The Unlikely Village of Eden

Description

One afternoon, Emma Nadler gets a call from her daughter’s doctor that changes her life forever. Faced with the realities of raising a child with a rare genetic condition, Nadler must confront her preconceptions of motherhood along with her own perfectionistic beliefs.

With a generous wit and a wide-open mind, Nadler—who also happens to be a psychotherapist—offers a rare window into the unconventional ways she and her family adapt to their improbable path. Every relationship in her life—with herself, her husband, children, friends, and even clients—is reimagined as she navigates the heartbreak and hilarity of her daily life.

As she and her husband join the 53 million caregivers in the United States, Nadler wrestles to belong in a society that devalues both caregivers and people with disabilities. She challenges the scripts that mothers should be martyrs, or even that self-sacrifice is a necessary component of love. Nadler illustrates the complexity, grief, and joy of living an unexpected life, all with the wisdom of a therapist, the heart of a loving parent, and the ingenuity of a queer woman who refuses to be shackled by cultural expectations.

The Unlikely Village of Eden is an insightful and wholehearted look at the long-ignored realities so many families live with daily. Nadler is a trusted guide who confronts both hope and despair as she gives readers the gift of what it looks like to redefine love, success, family, and community.

Review

“A stunning debut memoir by a gifted writer and psychotherapist. Emma Nadler has written a truly poignant read that shines a light on the humanity in neurodivergence, the heart of parenting, and the soul of psychotherapy.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the TED podcast Re:Thinking

“The Unlikely Village of Eden is the undeniable proof that community empathy is how we thrive—and Emma and Eden are guiding lights, showing us how we can create a world that is more compassionate. I wept, I laughed, I felt the strength in her vulnerability as she told this story—I cannot recommend it enough.”—Rosanna Arquette, award-winning actress

“As a writer, Emma Nadler expertly masters the ability to convey the full range of her experiences as a mother, wife, friend, therapist, advocate, human. The Unlikely Village of Eden leaves the reader with a greater sense of understanding of families with children with disabilities and, just as importantly, reminds us that humans, especially parents, are more than the sum of their parts.”—Justin Vernon, founder and lead singer of Grammy-winning band Bon Iver

“The real gift of this engaging memoir is that Nadler’s lessons belong to all of us: letting go of perfection, building community, celebrating our children exactly as they are, and surviving the inevitable trials and disappointments of life.”—Christie Tate, bestselling author of Group