At the age of forty-three, Miriam Engelberg learned she had breast cancer--stage two and then metastatic.  In one phone call, her entire world changed.  As mother to a four-year-old, Miriam's life became a course of "what if" and "why me."  As she became addicted to crossword puzzles as a means to handle her diagnosis, Miriam also decided to try what a handful of other authors have done.  She picked up her pen and wrote her memoir, in a graphic (comic) format.

CANCER MADE ME SHALLOWER is not an easy read.  The comic format is unique and matched with the subject matter, it is like nothing you will have read before.  However, I also found myself reading it with tears pouring down my face.  I would read a page and reminisce about two long-time family friends who lost their battles with breast cancer.  For that reason, I found it took me quite some time to read the 114 pages.  Granted, not everyone will have this reaction, but hopefully most will.  Breast cancer is not a comical subject and Miriam Engelberg treats it with honesty and realism.

In the end, Miriam Engelberg's memoir is an outstanding piece of work.  It is emotional and often hard to read, but she gives a full account of her life from diagnosis through treatment in a forthright manner.