What Doesn't Kill You by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant

Review by Gypsy Culp Houston--LOVED IT!!

Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant have done it again! They have crafted a story that is worthwhile and indicative of economic situations of many folks today. Tee, the main character, could easily be someone I know or even one of my friends from college.

As the book opens we see Tee right after her daughter’s wedding. Through a series of flashbacks and forwards we get the story of her being “downsized,” waking up in bed with a handsome not-so-stranger, and other events of her life. DeBerry and Grant did a great job of giving Tee a real voice throughout the entire story. Her thoughts and actions seem to organically flow. There was never a time when I thought, “Would she really say or do that?”

What Doesn’t Kill You is the story of a woman coming into her own. Sure, there were setbacks, but Tee was able to push through and keep it moving. Of course, like many of us, she wallowed in self-pity and denial for quite a while before recognizing her potential, hopes and desires. Once she got out of the do nothing, self-pitying mode, Tee was able to leave the house, conquer her aversion to computers, get a new job and eventually start her own business. Thankfully, she had the support of a good friend, a good man and her daughter to help keep her motivated.

During the course of the book, Tee learns a lot about herself and the world she has created for herself to live in. The friends she thought she had really were not friends, the man she had wasn’t hers and the things she always thought important, were really not. She learned that friends will be with you not only for the fun things, but also for the hard times. This is evidenced by her growing friendship with Julie, whom she never really considered a friend before the layoff. It wasn’t until meeting her married man’s ex, and then his current, that Tee realized she was very low on his list of priorities and needed a man that she didn’t have to sneak around to see. The world she had created was a world of designer names, manicured lawns and name dropping. Once her world began to shake, she saw it break like glass and tumble around her feet. In her new world, Tee finds that life is too short for coulda, woulda shoulda and learns to live each day to the fullest.

I would recommend this book to anyone that knows the pain of loosing a job, or would like to gain a better understanding. As usual DeBerry and Grant did an excellent job of drawing you into the story and the main character. My only criticism is that I would have liked a little more character development from the supporting characters. I guess that’s what sequels are for.