Two Women Walk into a Bar

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars | 11,639 ratings

Price: 1.99

Last update: 01-10-2025


About this item

Cheryl Strayed, the bestselling author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things, finds humor and connection in a poignant short memoir about love, family secrets, and reconciliation.

Twenty-one years after Cheryl Strayed set off on the Pacific Crest Trail to heal from the death of her beloved mother, Cheryl’s mother-in-law, Joan, is given weeks to live. As she and her husband help see Joan through her final days, Cheryl reckons with their complicated relationship, determined to connect with a woman who both showed her love and (sometimes hilariously) held her at a distance. Cheryl reflects on their two decades together as she comes to a deeper understanding of the secrets and sorrows in Joan’s complicated past. At Joan’s bedside, it’s time to contemplate the challenges they’ve faced, to accept their differences, and to find some healing in goodbye.


From the Publisher

The love of a mother-in-law. Try not to take it personally.

Top reviews from the United States

Linda Cadman Earl
5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing, Heartfelt and Honest Book
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2023
I loved this book. Cheryl Strayed writes the most incredible, honest depiction of her relationship with her mother-in-law that I have ever read. In its beauty and clarity, it brought tears to my eyes as she strained to understand and come to terms with her husband’s difficult and troubled mother. She writes so beautifully and with such wisdom and thoughtfulness, even gentleness, that this book made me think deeply about death, forgiveness, and the process of dying. I wish I had had this wise book many years ago.
Rachel H.
4.0 out of 5 stars A touching family story!
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2023
This was an Amazon Prime’s First Reads pick for December 2023. I picked this book because I loved “Tiny Beautiful Things” by Strayed, and also because this was a short story (and I’m way behind on my Goodreads challenge this year ????). However, I’m more than happy with this pick!

In this short story, we learn about Cheryl Strayed’s mother-in-law, Joan. Cheryl and Joan didn’t have a very close relationship with each other, only because Joan seemed distant through the years. However, when Joan is moved into an assisted living facility and placed under hospice care because she only has a short time left to live, we learn about Joan’s past and her upbringing.

Even though this was a short story, Strayed packed each page with emotion and I was invested from the first page until the last. I highly recommend reading this short story. It’s a very quick read, and well worth it.
BEST !!
5.0 out of 5 stars Complexity of relationships & misunderstanding love
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2024
Two women walked into a bar is about a mother and daughter- in-law , Joan and Cheryl Complex relationships in life , perhaps misunderstanding. At life’s end Cheryl brought the grandchildren to see mother one last time , both realizing their love for each other . Sweet, short read, highly recommend !!
#EmptyNestReader
3.0 out of 5 stars Challenges of love between a MIL and DIL
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2024
A short story of the challenges the author, Cheryl Strayed, experienced in attempting to befriending her mother-in-law, Joan. Cheryl and her MIL have always experienced some degree of conflict in their relationship. Joan’s love for Cheryl was limited and Cheryl often found herself on the outside, trying to understand why Joan remained so distant. “I knew her criticisms of my body said more about her than they did about me….

Now Joan is seriously ill and her days are numbered. Cheryl does her best to help her husband of 20 years care for his mother through this difficult transition. During these final days or weeks Cheryl decides to make one last attempt to form a closeness with her MIL. To build a bridge and find some shared love.

A thoughtful, touching memoir of the challenges experienced by two very different women, bound together by their love for the same man. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
mo
5.0 out of 5 stars Sad but Somehow Uplifting
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2024
This is an easy read, characters are easy to understand and get to know. The author is a very good writer and pulls you in without trying too hard; I finished this book while still feeling like it could have been longer, it’s that interesting. Highly recommend it.
Rachel
4.0 out of 5 stars wildly depressing but well written
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024
Boy, I didn’t expect this. All I saw was the title and author and jumped into this book about the end of a woman’s life as told by her daughter in law. Touching and heartbreaking, it’s worth reading but I wish I had been more ready for it. Also quite short
pam
5.0 out of 5 stars A great short read
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024
Thank you to both #netgalley and #AmazonOriginalStories for the copy of "Two Women Walk Into a Bar" by @cherylstrayed. 

In full disclosure, I went into this book totally blind and hadn't read the summary or description. Its been awhile since I've read  Ms Strayed's work and thought it would be enjoyable to read her book. And then I hadn't realized it was a short story - only 31 pages! This was such a great short story - I typically don't enjoy short stories. 

The timing of this book is particularly interesting for me as I'm dealing with my parents getting older and less able to care for themselves. Plus the obstinate nature of my mother to fully embrace and confront her situation. I enjoyed her poignant story of the last portion of her mother in law's life and how they navigated it as a family. Her take on why her mother in law is the way she is, is so gracious,  understanding and forgiving
H. Love
4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2024
This was a lovely, meaningful book about attachment, love, heartbreak, death, life, and family. I am noticing a pattern of reading a lot about grief this year, and I guess need to.

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