Next To You: Caron's Courage Remembered By Her Mother

by Gloria Hunniford

Next to Caron's Courage Remembered by Her Mother Hunniford, Gloria

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir, Death, Inspirational

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Andrea]

this is a heartbreaking book its a mothers story.good book

[Charlotte]

I found this a hard book to read but not because of the sadness that it held.

Yes, I cried reading the first chapter and the stories of Caron fighting for her life and trying to find unknown answers are thought provoking but for me the book came across as a mother justifying that she had done enough by her daughter on her final journey.

No one should ever have to lose a child, no matter what age they are. I can’t put myself in her place in that sense and grief is a process that is hard to put into words, it affects everyone differently and I respect Gloria for her attempt in sharing a personal account of her own journey.

[Susanne]

I really enjoyed reading this book - it was well written with fab photos.. It was incredibly emotional - I grew up with Caron as one of my heroines on the tv with her crazy dress code and beautiful face. I have also experienced breast cancer in the family - my mother - and after 5 clear years it is back - this time with bone cancer as well. I just hope that my family can be as strong and supportive as Caron's was.

[Kay]

I did not like the character of Caron or the way the narrative was written. A personal memoir that should have stayed personal.

[Jacqueline]

that no one knows what they would do in this awful situation.also I learned of one womans bravery and courage,and the heartbreak of anothers

[Shirley Revill]

An unforgettable and heartbreaking read.

[Margaret Scott]

This was the saddest story.
Beautifully written by a mother whose daughter was dying.
I could not put it down.

[Brigid Gallagher]

"Next to You" is the story of one families journey as they embrace a beloved daughter, mother, wife and friend in her fight against cancer.
Although Caron Keating initially had a lump removed from her breast which appeared to be non aggressive, the cancer returned again and again, until her death seven years later, aged forty one.
In her quest to stay alive she embraced both conventional and complementary treatment modalities, travelling to Australia, Switzerland and beyond.
The author recounts the highs and lows of this journey. The loving bond they shared shines throughout.
I revisited my own experiences of grief and loss, shedding more than a few tears at the death of such a beautiful, vibrant human being.
Highly recommended.

[Usha]

I just could not put down this book. This book really touched my heart. Amazing to read about the courage of a woman who wants to defy death and ensure her children are not left without a mother.
Challenges in life are inevitable, our attitude and whether to succumb or face them courageously is a choice.

[Kelly (smeets_books)]

An excellent biography which is very moving. It shows the wonders of positive thinking and how a young woman comes to terms with her immortality. It showed a very realistic portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship.

[Julie Sherman]

A very moving account of the effects breast cancer had on Gloria's daughter, Caron and her family.

[Dawn Bates]

reveiw to follow...

[M]

This book is about a daughter's battle with cancer as remembered by her mother. I was a huge fan of Caron Keating during her time at Blue Peter (UK's children's programme). A poignant read.

[Lisa]

Really lovely and sad true story, made me cry :o( could relate to what she was writing about...

[Carole]

Very moving story of a mother dealing with the loss of her daughter at a very young age heart wrenching story

[Allison Cartwright]

Nice and sad to read!

[Lee Harding]

This was a very moving book about one woman's courage, and the love and support of her family throughout her battle with cancer.

[Michelle]

Heart breaking

[Colleen Blogg]

Good book to read,I found it very sad.

[Heidi]

So sad!

[Barbara Lenehan]

So sad but so powerful...

[Susanne]

A very beautiful book about a very beautiful woman. Such a tragic outcome to such a strong and colourful woman. Sadly cancer affects us all!

[Ruth]

Another couldn't put it down book . Read the whole book one summers day sitting in the garden -

[Molly Luck]

It's like an autobiography about Caron from her mother. It is very sad, about Caron's life and everything she went through. Cancer.

[Lord Bobby]

Fab book it feel like you on the journey with Karen got be strong read this book

[Trina Hollis]

A really moving story about a woman's fight against cancer, the power of positive thinking and also their mother daughter relationship.

[Jacquie Brown]

Amazing one of the best autobiographies I have read the strength of this woman's character is amazing.

[Jilly Jensen]

I liked Caron Keating when she was on the telly. I found this book on a shelf at work so borrowed it out of curiosity. I was unsettled to discover that I didn't like the woman described gushingly by her mother as 'feisty', 'wild' and 'intelligent'. To me, young Caron came across as selfish, deceitful and manipulative. To read her mother's boundless praise for the woman who made promises to her flat-mate she never intended to keep; the young adult who rebelled against good sense and parental rules while living in Ireland was jarring and made for uncomfortable reading. Gloria herself admits that the whole family put Caron on a pedestal. A child who is over indulged and under disciplined is not an attractive creature. In Caron's own words she early on in life realised a shift between persuading those around her that she was a good girl, while secretly or overtly doing just exactly as she pleased.

But then Caron got sick. Suddenly I didn't want to abandon the book any longer, in fact I couldn't put it down. Selfish Caron was forced to grow up in the most painful way imaginable. As Caron's illness progressed she became more loving and more spiritually beautiful. A good friend once told me that sometimes the adversity we face isn't the issue we think it is, it's just the perfect vehicle that God knows will return us to Him. So Caron left this earth at just 41. But maybe, in the process, she regained her Soul.

[Linda Todd]

Caron’s story made me cry, she had so much to live for, and although she lost her battle young, she lived her life to the full.

I couldn’t put the book down Caron fought such a hard fight, I admire her will to live, but devastated she never made it. My heart goes out to Gloria I can only imagine the the devastating loss of a beautiful daughter. I can’t stop thinking about her, and wish her well. Caron’s will is amazing How could she be so ill and still think about others. I did find it a little repetitive after reading the other book first.

[Kim Knowles]

A very moving read. A beautiful tribute to her daughter. Caron was so brave, a lovely lady taken far too soon.