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The Urgent Life

By: Bozoma Saint John
Narrated by: Bozoma Saint John
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Summary

"The Urgent Life shines a bright light on the intricacies of the shadows she’s been in, and illuminates the beauty of her urgent life.”—Serena Williams

From iconic leader Bozoma Saint John, comes a memoir of grief, and one woman's drive to thrive in the face of loss

When Bozoma Saint John's husband, Peter, died of cancer, she made one big decision: to live life urgently. Bozoma was no stranger to adversity, having lost her college boyfriend to suicide, navigated an interracial marriage, grieved a child born prematurely—a process that led to her and Peter's separation—and coparented the daughter who she and Peter shared. When Peter knew his cancer was terminal, he gave Bozoma a short list of things to do: cancel the divorce, and fix the wrongs immediately.

In The Urgent Life, Bozoma takes listeners through the dizzying, numbing days of multiple griefs, and the courage which these sparked in her to live life in accordance with her deepest values time and time again. We witness Bozoma's journey forward through the highs and the lows, as she negotiates life as a woman determined to learn from tragedies to build a remarkable life worth living even in her brokenness.

Bozoma's story is extraordinary, but her grief is not uncommon, and her courage is sure to touch any listener who has loved, mourned and is finding a path through loss and grief, as well as anyone who is maneuvering a pivot and wants to live life to its fullest.

©2023 Bozoma Saint John (P)2023 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

One of Oprah Daily's Most Anticipated Books of 2023

“The highlight reel of life can be misleading. It’s only when you look beyond the happy moments to look deeply into the times of darkness to see the real truth of a life. Bozoma Saint John’s The Urgent Life shines a bright light on the intricacies of the shadows she’s been in, and illuminates the beauty of her urgent life.” —Serena Williams

“The intensity of The Urgent Life Is contagious. No matter how different our own lives may be, we’re likely to leave these pages with a new sense of intimacy as well as urgency.” —Gloria Steinem

"In the past few years, I’ve had a front row seat to the inspiring way Bozoma Saint John has lived her life urgently; but in reading the story of her losses, I’ve truly come to marvel at her ferocious fortitude. Boz has not just survived, she has thrived. And all of us can learn lessons in The Urgent Life for how to do the same."—Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive Global

What listeners say about The Urgent Life

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Brilliance

This is a very good book, i really enjoyed it! I would definitely recommend this book.

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Such a brilliant book

I couldn’t stop listening to this. So wonderfully written and beautifully told. I’ve always admired Bozoma (Badass Boz). Now my respect for her has grown exponentially.

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Honest and relatable

Loved the honesty of this book. I couldn’t stop coming back to it and finished it in a couple of days. Really thought provoking and inspiring.

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Deeply moving

Very moving. Very well written. Very well narrated. Really glad I bought it. X x

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An important story

Beautifully told. Kept me engrossed all the way through. Waiting for the next book with future successes.

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What an authentic life

It was beautiful to hear how authentically herself Bozoma is and her commitment to live it out fully. There is just so much strength in who she is and how she’s woven her story for us to enjoy. She is so flavourful and it must only come from being who you are.

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Amazing insight into Bozoma’s journey

Amazing insight into Bozoma’s journey. She’s really been though so much it almost felt like I was listening to a movie at times! The book also shows insight into her character too.

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Raw, Unapologetic and Deeply Moving

Bozoma's story delivered with such depth and personal accountability is deeply moving. I finished it in a day as I became engrossed in her life and journey. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I empathized and I grieved. Truly an exceptional read.

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Very real and honest

I enjoyed every single bit of the book, it is a story that takes courage to tell and to narrate so openly. I have become a fan of Bozoma🫶🏾

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Open, thought-provoking and inspiring

A reminder to appreciate your loved ones and seize every present moment to live the most fulfilling life you can.

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