One of the New York Times’ 20 Books to Read in 2020

“A tonic . . . Splendid . . . A respite . . . A summer cocktail of a book.”—Washington Post

“Unforgettable . . . Behind her brilliantly witty and uplifting message is a remarkable vulnerability and candor that reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles—and that we can, against all odds, get through them.”—Lori Gottlieb, New York Times best-selling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

Part memoir and part joyful romp through the fields of imagination, the story behind a beloved pseudonymous Twitter account reveals how a writer deep in grief rebuilt a life worth living.

Becoming Duchess Goldblatt is two stories: that of the reclusive real-life writer who created a fictional character out of loneliness and thin air, and that of the magical Duchess Goldblatt herself, a bright light in the darkness of social media. Fans around the world are drawn to Her Grace’s voice, her wit, her life-affirming love for all humanity, and the fun and friendship of the community that’s sprung up around her.

@DuchessGoldblat (81 year-old literary icon, author of An Axe to Grind) brought people together in her name: in bookstores, museums, concerts, and coffee shops, and along the way, brought real friends home—foremost among them, Lyle Lovett.

“The only way to be reliably sure that the hero gets the girl at the end of the story is to be both the hero and the girl yourself.” — Duchess Goldblatt

A Memoir on Grief and Healing: Discover the true story of the anonymous author who, paralyzed by loss, created a fictional alter ego to find her way back to life.
Finding Friendship Online: Witness the surprising and heartwarming formation of a genuine community, as strangers connect through the wit and wisdom of a character made of thin air.
An Unlikely Connection: Follow the remarkable, real-life friendship that blossoms between the fictional Duchess Goldblatt and legendary musician Lyle Lovett.
The Power of a Created Self: A candid and vulnerable look at identity, loneliness, and the profound truth that sometimes, the character we create is the person we need to become.