Helpful Score: 4
American Widow is a graphic novel revealing the story of Alissa Torres who was left widowed at seven months pregnant by the tragedy of 9/11.
The story includes that fateful day up to the one-year anniversary with alternating flash backs including scenes of Eddie at 10-years old, his life before meeting Alissa and their courtship, marriage and pregnancy. In chapter one alone, my arms were covered with goose bumps. 9/11 was just Eddies second day at his new job with Cantor Fitzgerald. Included is Alissas deeply frustrating struggle with several assistance agencies and the government plus you see how different friends and family react to her circumstances.
The story exposed shows us just a glimmer of what surviving family members endured that I would have never imagined. When Alissas private thoughts are shared you get a sense of how difficult and confusing this time in her life was and you cant help but be affected by this deeply personal story.
The story includes that fateful day up to the one-year anniversary with alternating flash backs including scenes of Eddie at 10-years old, his life before meeting Alissa and their courtship, marriage and pregnancy. In chapter one alone, my arms were covered with goose bumps. 9/11 was just Eddies second day at his new job with Cantor Fitzgerald. Included is Alissas deeply frustrating struggle with several assistance agencies and the government plus you see how different friends and family react to her circumstances.
The story exposed shows us just a glimmer of what surviving family members endured that I would have never imagined. When Alissas private thoughts are shared you get a sense of how difficult and confusing this time in her life was and you cant help but be affected by this deeply personal story.
Helpful Score: 1
This book wasn't what I expected. American Widow is a graphic novel (comic book style). It makes for a very quick read and was actually enjoyable to me. It really makes you sympathize with the 9/11 widows and realize that the money didn't flow directly to them like everyone assumed. All the money that was donated to the Red Cross was tied up in corporate red tape for a very long time. Then the US government placed a value on the people whose lives were lost, and the older you were the less you were worth.
Alissa Torres was pregnant when her husband died on his second day of work at the Trade Center. The book covers the trauma of having to deal with the Red Cross, the US government, friends, the medical examiners office, the funeral, a new baby, and the family dog.
Alissa Torres was pregnant when her husband died on his second day of work at the Trade Center. The book covers the trauma of having to deal with the Red Cross, the US government, friends, the medical examiners office, the funeral, a new baby, and the family dog.
