Reviewed by Jess
TITLE: Held Together: A True Story of Love’s Victory 
AUTHOR: Jenny Q
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 474 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2018
BLURB:
In January of 2014, Joshua Tree’s beloved village herbalist, Jenny Q. suddenly became seriously ill and rapidly descended into a coma with slender chance of survival. The shock of this news initiated an overwhelming outpouring of love, wit, service, practical magic and sharing of spiritual wisdom between those in her intimate desert community. Indeed it seemed that the entire group became one in their desperate effort and race against the clock to save her life.
While the words of others in the community tell the story in this book, it is Jenny’s own insightful writings that provide a fascinating window into a range of rare experiences. She gives us a unique glimpse into the mysterious worlds encountered while in a coma, the absolute alteration of losing one’s legs, the subtle venom of PTSD, the nightmare of withdrawal from prescription opiates, and the maddening frustration of having to re-learn basic skills previously taken for granted such as the ability to walk.
This is a story of love and tenacity which speaks to the power of a mother’s connection to her child and of the fierce determination and dedication of a lover who, faced with unthinkable tragedy during the tender stages of a new and beautiful relationship, managed to create a sacred moment amidst the ravages of sepsis and the wounds of surgery to propose to her best friend.
Though Held Together ruthlessly explores dark and often fear-filled places, it is ultimately a celebration of human will, the value of community and the power of love. This book will inspire and light a path for every person caught in a struggle against all odds.
REVIEW:
This is a very unique read. It’s unlike most of the books we read and review here on Love Bytes—not fiction and not quite romance, but still filled with LGBT love and perspective. It’s an impressive feat of collaborative non-fiction that takes risk with experimental style and format to tell an amazing story of love, family, and perseverance.
Through short blurbs, poems, anecdotes, and testimonials written by dozens of people in Jenny Q’s inner circle, we get to know the woman in question along with her partner Myshka, her daughter Yazzy, and her extended and multicultural found family during a huge health crisis that almost killed Jenny Q in 2014. The tension rises and peaks, putting us right in that fated hospital room, and then it breaks, and we’re left to heal with all those who love Jenny Q.
I’ll fully admit that this isn’t the sort of book I’d normally choose for myself. I enjoy non-fiction, but I’m really not the holistic, home-schooling, Deadhead type of gal. I respect and understand the lifestyle, but it isn’t one I am drawn to in life or literature. This book didn’t exactly turn me into a hippie, but it certainly opened my eyes to how the particular lifestyle deals with pain, loss, and healing. Though I don’t agree with every aspect of Jenny Q’s lifestyle, I empathized with her every step of the way.
My biggest issues came with the organization of this book. It’s easy to fall in love with Jenny Q and become completely engrossed in her harrowing journey, but the collaborative nature of this book didn’t always fall together neatly. It almost felt like there was a call to submissions for those with love Jenny Q—and some of those “submissions” were a lot better than others. Some of them were on par with a candid conversation or a sappy Facebook testimonial. The love is there, but sometimes the translation was a little stilted—and all I cared about was getting to know Jenny on a deeper level.
Though the book isn’t wholly successful as a cohesive memoir, I would still recommend it as a sharp read filled with love, emotion, and unique perspectives. It’s a good pick when you need something fresh and new. It surprised me, and it will surprise you.
RATING: 
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