How a 35% survival chance became a literary triumph

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2011, doctors gave Suleika Jaouad a grim prognosis: a 35% chance of surviving acute myeloid leukemia. Instead of retreating, the American writer transformed her medical battle into a profound exploration of what it means to live between two worlds.

Suleika Jaouad’s life has been defined by a state of 'dual citizenship,' a concept she borrowed from Susan Sontag to describe the tension between the kingdoms of the well and the sick. Her 2021 memoir, *Between Two Kingdoms*, chronicles her struggle with leukemia, detailing the physical and emotional toll of her diagnosis, treatment, and eventual recovery. The book, published by Random House, earned widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers from *Publishers Weekly* and *Booklist* praising its candor and lyrical hope.

The medical reality Jaouad faced was stark. Following her initial 2011 diagnosis, she navigated the complexities of a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia. Her journey has not been a single victory, however; in December 2021, she announced the return of her cancer, necessitating a second bone marrow transplant. Matthew Heineman’s documentary, *American Symphony*, depicts the battle following the illness's third resurgence during summer 2024.

Beyond her memoir, Jaouad has established herself as a significant voice in contemporary American letters. She authored the 'Life, Interrupted' column for *The New York Times* Well blog—a series that earned an Emmy award for its video adaptation—and has written for *Vogue*, *NPR*, and *Glamour*. Her academic background is equally diverse, spanning a Near Eastern studies major at Princeton University to an MFA from Bennington College. Today, she works as an advocate and speaker, using her experiences to teach writing and wellness workshops across the United States.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• From Physician to Best-Selling Author: The Dual Life of Khaled Hosseini
• How a teenage cancer drama became a global box office phenomenon
• How Ahlam Mosteghanemi became the first Algerian woman to write literature in Arabic
• From a council flat to the global stage of activism
• How Jesmyn Ward transformed the landscape of American literature through her Mississippi roots
• Earth’s continents are locked in a rhythmic dance of assembly and inevitable breakup
• Is the subantarctic a precise geographic zone or a shifting, contested scientific frontier?
• How a 28-year hiatus ended in a historic Grammy sweep
• Is China building a string of pearls to encircle India and control trade routes?
• What defines a superpower, and does the United States still hold the title?
• Stone Gossard: The Architect of Grunge Who Shaped the Sound of a Generation
• Surveyors turn angles and distances into legal ground truth

More in Basics · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics