Building a Home with My Husband: A Journey Through the Renovation of Love Hardcover - 2009

by Rachel Simon

The bestselling and highly acclaimed author of Riding the Bus with My Sisterreturns with an illuminating and tenderhearted memoir about theunexpected ways a home renovation can change a life.

Rachel Simon's historic home on a charming tree-lined street washardly ideal. It was too small, too dark, and there was a gaping hole inthe dining room ceiling. So when the house is burglarized, Rachel andher husband, Hal, agree it's time to sell. But in a difficult housing market,and with Hal being an architect, they soon realize: Why leave whenthey can renovate?

Rachel prepares herself for the disagreements and disasters that canaccompany a major home renovation. But what she isn't prepared foris the emotional journey that will blow open the seal around everythingshe thinks she knows about herself, about family, and about the misunderstandingsand resilience of love. From Hal's first design sketch tothe last stroke of paint, memories of a difficult childhood, friendshipsleft behind, challenges with siblings, and an improbable path to marriagecome bursting out. Once the dust settles, Rachel is astonishedby the many gems revealed along the way-and comes to discoverprofound insights about the construction, demolition, and renovationof personal connections.

Featuring beloved characters from Riding the Bus with My Sister andwritten with Simon's signature breathtaking prose, Building a Homewith My Husband is a wise and poignant reflection on love's endlesspossibilities and the extraordinary endurance of the human spirit.