American Widow: Book Club Members Share Their Thoughts

Yesterday Alissa Torres shared the story about what inspired her to write her memoir, American Widow, as a graphic novel. Today some of the members of a reading group she recently met with share their perspective on American Widow and on having Alissa join their discussion of the book. Click here to watch a video of Alissa talking about her memoir.


Alissa Torres was inspiring and uplifting. She is an amazing woman and an excellent speaker. Her story is horrific and compelling and a reminder that it could have been any of us. It was fascinating hearing how she got to write the book and why she chose that format. It is unforgettable and having her at our book club was a special treat. ---Cathy Abrams

Alissa's presentation at our book club meeting was straightforward, honest and informative. She was easy to listen to and understand, and more than willing to answer the questions that were addressed to her. Her presentation brought the experiences depicted in her book to life. Her discussion of the publishing industry and the challenges she faced getting her book published was most interesting. ---Nancy Mendelow

Alissa would be a great addition to a book group meeting because she is so natural. She doesn't produce "canned" sound bytes...she listens and responds thoughtfully to questions. She has enought perspective on her tragedy to be able to talk about it, yet she is still close enough to that terrible time to bring the experience with her, in a fresh way. ---Ann Berman

As they say, "There's nothing like the real thing, baby." Alissa expanded the emotions and thoughts you had with this book. She is truly an honest and sincere American Widow, and meeting her in person expanded my thoughts on the book. She was enlightening in explaining "why her amongst all the victims of 9/11." And she (unlike other writers) had the imagination to do this book as a cartoon. ---Lynn Dawson