It was a note from the library that sent me to this book, “While you’re waiting” for a novel that hasn’t come in yet. Kara Kavensky’s Tell Me About Joy is subtitled “A True Story of Love, Regrets, and Second Chances”. It wasn’t what I expected. I knew it was an account of a nonagenarian who was looking for the love of his life. I didn’t realize it was also Kavensky’s story.
Kavensky met Bob Albright when she interviewed World War II veterans who appeared for a friend who immersed his fifth grade students in historical experiences. He brought in veterans to talk to the students. Kavensky interviewed a number of them including Albright who was a military photographer sent to the Pacific theater. On their second meeting, Bob said “I missed out on marrying the love of my life.” He told her he was almost 90 and needed her to find Joy, Martha Joy Basan.
While Kara Kavensky was interested in finding if Joy was alive, married, or dead, she was struggling with her own marriage. She’d married her husband when she was pregnant, and stayed with him for the sake of their three children. She’s almost ready to divorce him, but wants her oldest child in college. And, despite the fact she’s in therapy, she refuses to admit she’s a victim of emotional abuse.
Half of a spoiler alert – Kavensky finds Joy, and there are pictures of Bob and Joy in the book. But, I’m not going to tell the entire story of Bob and Joy and their love story. That’s interspersed with Kavensky’s story of a struggle, her relationship with her husband, and her decisions and PTSD.
While I enjoyed Bob and Joy’s story, I had problems with all of Kaensky’s various therapy attempts. It seemed as if she followed in her mother’s footsteps, and tried aspects of all kinds of therapy. Maybe it worked for her. It didn’t work for me to read about all of the various styles. But, that’s my personal issue.
I did appreciate the quotes in the book. “Forgiveness means letting go of the hope for a better past.” – Unknown
And, because my motto is “Joy”, I liked this.
“The ancient Egyptians believed that upon entering the afterlife,
one was asked two questions,
and, depending on the answers
could continue their journey:
Did you bring joy?
Did you find joy?”
Kara Kavensky’s website is https://www.karakavensky.com/home
Tell Me About Joy: A True Story of Love, Regrets, and Second Chances by Kara Kavensky. Sourcebooks, 2026. 288p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
