The Fifth Season

by Robert C.S. Downs

Sixty-year-old Teddy Neel must overcome past problems with his father in order to be the supportive son his father needs as he faces a painful battle with cancer that is destined to end his life. Reprint.

Paperback

First published February 1, 2000

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading _The Fifth Season_ by Robert C.S. Downs having received the book as a gift from his daughter, a good friend. It is an incredibly touching story of a man, Teddy, who is caring for his ailing parents while he grapples with the issues of his own mortality. The story is based on Downs's own experiences with a father who was dying of kidney cancer and a mother who was battling alzheimers. In a moment where his mother is lying in a hospital bed unable to recognize her son, Teddy realizes that it is not only the death of his parents that he is facing but his own as well. Downs writes, "What follows is a
silence among the three of us so empty that the message it carries feels like a great deep bell in the soul, as if aloneness, even sadness, can make a sound." The novel is truly a touching exploration of facing the issues of one's mortality. Downs has several other novels and is set to publish a collection of short stories in the Spring.

[Ikdavid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about a middle-aged man coming to grips with the fact that his agin parents are declining and won't be around much longer. Adjusting to a change in family dynamics as he becomes to one to propose hard changes to his father, as well as reconciling old family arguments, while still reflecting his love, was involving, not least because we all have to approach that point in our lives.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times I felt like I was reading about my parents who have been gone for more than 15 years, and then I felt I was reading about what might be my future. Poignant seems to be the best word to describe this book. I will "Bookcross" it, and recommend it to many of my friends.


The book was well written and very readable. One sentence caught my attention when I read it: "The heavy double curtains along the windows by the balcony hang as if in immense fatigue."

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was enjoying the book but I was disappointed by the ending, hence the 2 stars. A poor ending ruins it for me. This book is sad, and makes you reflect on your own mortality. Not exactly an easy beach read. It also made me really stress about Alzheimer's, and the process of getting older. But it was well written and honest.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Downs is my real-life inspiration, and he happens to be an amazing writer as well.