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alidottie's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it is about books and reading which is so appealing, to me this book was really about an amazing woman who shows us how to live a truly inspiring life even while dying.
myriadreads's review
4.0
At times this book lulled me a bit, I admit. It was kind of a slow read for me. I enjoyed reading about a very dynamic woman's life, but I would have preferred that the author broke from his narrative voice to tell her stories a bit differently. He tells us that his mom told a story or shared an anecdote, but the immediacy of what sounds like a fascinating life is lost in the telling. There were passages that made me want to skim or sleep, where the details of Mom's eating habits or examples of her manners made me glaze over.
In the same vein, I really enjoyed the book recommendations, and seeing the ways that the common reads between mother and son enhanced their lives and conversations...but some of the built-in reviews droned on a bit long for me.
In the end I decided on 4 stars, though, because I love the concept of a mother and son book club, and the woman that I got to know through this memoir. Though every book mentioned isn't for me, I still added quite a few to my to-read shelf. Best of all, this book made me take the time to reflect on how the books that I read tie me to other people and inform my life. It was definitely worth the time.
In the same vein, I really enjoyed the book recommendations, and seeing the ways that the common reads between mother and son enhanced their lives and conversations...but some of the built-in reviews droned on a bit long for me.
In the end I decided on 4 stars, though, because I love the concept of a mother and son book club, and the woman that I got to know through this memoir. Though every book mentioned isn't for me, I still added quite a few to my to-read shelf. Best of all, this book made me take the time to reflect on how the books that I read tie me to other people and inform my life. It was definitely worth the time.
mslenakay's review
4.0
[b:The End of Your Life Book Club|13414676|The End of Your Life Book Club|Will Schwalbe|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1333576665s/13414676.jpg|18713903] wasn't what I was expecting, but I mean that in the best way possible. I had the impression that many books' endings would be spoiled; that wasn't true at all. One thing that definitely surprised me was that I didn't cry when [a:Will Schwalbe|274511|Will Schwalbe|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1348252409p2/274511.jpg]'s mother passed away. I believe this is because the book prepared me (the reader) for her death the way his family prepared for it. Normally these types of passages make me a bawling mess, but in this case I felt that Mary's family and friends had done a lot to ensure that their final months with her were filled with meaning and joy, which is all anyone can hope for. For this reason, I was ready for the passage in which Mary's death is explained, but I felt that her family members were at peace with it and said what they needed to say to her. Her life will be celebrated and remembered, whether it is through the library in Afghanistan or the books she recommended, she touched people's lives and for that reason she will never really be gone.
This was a beautiful book that I would certainly recommend. I finished it within two days of starting it, which doesn't happen with me often these days.
This was a beautiful book that I would certainly recommend. I finished it within two days of starting it, which doesn't happen with me often these days.
roseleaf24's review
5.0
I loved this book. Perhaps it's because I connect with it as a reader, and as one who has recently lost a parent. I didn't always like or agree with the people involved in the story, but their conversations sparked much thought, even when I found them frustrating.
sarahlreadseverything's review
4.0
The End of Your Life Book Club is the story of Will, a New York publisher who almost accidentally starts a two-person bookclub with his mother as he takes her to chemotherapy sessions after she is diagnosed with terminal cancer (the treatment is to prolong her time, rather than cure). They are both avid readers and over the two years of their bookclub the books they read serve to bring their already close relationship even closer, allow Will to find out more about his mother's past and lets them have conversations about her death that they wouldn't be able to have straight on.
I love books-about-books at the best of times and this one is a stunner. The books Will and Mary Anne read range from the popular (Alexander McCall Smith) to the more obscure (Eleanor Rathbone), but each one brings to light different aspects of their respective characters and relationship with each other. The story behind each selection and what they as two ultimately very different people got out of each one was fascinating to read.
That being said, the true hero of The End of Your Life Book Club is Mary Anne and Will's treatment of her. She is a woman who has had an amazing life, accompanying a ground breaking career in admissions for Ivy League universities (in a time where most women didn't work, let alone in high profile jobs) with high profile lobbying for the plight of refugees and other charitable causes worldwide - at the time of her diagnosis, she is deeply involved in building library's in war-torn Afghanistan. Will's narration of her life and illness brings her to life in a way that an ordinary memoir couldn't. She comes across as kind-hearted, caring and what my family would refer to as a 'pocket-rocket' (she uses her death to cheekily advocate among her friends for health-care reform). At the same time, she is not a saint and Will is careful to portray her faults in an honest and tender-hearted way.
It is insinuated that Mary Anne's relationship with her children, especially Will himself, has not always been easy, but their closeness and Will's tone of respect and ultimate pride in his mother is extremely touching. I loved their continual back and forth on spiritual matters - Mary Anne's continual subtle attempts to convert her 'not interested in religion' son to her own Christian faith using books as her vehicle was amusing and well-portrayed. It could easily have come across as pushy, guilt-inducing and almost abusive on behalf of the mother, but Schwalbe does very well to portray it in a lighter (and likely more accurate to how he felt it as the receiver) way and emphasises that he took no offense in it and even enjoyed it. Indeed, he comes to truly appreciate his mother's faith and is thankful for the peace books such as 'Daily Strength for Daily Needs' gave Mary Anne towards the end of her life. One of my favourite moments was Will's commitment to pray for his mother after a discussion about how she considers prayers from those who have no faith to be some of the most powerful.
I was also glad for Will's care in portraying the rest of his family and his mother's friends. Although it is a story about his relationship with his mother and their bookclub, he is careful to show the loving relationship between his mother and father, and his two other siblings. He acknowledges all of the people that cherished his mother and because of this, the story moves beyond just him and her to become a tender memoir about the negotiation of death and dying.
I love books-about-books at the best of times and this one is a stunner. The books Will and Mary Anne read range from the popular (Alexander McCall Smith) to the more obscure (Eleanor Rathbone), but each one brings to light different aspects of their respective characters and relationship with each other. The story behind each selection and what they as two ultimately very different people got out of each one was fascinating to read.
That being said, the true hero of The End of Your Life Book Club is Mary Anne and Will's treatment of her. She is a woman who has had an amazing life, accompanying a ground breaking career in admissions for Ivy League universities (in a time where most women didn't work, let alone in high profile jobs) with high profile lobbying for the plight of refugees and other charitable causes worldwide - at the time of her diagnosis, she is deeply involved in building library's in war-torn Afghanistan. Will's narration of her life and illness brings her to life in a way that an ordinary memoir couldn't. She comes across as kind-hearted, caring and what my family would refer to as a 'pocket-rocket' (she uses her death to cheekily advocate among her friends for health-care reform). At the same time, she is not a saint and Will is careful to portray her faults in an honest and tender-hearted way.
It is insinuated that Mary Anne's relationship with her children, especially Will himself, has not always been easy, but their closeness and Will's tone of respect and ultimate pride in his mother is extremely touching. I loved their continual back and forth on spiritual matters - Mary Anne's continual subtle attempts to convert her 'not interested in religion' son to her own Christian faith using books as her vehicle was amusing and well-portrayed. It could easily have come across as pushy, guilt-inducing and almost abusive on behalf of the mother, but Schwalbe does very well to portray it in a lighter (and likely more accurate to how he felt it as the receiver) way and emphasises that he took no offense in it and even enjoyed it. Indeed, he comes to truly appreciate his mother's faith and is thankful for the peace books such as 'Daily Strength for Daily Needs' gave Mary Anne towards the end of her life. One of my favourite moments was Will's commitment to pray for his mother after a discussion about how she considers prayers from those who have no faith to be some of the most powerful.
I was also glad for Will's care in portraying the rest of his family and his mother's friends. Although it is a story about his relationship with his mother and their bookclub, he is careful to show the loving relationship between his mother and father, and his two other siblings. He acknowledges all of the people that cherished his mother and because of this, the story moves beyond just him and her to become a tender memoir about the negotiation of death and dying.
machster9's review against another edition
4.0
I guess I would give this 3 1/2 stars. It wasn't always the most captivating read, but having followed both my parents, a nephew, and now, my oldest sister, on their final journey in this world, I can relate to what the author experienced in the time he spent with his mother in her final months. The fact that they found books (which my Mom & I both loved) as a way to help them through this difficult time and get to know each other even better than they already did, was very touching to me. And I now have several more books to add to my wish list.
elisebrancheau's review
3.0
I feel like this book really should be 3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed it, I thought the mother was an amazing person, and I loved the theme of books throughout, and how they can change, help, and enlighten people. I did however, find it a bit frustrating that the actual discussions they had about the books seemed to be glossed over; I understand the author did not want to give away crucial elements of the book, so I think he handled it the best way he could, but I just felt myself wanting to know more about the books they read. Overall, an inspiring and touching book.