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kimberussell's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy books about people reading books, and that's exactly what this was. The author's mother -- a Radcliffe grad, an admissions officer for Radcliffe AND Harvard, and an activist on behalf of refugees -- was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that was destined to kill her. As book-loving son sits with his book-loving mother through chemo treatments and in doctor waiting rooms, they decide to create the only foodless book club. This chatty book is both Will's remembrance of those times, and a memoir of his mother.
Despite the inevitable sad ending, this book wasn't depressing. I liked their discussions about not only the books, but about Mary Anne's life and the choices she made throughout. I have a feeling that due to filial loyalty, Will smoothed over Mary Anne's character a bit. (That stuffed turtle story - things like that don't happen just once.) And I think that Mary Anne actually wrote more of the book than just the few stories she told him to add. But if actual Mary Anne was half as lovely as Will's portrayal, the world is a sadder place for losing her.
And I'm adding a few books to my "to-read" list to boot!
Despite the inevitable sad ending, this book wasn't depressing. I liked their discussions about not only the books, but about Mary Anne's life and the choices she made throughout. I have a feeling that due to filial loyalty, Will smoothed over Mary Anne's character a bit. (That stuffed turtle story - things like that don't happen just once.) And I think that Mary Anne actually wrote more of the book than just the few stories she told him to add. But if actual Mary Anne was half as lovely as Will's portrayal, the world is a sadder place for losing her.
And I'm adding a few books to my "to-read" list to boot!
bvilushis's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
paroof's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this memoir, and hearing about all the books read. My only (not really) complaint (maybe more of an observation) would be that everyone in the family seemed a little too perfect. Maybe they are, I just never knew such a family. Regardless, it didn't take away from the story or my enjoyment.
callmejoce's review against another edition
4.0
This book is not depressing. It is a wonderful and charming tribute to a Mother, written by her son. It is W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L and you should read it too.
bookgirl1209's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes you read a book that you can simply walk away from and not give it much thought. This is not one of those. I think this one will stay with me for a long, long time.
Will Schwalbe's mother Mary Ann is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and while going through treatments she and Will create a book club of sorts. They discuss books they've read, read new ones, recommend others. It's a book club of just two people but full of love. Love of books, love of each other, love of reading, love of life.
Mary Ann Schwalbe is someone I wish I would have known...what a wonderful woman. Ahead of her time, compassionate and friendly to everyone she met and especially those she hadn't yet.
The relationship between Will and his mother comes through each page and with each deeper discussion they have about the things they read.
At one point Will writes about how when he was a child... "There was one sure way to avoid being assigned an impromptu chore in our house - be it taking out the trash or cleaning your room - and that was to have your face buried in a book. Like churches during the Middle Ages, books conferred instant sanctuary. Once you entered one, you couldn't be disturbed."
I love that. Books as sanctuary.
Also at one point Will asks his mom if it bothers her to read about death or to read books of a depressing nature. Her reply, "No - not at all. It's the cruelty that gets to me. Still, it's important to read about cruelty. Because when you read about it, it's easier to recognize....Evil almost always starts with small cruelties."
What a smart woman.
erinkatherin's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book informative (cancer care, palliative care, refugee crises) — and I didn’t find it too detailed or too sad. I liked being introduced to so many books and authors. I thought the author did a good job of paralleling plots and his current experience. I didn’t like the author’s writing style, which made reading it a bit of a chore.
gdc75's review against another edition
4.0
A great book that manages to talk about a LOT of books, yet doesn't seem to ruin any if them. Instead you find yourself keeping a growing list of referenced books to add to the bedside table. A great Mother/Son story.
erpedraja's review against another edition
2.0
I feel terrible admitting I didn't love this novel. While I thought the premise was great, and I did enjoy some of the comments made about the books Will and his mother read, I felt the story itself wasn't very well written and repetitive. I wish there had been more discussion on the books that they were reading as opposed to comments like "Thomas Mann takes while to finish"
While Will's palpable admiration and love for his mother is admirable, and tugged on my heart strings, it wasn't enough for me to not find myself sometimes flipping ahead pages to see if more interesting things were going to happen.
While Will's palpable admiration and love for his mother is admirable, and tugged on my heart strings, it wasn't enough for me to not find myself sometimes flipping ahead pages to see if more interesting things were going to happen.