The Family Outing is a memoir of a family of 5 who almost all eventually identify as queer, with each having their own unique coming out story.
At times funny, at times poignant, and at other times simply heartbreaking, The Family Outing is worth the read. Between her mother’s PTSD from a close encounter with a famed serial killer, to her father’s outing, to her brother’s difficulties finding medical care that was appropriate for his transition, Hempel is sensitive to her subjects. She tried to be objective, despite the deeply personal nature of her topic, and works to unpack her family’s traumas and transformations with consideration.
My only drawback with this book is that the ending seems altogether too quick. Each story is wrapped up in a little more than a chapter, and some of the stories felt like they deserved more.
Originally intended to simply focus on book reviews, over time, KaliDesautelsReads has morphed into its own entity.
I write about issues that are near to my heart, be they political, feminist, motherhood, mental health, or, as the title holds, books.
A thirty-something Canadian woman in my mid-thirties, I have been "super married" to my high school sweetheart since 2006, and together we have two crazy, clever, kind, hilarious, wonderful kids.
My first book - How Not To Blog: Finding Myself, One Post at a Time is available on Amazon (in eBook formats for you clever tech readers, and paperback for those of us who love that new book smell!)
I have tried a podcast - it's still on Apple and Google Podcasts - but writing is where my heart is.
My life changed dramatically when my husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer in 2018, and I am now a writer for a leading Canadian Cancer Non-Profit.
I am lucky enough to have a family that loves me and pushes me to be my best, even if it is outside of my cushiony comfort zone. I have a village of friends that nourish me, mentally, and spiritually.
Welcome to my thoughts. Sit down. Stay a while. Enjoy a cup of coffee!
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KaliDesautelsSpeaks 