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annieb123's review
5.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Dance Me to the End: Ten Months and Ten Days with ALS is a beautifully eloquent and honest memoir of Alison Acheson's experiences with ALS after her husband's diagnosis. Released in 2019, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is such a well written and touching book. There were so many times I stopped the book to just think about something the author had said. I find myself, some weeks after the read, still thinking about it. After a horrific, terminal diagnosis for her husband of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) she writes not only about the anger and confusion and shock, but also about the love of family and sometimes honest humour to be gathered.
The author is a creative writing teacher, and it does show in the writerly language and turns of phrase. I enjoyed her competence with the written word. Some readers might prefer a more pared down style, but I thought the sensitively nuanced writing absolutely suited the subject.
The unabridged audiobook is due out 30th May 2022 and has a run time of 7 hours and 21 minutes. It's capably narrated by Ellen Dubin. She has a warm alto voice which is pleasant to listen to. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.
This would make a good selection for public library acquisition, as well as for readers who enjoy memoir/biography.
Four and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Dance Me to the End: Ten Months and Ten Days with ALS is a beautifully eloquent and honest memoir of Alison Acheson's experiences with ALS after her husband's diagnosis. Released in 2019, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is such a well written and touching book. There were so many times I stopped the book to just think about something the author had said. I find myself, some weeks after the read, still thinking about it. After a horrific, terminal diagnosis for her husband of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) she writes not only about the anger and confusion and shock, but also about the love of family and sometimes honest humour to be gathered.
The author is a creative writing teacher, and it does show in the writerly language and turns of phrase. I enjoyed her competence with the written word. Some readers might prefer a more pared down style, but I thought the sensitively nuanced writing absolutely suited the subject.
The unabridged audiobook is due out 30th May 2022 and has a run time of 7 hours and 21 minutes. It's capably narrated by Ellen Dubin. She has a warm alto voice which is pleasant to listen to. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.
This would make a good selection for public library acquisition, as well as for readers who enjoy memoir/biography.
Four and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
anjreading's review
4.0
The subtitle of this book is “Ten Months and Ten Days with ALS.” Acheson was in her early fifties when her husband was diagnosed with ALS. His illness progressed rapidly, and Acheson cared for him at home until the end. Through the whole heartbreaking experience, she writes beautifully and deeply of what she’s going through. This is a thoughtful, honest, poignant memoir, and Acheson’s courage and strength, as well as her willingness to bare her soul, are inspirational.
lx2's review
5.0
This book was a breathtaking journey into life, resistance, and what it is to love and be loved. Alison has done an amazing job finding the right words to describe, what I can only assume to be, her painful path to acceptance.
I highly recommend this book. :)
I highly recommend this book. :)
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