Little Earthquakes

“Sarah Mandel has done something remarkable here. I found myself weeping, laughing with delight and moved with love–all in the span of the day it took me to devour this book. Filled with deliciously specific images and metaphors, clear dialogue, and rich explorations of self and others, Mandel has written–among other things–a tender witness statement of and for her body.” – Hala Alyan, author of Salt Houses

“This book is a foghorn. Yes it’s murky, yes we’re afraid, but Sarah Mandel is a robust and gentle guide through illness, recovery, and trauma. And Little Earthquakes is a love song to life.” – Catherine Newman, author of We All Want Impossible Things

”[Mandel] nimbly portrays the cocktail of emotions unearthed by the sentence ‘You’ve got cancer, ’ and paints her supportive family with staggering compassion. Her dogged fight for her life will awe readers.” – Publishers Weekly

”… an encouraging story of trauma and how it affects one’s understanding of self.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Couples dealing with cancer, or any other major setback, will find comfort in Mandel’s beautifully written, moving memoir.” – Booklist, starred review

“Open, honest, painful, inspiring and thought-provoking, this memoir is precious.” – Good Morning America

Sarah Mandel was a clinical psychologist based in New York City. She lived in Manhattan with her husband and two daughters. She died peacefully on June 1, 2024, weeks shy of her 43rd birthday.