I Was a Good Wife: A Self Portrait

I will always be the one who left.

I never thought I would get married, and then I did. I was married for 11 years thinking I would never get divorced, but I did that too. Everything I thought I knew about myself unraveled.

This is what happened when I decided to leave my marriage. This is a self-portrait of my becoming.
(If I could’ve just painted this book, I would have.)

Listen to the playlist on SoundCloud.

Masterful capture of the heartbreak of divorce. Ms. Gurley's lens on a marriage shattered captured my attention immediately and I had a hard time putting down this epic poem of a tale of moving up, out, through, and across the divide of the spaces between being married and divorced. As someone who has experienced much of what is shared in this book, I found myself riveted at the shared experience and pseudo re-telling of my own narrative in the words of a much more eloquent storyteller! I had felt so alone during my divorce-I wish this book had been around then so I could know I was not alone. For such a tome, this book is an easy read, digestible, and reveals more vulnerability and courage than I anticipated. I felt like made a kindred friend along the journey and am grateful to have stumbled upon this particular telling of changing relationships that lead to a personal evolution. So cool!

Erin MacCoy
This book is real life. Speaks to what it is like to feel stifled in a marriage and not be able to be yourself. Writer was very vulnerable expressing what it really feels like and what it is like to break free and start over. The journey of discovering what it is like to start over while dealing with the end of a marriage. Never read a book that is so honest holding nothing back to what this journey was like for her. Thanks Liz for taking us on this journey with you!

Paula
Amazingly real view into someone who left the life she had behind to find out who she might become. Read it in 2 days.

Mae S
Speaks the truth. Liz shares her real feelings, which is entertaining and relatable! Many times I found myself saying “me too!” The book looks thick, but pages are not all full so it’s not a long read. I enjoyed it and could think of many friends to recommend it to!

Eden B
Authentic and raw. I read this memoir in under a week. In that week I felt like I was on this journey of self discovery and acceptance alongside Liz. She doesn’t mince words nor does she sugarcoat those raw and real emotions. She’s unapologetic about who she is, is becoming—if only I could be so brave. It feels a little silly to say it was inspiring to read because it was about her pain. Yet it was awe-inspiring. Her last line—which I won’t repeat here—*chef’s kiss. That is all.

MK
A book for all who have tried their best at a relationship and suffer the consequence. I found solace, comradery, humor, sadness, despair, and hope in this vulnerable story of the emotional aftermath of an ended marriage. Liz’s description of this trying period in her life is honest and insightful…I dog eared many a pages that struck a chord, or pages which gave me a better understanding of my own emotional toil following a break up. And speaking of pages, don’t let the 800 count scare you away. So much attention went into the formatting of the book to make it a visual work of art too, leaving lots of white space to make the book a page turner. Also, pay attention to the left/center/right justification of the sentences on the page; there’s a purpose and insight there too!

Alicia Reads
Beautiful, elegant, classy - Liz is a talented WordWitch. Many times I had to set this book down and come back to it as the raw emotion stirred a lot of things inside me. This is a book to sit in solitude with … this is a book to BE with. Loving Liz & her ability to say things in ways the heart wants to be heard. Grateful for the spells she has spun within these pages.

Amazon Customer
Liz is the real deal. This book is shockingly real and raw. I was afraid I wouldn’t resonate with it as someone who hasn’t been married, but I was glaringly wrong. Liz writes with an incredible depth that drew me in immediately. Her story is meaningful and applicable to all women. I’m only half way through and can’t wait to devour the rest... then give it to all my girlfriends to read!!!

Bri Seeley
Thank you for sharing the hard, the dark, and the not so pretty parts. There are many women hurting just the same and your brilliant words bring light and hope. You were a good wife.

Andrea
I really enjoyed reading the book; I laughed, I cried, I was in suspense. I felt like I was right there.

Christopher Ray
WOW, WOW, WOW, Liz is an AMAZING wordsmith.

Darlene Ward
Format is very different and quirky. Took awhile to get used to it but then I liked the one liners and brief accounts on a page and wondered what would follow. Brutally honest account of the ending of a marriage and finding oneself again. Your real self. No holds barred. Funny, sad, sexy, raw and brutal at times. It drew me in to the heartache and hope of the author. Clever imaginative writing. I’m sure we’ll see another book in the future, I hope so!

elinam
Stellar Read! This book is so unique, and so beautifully raw. Liz pours her heart into every lovingly written word and bravely lays her truth on each page. This book is about so much more than just divorce. It's a woman's story of finding her true self after everything seemingly crumbles around her. But as she picks back up the pieces, she is able to create life on her own terms for maybe the first time. It's a story about triumph, healing, and truth, told with refreshing honesty and delightful humor.

Amber Hargett
A life falling apart? Or coming back together? This book is such a unique look at a life falling apart, or perhaps it’s a life coming back together for the first time in a long time. Liz takes you along on a heartbreaking and inspiring journey of love lost and self love found again. In a flattering and creative layout she lets you get a glimpse into her beautiful soul. Worth the read and the healing.

Elizabeth Mihelich
Beautifully written in a creative poetic style. Every word perfectly chosen and placed. Thoughtful, provocative, heartfelt, transformative. A very deep dive into the mind and emotions of an intelligent woman after a difficult relationship. I read it in three sittings, fascinated by every word, every page. At the outset, my thoughts were on Liz and her amazing journey. At the end, my thoughts were on my own life-- where it is, where it could be, where it should be. Isn’t that the purpose of really good writing: to challenge readers to aspire to a better place. Highly recommended.

Nick
A beautifully written portrait of divorce. Liz takes a very difficult life experience, strips it down to the core and lays it bare for the reader to experience as she experienced it. She truly paints a masterpiece with just a few strokes. Highly recommend!

Nicole Foshee
Stunningly real. Such a well crafted and healing book! So many times while reading I had to put it down because I began to cry when seeing so much of myself in the pages. It's written exactly how women (especially) think, feel, doubt themselves, and learn to hear their own voice, and the guilt that women often carry for feeling certain things (that we think we're not allowed to think/feel) weighs heavy in the tone. We often just accept that voice of second guessing without question. This book has inspired me to delve deeper into my own emotions and embrace ritual. Liz aggressively deconstructs her emotions and thoughts in ways that never even occurred to me before. She is bursting with creativity and applied that gift to her own unfolding and growth. I am learning so much about myself in this book. There is much wisdom to be found. I applaud Liz for boldly and sincerely putting the most sacred secrets of her heart and mind on display. Through her journey and growth I've found aspects of myself I thought had been lost forever. Highly recommend this read to anyone, whether you can relate to marriage/divorce, or not, there's something here for you. May your road lead you to warm sands.

Rasaja Wolfe

I Was a Good Wife: A Self Portrait

Amazingly real view into someone who left the life she had behind to find out who she might become. Read it in 2 days.

Speaks the truth. Liz shares her real feelings, which is entertaining and relatable! Many times I found myself saying “me too!” The book looks thick, but pages are not all full so it’s not a long read. I enjoyed it and could think of many friends to recommend it to!

Thank you for sharing the hard, the dark, and the not so pretty parts. There are many women hurting just the same and your brilliant words bring light and hope. You were a good wife.

I really enjoyed reading the book; I laughed, I cried, I was in suspense. I felt like I was right there.

WOW, WOW, WOW, Liz is an AMAZING wordsmith.

A beautifully written portrait of divorce. Liz takes a very difficult life experience, strips it down to the core and lays it bare for the reader to experience as she experienced it. She truly paints a masterpiece with just a few strokes. Highly recommend!

I Left a Stranger: A Coming Out & Into Estrangement