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

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

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

7 people are currently reading
158 people want to read

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Gloria Hunniford

22 books3 followers

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5 stars
155 (49%)
4 stars
97 (31%)
3 stars
36 (11%)
2 stars
16 (5%)
1 star
8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Charlotte.
16 reviews
January 31, 2022
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.
Profile Image for Susanne.
22 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2013
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.
Profile Image for ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up.
2,896 reviews435 followers
September 8, 2014
Most upsetting read, but just had to do it.

The exerts of Caron's own story is written in this book and Gloria inserts an expanded version of each top as it goes.

If you read it, get out the tissues as its so tearful and yet so beautiful
665 reviews
February 26, 2008
I did not like the character of Caron or the way the narrative was written. A personal memoir that should have stayed personal.
Profile Image for Jacqueline.
19 reviews34 followers
February 27, 2008
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
Profile Image for Brigid Gallagher.
Author 1 book115 followers
February 20, 2020
"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.
27 reviews
September 29, 2015
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.

Profile Image for Kelly (smeets_books).
135 reviews2 followers
August 12, 2011
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.
1 review
July 17, 2007
A very moving account of the effects breast cancer had on Gloria's daughter, Caron and her family.
7 reviews
November 14, 2009
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.
Profile Image for Lisa.
135 reviews
Read
July 27, 2011
Really lovely and sad true story, made me cry :o( could relate to what she was writing about...
Profile Image for Carole.
17 reviews
September 13, 2012
Very moving story of a mother dealing with the loss of her daughter at a very young age heart wrenching story
Profile Image for Lee Harding.
9 reviews
June 20, 2013
This was a very moving book about one woman's courage, and the love and support of her family throughout her battle with cancer.
Profile Image for Susanne.
22 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2016
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!
20 reviews
May 3, 2017
Another couldn't put it down book . Read the whole book one summers day sitting in the garden -
136 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2017
It's like an autobiography about Caron from her mother. It is very sad, about Caron's life and everything she went through. Cancer.
Profile Image for Lord Bobby.
84 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2019
Fab book it feel like you on the journey with Karen got be strong read this book
Profile Image for Trina Hollis.
294 reviews44 followers
October 27, 2019
A really moving story about a woman's fight against cancer, the power of positive thinking and also their mother daughter relationship.
Profile Image for Jacquie Brown.
36 reviews
February 23, 2020
Amazing one of the best autobiographies I have read the strength of this woman's character is amazing.
32 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2022
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.
3 reviews
Read
September 7, 2020
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.
53 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2022
A very moving read. A beautiful tribute to her daughter. Caron was so brave, a lovely lady taken far too soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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