Super Short Summary

Half a Life by Darin Strauss is an award-winning memoir recounting the tragic event in his youth that forever altered his life path. Shortly before graduating high school, Strauss accidentally kills a young woman, Celine Zilke, in a car accident. Though not deemed at fault, he is deeply affected by the incident, promising her grieving mother to live a life for two. The memoir details the ensuing guilt, his struggles with acceptance, and how the event shapes his relationships and career as a writer. Sensitive topics include the accidental death of a young person and the emotional and psychological aftermath.