Between Two Kingdoms cover art

Between Two Kingdoms

What Almost Dying Taught Me About Living

 Preview
Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Between Two Kingdoms

By: Suleika Jaouad
Narrated by: Suleika Jaouad
Try Standard free

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

We all face moments that bring us to our knees: heartbreak, trauma, illness. When things don't go to plan this is the book to reach for - an inspirational memoir about what the struggle to survive teaches us about how to live.

At just 22, on the cusp of adult life, Suleika Jaouad was diagnosed with leukaemia and given a 35 per cent chance of survival. For the next five years, her world comprised four white walls, a hospital bed, fluorescent lights, tubes and wires. She became patient 5624. At 27, and celebrating her first year of remission, Suleika realised that, having survived, she now had no idea how to live. And so she set out to meet some of the many strangers who had written to her about their experiences of life, death, healing and recovery in response to her Emmy-Award winning New York Times column, 'Life Interrupted'. Between Two Kingdoms is the result. Drawing on Suleika's TED Talk, now with 2.8 million views, it illuminates universal questions about how we live, mourn, heal and grow up, and what it means to begin again.

©2021 Suleika Jaouad (P)2021 Penguin Audio Heartfelt Survival

Critic Reviews

"'A propulsive, soulful story of mourning and gratitude - and an intimate portrait of one woman's sojourn in the wilderness between life and death." (Tara Westover, author of Educated)

"A deeply touching account of learning to live in the now, because nothing else is promised. I loved it." (Kathryn Mannix, author of With the End in Mind)

"Changing the conversation about what it means to thrive in the wake of illness and life's unexpected interruptions." (TED)
All stars
Most relevant
This book was heartfelt, raw and insightful. Beautifully read by the author, this is one of those books that will change the way you see the world. It will permanently alter your perspective and leave you feeling grateful for the everyday things currently taken for granted.

Will change the way you see the world…

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I sucked my breath in more than a few times as Suleika describes her treatment and symptoms of her rare cancer - her beautifully written story connected me to her strength and will to survive. I often found tears streaming down my face as she described another set back or joy when she had a win. I found it profoundly honest and intimate and feel so grateful to have read

Loved this book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I adored this and will be forever grateful to have found it. This is SO much more powerful having been narrated by Suleika herself, what an incredible writer and woman.

Absolutely stunning

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I could barely breath listening to this book. So beautifully read and written. I’m sad to leave this poignant world. Thank you Suleika

Amazingly stunning book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An authentic, wear your heart in your sleeve, account of challenges and tribulations, strengths and weaknesses, whilst enduring a battle with cancer. easy listening voice, well written and well delivered.

True and authentic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.