Review: Ghost Wife: A Memoir of Love and Defiance

Ghost Wife: A Memoir of Love and Defiance by Michelle Dicinoski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dicinoski writes a great memoir that contrasts her family's history with her pursuit to legitimate (at least in the eyes of the public) her relationship with her life-long partner and wife, Heather. The story revolves around Dicinoski and Heather traveling to Canada from Australia to get married in part to celebrate their love and in part to spite the bigotted policies of Australia. However, the narrative is more than just a "let's go to the chapel" story. Instead, Dicinoski explores how the failure for the culture to acknowledge her relationship is part of a story played out many times before with her family members who disappear in one way, shape, or form and it's this story--the story of invisibility--that is as moving as seeing Dicinoski and her partner solidify their love. In many ways, it parallels Dan Savage's memoir, The Commitment but has a very distinct flavor worth partaking.

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