TRAVELING SOLO

Williams recounts her chronic illness and her decision to end her life on her own terms in this wrenching memoir.

After a divorce, the author decided that a change of locale and pace, from New York to San Francisco, was just what the proverbial doctor ordered. Little did she know that almost until the day she died, a succession of actual doctors’ orders awaited her. To make her move official, Williams took part in the uniquely San Franciscan “Bay to Breakers” footrace and experienced symptoms of her mysterious illness for the first time. Before more frequent episodes derailed her life, the author remarried, gave birth to one daughter, and adopted another. With symptoms appearing unpredictably, her quest for a cure was an arduous one, complicated by an elusive definitive diagnosis. Williams acts as both detective and documentarian as she leads readers through this quest, assiduously delineating the chain of events that led to a Swiss organization that offers physician-assisted suicide, which would grant her the peace of mind to retake control of her life. While the gravity of the author’s illness is ever present, this memoir also highlights her sense of adventure and wonder; her dry wit, which eased the sting of low moments (when one of her daughters commented that her sister’s children were going to be wild, Williams replied, “Well, at least I won’t be around to see that”); loving examples of true friendship, family, and therapeutic support; and her dedication to spiritually uplifting philanthropy. While Williams’ choice to end her life might discomfort or even anger those with religious or spiritual beliefs that don’t align with her decision, this detailed account of her valiant and tenacious fight to live is a stirring testament to having the right to choose.

A moving account of reckoning with a mysterious illness.