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The Urgent Life

My Story of Love, Loss, and Survival

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The Urgent Life

By: Bozoma Saint John
Narrated by: Bozoma Saint John
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About this listen

"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
Grief & Loss Personal Development Personal Success Relationships Marriage Grief

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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

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

Brilliance

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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.

Such a brilliant book

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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.

Honest and relatable

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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.

Raw, Unapologetic and Deeply Moving

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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🫶🏾

Very real and honest

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

Open, thought-provoking and inspiring

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Bozoma walks us through different periods in her life in an unfiltered, thought provoking way. Great book!

Honest and thought provoking

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Loved this book. I heard Bozoma on a podcast and really connected with her story. The book did not disappoint. It is finely woven stories and beautiful, sad, tragic, honest, moving, romantic and hopeful moments. An amazing lady.

Brave, strong and honest

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I loved the honesty in the complicated love story between Bozeman and Peter. A great example of how grief shapes our lives differently. A good listen especially after a loss.

Great listen

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

Deeply moving

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