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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I loved this book... more because I admire the authors mother than anything in think. I am hopeful that the world has more people like her in it.
Based on a true story, Will Schwalbe and his mother, Mary Anne talk about the books they read while waiting for her cancer treatments. Mary Anne has advanced pancreatic cancer, but even as her life is drawing to a close, she will be living it to the fullest.
Through books, Will and his mother connect, celebrating life and death--talking about everything and anything, not just the books they read, but what the books represent.
"Reading isn’t the opposite of doing; it’s the opposite of dying."
Expect to cry--but this isn't a book about death and mourning--instead it's a celebration of living.
Through books, Will and his mother connect, celebrating life and death--talking about everything and anything, not just the books they read, but what the books represent.
"Reading isn’t the opposite of doing; it’s the opposite of dying."
Expect to cry--but this isn't a book about death and mourning--instead it's a celebration of living.
Sort of like listening in on a book club discussion. I listened to it, but reading would have been better. The narration is sort of weird. I liked it a lot.
I love reading and am drawn to books about books, so this work held a special appeal for me. I enjoyed the introduction to some new titles and the nudges to read (or reread) a few books that have long been on my pile (*must* read "Marjorie Morningstar" ASAP). I didn't anticipate getting so much out of the end-of-life elements of the book, but in some ways they're stronger than the book discussions, which are occasionally a bit stilted. I appreciated some of the lessons/wisdom Schwalbe absorbs as his mother is dying. For example, he learns that you should ask someone who is ill, "Do you want me to ask you how you are feeling today?" rather than "How are you feeling today?" It sounds as though Schwalbe's mother led an amazing life filled with unusual experiences. A straight-up biography of Mary Anne Schwalbe might have held even more appeal for me than this book review/memoir hybrid.
The End of Your Life Book Club is a memoir by Will Schwalbe about his experience talking about books with his mom at the end of her life. Will’s mom is dying of cancer, and they both find solace in all different types of books and enjoy talking about them during chemotherapy appointments. I found the conversations about death and dying and Will’s grief to be interesting. This was a quick read and would be a good book for people who enjoy books about books or books that address death and dying.
I disagree with the low star reviews. I felt like I was sitting next to Mary Anne throughout this book and that I got to know her quite well. I thank her son Will for the introduction.
Also, I keep thinking of books written since her death that she'd have loved.
Also, I keep thinking of books written since her death that she'd have loved.
This is a really nice book. I can't fault the writer at all. However, I have to say it was gut wrenching for me. Schwalbe and his mother had a very special bond. Hell, from what I grasp, she had a special bond with everyone she knew. She seemed like she was a truly amazing person.
The part that was really hard for me was the dedication Schwalbe had for his mum. No, it wasn't a bad thing. It was an amazing thing. When my father died, I can't lie, I was, perhaps more devastated by my lack of involvement in his final days. That is so very hard to write. To admit to. Sure, I can blame circumstances. Being in a different country, blah blah blah, but that doesn't ease the guilt one feels. Then to read a book where Schwalbe went to such great lengths....well it was very hard. Yes, he was lucky. His mum was lucky. We can all say, well, he had a job that allowed him to be by his mother's side so often. That's all. He could afford to spend 5 hours a day with her when she was having treatments. He could call her a dozen times a day. Reality is more simple than that though. He made it happen. Amazing sacrifices he made to make sure his mother was surrounded by love in her final years...
I'm jealous of his dedication. Of his courage. His sacrifice. Of those hours, days, weeks, months, and years he had with his mum at the end. Reading this book made my gut clench with my own guilt...I miss my dad...I wish I had been the kind of daughter to him that was like the son Schwalbe was to his mum...I wish I had that opportunity...
There's nothing else to say really...
The part that was really hard for me was the dedication Schwalbe had for his mum. No, it wasn't a bad thing. It was an amazing thing. When my father died, I can't lie, I was, perhaps more devastated by my lack of involvement in his final days. That is so very hard to write. To admit to. Sure, I can blame circumstances. Being in a different country, blah blah blah, but that doesn't ease the guilt one feels. Then to read a book where Schwalbe went to such great lengths....well it was very hard. Yes, he was lucky. His mum was lucky. We can all say, well, he had a job that allowed him to be by his mother's side so often. That's all. He could afford to spend 5 hours a day with her when she was having treatments. He could call her a dozen times a day. Reality is more simple than that though. He made it happen. Amazing sacrifices he made to make sure his mother was surrounded by love in her final years...
I'm jealous of his dedication. Of his courage. His sacrifice. Of those hours, days, weeks, months, and years he had with his mum at the end. Reading this book made my gut clench with my own guilt...I miss my dad...I wish I had been the kind of daughter to him that was like the son Schwalbe was to his mum...I wish I had that opportunity...
There's nothing else to say really...
I love this book. It is truly not just about a mother and son, a family coping with terminal illness and how to keep on living, but is truly a love letter to books and reading and life. I am more than halfway through and just don't want this book to end. I couldn't recommend it more wholeheartedly.
I found the tone of this book to be vaguely condescending. Can't be bothered to see if it gets better after 100 pages.
A must read! Focuses on the relationship between a son and a mom who start a 2 person book club while she undergoes treatment for pancreatic cancer. Sounds maudlin, but it is not. Also, I added a bunch of books to my TBR pile!