This Will All Be Over Soon

A Memoir

By: Cecily Strong

Narrated by: Cecily Strong

A powerful memoir from the Saturday Night Live cast member Cecily Strong about grieving the death of her cousin—and embracing the life-affirming lessons he taught her—amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Cecily Strong had a special bond with her cousin Owen. And so she was devastated when, in early 2020, he passed away at age thirty from the brain cancer glioblastoma. Before Strong could attempt to process her grief, another tragedy struck: the coronavirus pandemic. Following a few harrowing weeks in the virus epicenter of New York City, Strong relocated to an isolated house in the woods upstate. Here, trying to make sense of Owen’s death and the upended world, she spent much of the ensuing months writing. The result is This Will All Be Over Soon—a raw, unflinching memoir about loss, love, laughter, and hope.

Befitting the time-warped year of 2020, the diary-like approach deftly weaves together the present and the past. Strong chronicles the challenges of beginning a relationship during the pandemic and the fear when her new boyfriend contracts COVID. She describes the pain of losing her friend and longtime Saturday Night Live staff member Hal Willner to the virus. She reflects on formative events from her life, including how her high school expulsion led to her pursuing a career in theater and, years later, landing at SNL.

Yet the heart of the book is Owen. Strong offers a poignant account of her cousin’s life, both before and after his diagnosis. Inspired by his unshakable positivity and the valuable lessons he taught her, she has written a book that—as indicated by its title—serves as a moving reminder: whatever challenges life might throw one’s way, they will be over soon. And so will life. So make sure to appreciate every day and don’t take a second of it for granted.

Critic reviews

"Saturday Night Live star Cecily Strong narrates appealingly, often with raw emotion that fits the harrowing losses she experienced last year—the death of a favorite cousin to cancer, a new boyfriend stricken with COVID, and an SNL friend succumbing to the virus. Her pacing and comedic timing make listening easy, even when compact stories and vignettes appear in rapid succession like comedy one-liners. Her New York City street smarts provide an interesting contrast to the richness of her emotional life and her connection with her cousin, Owen. Memories of her formative years and path to comedy fame are also fun to hear, but it's her resilience and hope that are featured in this remarkable audio. Drawing on what she gained from Owen's love and support, her touching reflections will continue inspiring long after this absorbing audio is finished."

Disappointed

The author comes across as spoiled and whiny. Although the death of her wonderful and talented cousin is sad and tragic, she obviously has not endured a life that has brought her to maturity. She is immature and very clingy. I hope she postpones marriage and certainly children until she grows up. Motherhood could very likely put this girl into a mental health facility. Sorry. That’s just how the telling of her story (which mostly belongs to her cousin and his closer family members) comes across to this reader. Continued growth and success, though, to a witty and personable young “woman?”

just right for these weird times

excellent, honest depiction of grief, recovering spirit and being in the moment. thank you Cecily!

Healing

This Memoir is incredibly healing for those living with grief and those who have lived during the pandemic really facing it with rational fear.

Genuine and Heartfelt

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Cecily. Of course she’s a comedian; she’s also an actor. Every word of this was a privilege to hear. Thank you, Cecily, for allowing us to view a small portion of your experience over the past few years.

I wanted to love it

It was great in so many ways but a bit rambling and I felt like I just listened to one long therapy session. Rather depressing.