler。 His insights into grief are incredible and I think many people who have experienced bereavement will empathise - A Heart That Works feels like a tonic。 For a book centred on death, there is so much light and humour throughout and the way in which Delaney writes about Henry is beautifully moving and really br Without a doubt one of the most thoughtful, moving and raw books I've read in a very long time。 Delaney writes with wit and honesty about his experiences of his son Henry dying as a toddler。 His insights into grief are incredible and I think many people who have experienced bereavement will empathise - A Heart That Works feels like a tonic。 For a book centred on death, there is so much light and humour throughout and the way in which Delaney writes about Henry is beautifully moving and really brings him to life from the pages。 My only complaint is that I would have gladly read several hundred more pages about Henry, Rob and their family。 。。。more