Smile cover art

Smile

The Story of a Face

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Smile

Written by: Sarah Ruhl
Narrated by: Sarah Ruhl
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About this listen

 * A People Best Book of the Year * Time and The Washington Post’s Most Anticipated List * Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence *

From the MacArthur genius, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, and playwright, this “captivating, insightful memoir” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) is “a beautiful meditation on identity and how we see ourselves” (Real Simple).

With a play opening on Broadway, and every reason to smile, Sarah Ruhl has just survived a high-risk pregnancy when she discovers the left side of her face is completely paralyzed. She is assured that 90 percent of Bell’s palsy patients experience a full recovery—like Ruhl’s own mother. But Sarah is in the unlucky ten percent. And for a woman, wife, mother, and artist working in theater, the paralysis and the disconnect between the interior and exterior brings significant and specific challenges. So Ruhl begins an intense decade-long search for a cure while simultaneously grappling with the reality of her new face—one that, while recognizably her own—is incapable of accurately communicating feelings or intentions.

In a series of piercing, profound, and lucid meditations, Ruhl chronicles her journey as a patient, wife, mother, and artist. She explores the struggle of a body yearning to match its inner landscape, the pain of postpartum depression, the story of a marriage, being a playwright and working mom to three small children, and the desire for a resilient spiritual life in the face of illness.

An intimate and “stunning” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) examination of loss and reconciliation, “Ruhl reminds us that a smile is not just a smile but a vital form of communication, of bonding, of what makes us human” (The Washington Post). Brimming with insight, humility, and levity, Smile is a triumph by one of America’s leading playwrights. Medical Professionals & Academics Women Marriage Celebrity Theatre Meditation

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What the critics say

"Playwright Sarah Ruhl narrates her beautiful memoir with a sense of never-ending curiosity and wonder. Just after giving birth to twins, she develops Bell’s palsy, which paralyzes half her face. As she gets used to her new visage, she embarks on a journey of discovery, exploring topics such as the history of medicine and the ways that women are socialized to smile. In a series of thoughtful meditations, she examines motherhood, marriage, the creative process, loss, transformation, womanhood, and so much more. Her narration, like her prose, is flowing and lovely. She’s deeply interested in the world — not just in her small world, but also the larger human world — and it comes through as she narrates, her voice inviting readers to share her experiences with irresistible warmth."
All stars
Most Relevant
Very moving. Helpful to understand the human experience. I’ll think about this book when i smile. Going to seek out more writing by this author. Highly recommend.

Beautifully written & Narrated

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I enjoyed the author's tempo while narating her story. She had thoughtful insight into what a smile means in our North American culture. Listening to her tell her story often felt like I was having coffee with a friend. As a mother, I could identify with her, even though I haven't had bell's palsy. A calm and thought provoking read.

It felt like hanging out with a friend.

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Great book, gives you everything of how adversaries can impact you and how one tries to overcome it. i wish the writer could elaborate more on the feelings and moments. The 2nd half of the book felt like a quick journal of the milestones. I personally prefer to know less but with more depth. Still a great book to listen to/read and i suggest it to everyone. Thank you Sarah!

Enjoyed it and i wished for more

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