Erica Heller

Adult nonfiction; biographical essays. Joseph's daughter is a good writer, but the book is better if you read it as a collection of essays (as in, pick selections but don't bother to read straight through) rather than a narrative biography. I ended up skipping a bunch of "chapters" towards the end because the thing just went on and on, seemingly without any sort of direction. Perhaps it would be better if read a chapter or so at a time, as if Erica is sharing one anecdote at a time over the course of many, many, many conversations, rather than a whole pile of anecdotes digested over 3 or four sittings.… (más)

One Last Lunch: A Final Meal with Those Who Meant So Much to Us by Erica Heller is a collection of essays from 49 people all imagining a final meal with a loved one who has passed away. Contributors include children, friends, acquaintances, and professional colleagues of writers, actors, and other well known personalities, such as Julia Child, Paul Newman, Prince, and Nora Ephron. Heller is the daughter of Joseph Heller, the author of Catch-22, and the book begins and ends with her own essays about lunches with her father.

I love this book. I recommend it for anyone who has lost a loved one. Read my interview with Erica Heller to learn more about the book and what inspired her.… (más)