“Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies” By Michael Ausiello

A book about anal cancer does not usually scream “Beach read!” However, in this case I would disagree. “Spoiler Alert The Hero Dies,” by Michael Ausiello describes itself as a “memoir about love, loss and other four letter words.” On the day of their wedding, at city hall, Ausiello’s partner photographer Christopher “Kit” Cowan is diagnosed with a rare form of neuroendocrine cancer. Eleven months later, Kit will be dead, but that does not take away from the power and the glory of this funny and poignant memoir. Ausiello was no stranger to the spotlight himself, as he is a long-time television columnist, senior writer at TV Guide, and founder of the website TVline.com. He was together with Cowan for more than 13 years until the cancer diagnosis, and rather than pull them apart, the prognosis brought them closer together.  Some of the best passages in this book focus on the couple as they navigate the complicated sea of medical doctors one has to deal with following a terminal diagnosis. Ausiello is a terrific advocate for Cowan and even though you know the hero dies in the end, you are so happy he has love up until his last breath. This book is honest and heartbreaking, but more than anything else, just genuine down to its core. Humor helps people cope, and this book is a shining testament to the strength of laughter.  To purchase this book on Amazon click here.