YvonneMy new book this week, arrived as the result of direct contact with the lovely Gen, Marketing Co-ordinator at publisher Austin Macauley.
I must admit that I needed to think long and hard about accepting this book for anything other than promotional posts, as the subject matter is a little too close for comfort for me personally and I am a little concerned that given the authors medical background, the story may be, by default, more fact than fiction.
However, the decision I took about reading for review, is that I get to read all manner of books that I may well not have ever considered. Sometimes that pays off and other times it doesn’t – but every experience is unique and interesting, which is what keeps me motivated.
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‘FOR THE LOVE OF IRIS‘
Alf and Iris have had a long and happy marriage, full of love, laughs, children, and grandchildren.
When Iris’ behaviour begins to change, they notice but do not attach too much importance to it. It is something they can get help with from the doctor, and then return to normal. Unfortunately, though, this is the start of something serious and unavoidable. Iris is deteriorating mentally.
Alf is convinced it can be sorted out, at least at first. If not, then it is his job to look after his wife. It’s a family matter, and as much as medicine may or may not be able to help, it will be the family who will provide the anchor to reality that Iris needs as the world becomes a stranger and stranger place.
Are miracles possible? Or is it the memory of what has gone before which is the real miracle?
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GILLIAN RUTTER
A retired psychiatric nurse, 67 years old, Gillian Rutter has been in nursing for over 25 years. The most interesting time in her nursing career, was dealing with friends and family who were devastated when their relative was diagnosed with dementia. As she worked closer with the clients/patients, she made a startling discovery, that people with dementia appear to always know their near relatives, with their behaviour changing as soon they visited. As she talked to husbands, wives, daughters, and sons, it gave her a clearer picture of the person’s life, which she portrays in this book.
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Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house during the last week. Be warned that Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home, where links may be added each week. So why not stop by, leave a link to your own Mailbox Monday post, oh! and don’t forget to leave a comment for our three new joint administrators, after all, we all like to receive them … ‘Mailbox Monday’
Leslie of ‘Under My Apple Tree’
Serena of ‘Savvy Verse & Wit’
Vicki of ‘I’d Rather Be At The Beach’
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… You never know where that next “must read” book will come from!
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That sounds like a sad but relevant book. I feel fortunate that, so far, no one in our family has been affected by dementia like that. I hope you love the book, Yvonne.
Hi Kathy,
I am hoping that although accurate and not overly dramatised, this novel is not too technically detailed.
Unfortunately this terrible illness has taken its toll on both my own and my husband’s family and it truly is sad to watch. I do hope that your own family is never affected in this way.
Thank you for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it 🙂
An appropriate-sounding book for me and my family.
We just lost mom from a stroke and dementia on July 7. That’s why I haven’t been visiting too many blogs. Today is the first day I felt like visiting.
ENJOY your reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Hi Elizabeth,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom and I can’t believe my terrible choice of featured book for your return visit, I feel rather guilty now!
I am doubly grateful that you took the time to comment and hope that your loss becomes easier to deal with, with each day that passes.
Thinking of you 🙂
It’s ok, Yvonne. Nothing to feel guilty about.
You didn’t know, but I did put her obituary on my blog if you want to stop by.
HUGS.
Elizabeth
What a beautiful eulogy and a lovely photograph.
My family has never been very demonstrative or open to public acts of emotion, so when my mum passed away 4 years ago now (where does the time go?), our outward appearance to friends and family alike, must have come across as quite subdued, even detached.
To express yourself as you did in your obituary, was so emotionally inclusive, although I never knew your mom. You should be proud of yourself for writing such a lovely piece 🙂
No, this is not one I care to read. My mother-in-law had Alzheimer’s and it’s truly a devastating disease. Though this may well be a wonderful book, I have no desire read about it. I admire you for taking it on for review.
Let’s see… this week I added ‘Flowers for the Dead’ to my Kindle (thanks to you!) and got a nice LARGE PRINT edition of the Book of Common Prayer. 🙂 I also got ‘The Lake House’ by Kate Morton, but that might have actually been the week before.
Hi Kelly,
No problem, I knew this book wasn’t going to be to everyone’s taste, possibly including my own, although I do hope to be proved wrong. I shall still be sharing excerpts from the book as I read it and hope that there may be some words of comfort and lightheartedness, amidst the sadness and devastation.
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I do hope that you enjoy ‘Flowers For The Dead’ as much as I did, although I still haven’t got around to publishing my final review yet, much to my shame and no doubt author Barbara Copperthwaite’s concern 🙁
‘The Lake House’ is also on my ‘Want To Read’ list, as I do enjoy Kate Morton’s style of writing, although I don’t actually have a copy of the book in my possession yet.
I hope that you enjoy them both 🙂
An informative book to read.
Hi Mary Ann,
My only concern is that the book isn’t so full of facts and information, that it detracts from a strong storyline, which may get lost along the wayside.
Thanks for stopping by today, I appreciate you taking the time to comment 🙂
This is a new to me book
Hi Serena,
Definitely one I would have missed if I hadn’t been contacted by the publisher about it!
Thanks for continuing to help host MM, I always enjoy taking part 🙂