Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies
| Company type | Memoir |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Michael Ausiello |
| Products | Memoir book |
Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies is a 2017 memoir authored by Michael Ausiello that recounts his marriage to Kit Cowan, who succumbed to aggressive neuroendocrine cancer in 2015. The narrative spans their fourteen-year partnership and the eleven months Cowan battled the illness. The memoir came to fruition after an editor at Simon & Schuster, following Ausiello's updates on Facebook regarding Cowan's condition, expressed interest in publishing the story. Ausiello composed the book as a tribute to Cowan, openly confronting difficulties such as infidelity and marijuana use, deliberately steering clear of an idealized depiction. Praised for its blend of humor and emotional depth, the memoir was later adapted into the 2022 film Spoiler Alert.
Background
This memoir is rooted in Ausiello's firsthand experience with Cowan's terminal cancer and their shared life journey. Following Cowan's passing in February 2015, an editor reached out to Ausiello with the proposal to capture his story in writing. The book traces their relationship from its inception through to Cowan's death, emphasizing both their affection and the hardships they faced. Ausiello sought to present a truthful account rather than a polished or idealized version of events.
Critical reception
Overall, the memoir garnered favorable critiques. Terri Schlichenmeyer of The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide commended its ironic wit and honest portrayal of coping with terminal illness within a relationship. J. Corbett Holmes from The Desert Sun noted the effective combination of humor, emotion, and tragedy. Lincee Ray of the Associated Press characterized the work as "both deeply moving and unexpectedly humorous."
According to Kirkus Reviews, it is "anchored in the realities of contemporary relationships and the inevitable reality of mortality," while Publishers Weekly appreciated the subject matter but occasionally found the prose "somewhat light."
Other
The book has received endorsements from notable figures such as Andy Cohen, Andrew Rannells, and J. J. Abrams.
Film adaptation
The 2022 American biographical romantic drama film Spoiler Alert, featuring performances by Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge, is an adaptation of this memoir.