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Shades of Grace
New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky delivers a touching and heartfelt story in which love and devotion are put to the ultimate test. Grace Dorian is The Confidante, America's favorite advice columnist. Her wisdom has helped to guide two generations—including her daughter, Francine, and granddaughter, Sophie, who manage the vast Dorian empire and oversee the thousand details of Grace's world. But a national treasure is losing her brilliance. Her once razor-sharp mind is showing strain; her columns have begun to wander. Concerned about Grace's health and future, Francine must step in to fill her legendary mother's shoes and somehow also live her own life, which now suddenly includes her confusing feelings for Grace's handsome doctor and new worries about tempestuous Sophie, who needs more guidance than Grace's public.
464 pages, Paperback
First published December 26, 1996
133 people are currently reading
748 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
312 books4,368 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
December 19, 2015
Famous advice columnist and dedicated matriarch Grace Dorian didn't expect the limelight to slowly go dim on her. She was the brains in her empire, she was The Confidante, and now she's suffering mentally as the years passed by. Slowly, Alzheimer's Disease was catching up on her. And slowly, she deteriorated.
Her daughter, Francine, slowly realized what was happening to her and she worried. Francine who never minded to rest on her mother's laurels soon found herself torn between living the life she had always wanted or living the life that her mother started. True, she could also do columns and make public appearances for Grace but at the end of the day, she thought, was this really what she wanted? And how about that dashing doctor who attended to her mom? David Marcoux sure had a lot of fire going on with him. Should she fight fire with fire and put a stop to her burning desires?
Sophie, Francine's daughter and a bit of a wild child was another concern. She couldn't believe she'd be doing "adult" things at her young age. She looked up to her grandmother and couldn't fathom the world the older woman was living in. She knew nothing about dementia and within days, she was slowly seeing what it did to her family.
The Confidant wanted to write her autobiography, but because of her age and diminishing memory, she had a hard time remembering things and events. A tough job for Robin, the ghost writer, as she realized she would be grasping at straws and chasing the truth.
Three generations of Dorian women, three individually unique characters, one story of love, commitment, determination and acceptance.
I don't have any experience with people suffering from Alzheimer's but I've watched a lot of shows/movies about it, so I had an idea how it affects a family. A disease like this is actually one of my fears. Truth to be told, when I was young, I was often complimented by my teachers / professors for my sharp mind or long-term memory. I could remember even the minute details and history dates.
But as years went by, I could feel my brain already malfunctioning. Suddenly, there are a lot of things I forget, memories, simple events and dates. I want to blame aging for my memory gap. After watching a lot of films with amnesiac and ornery characters, I begin to feel scared for myself. I am extremely anxious of this disease and until now, I don't know if I could ever accept that situation, just in case.
Barbara Delinsky had written a powerful novel that made me think of my own future. I was absorbed in my own world while reading Grace's sickness, Francine's struggles and Sophie's anxiety. The way their stories unfolded was something to look forward to. I have read a number of paperbacks by Delinsky and have always ended loving them. This one is definitely one of her page-turners.
Her daughter, Francine, slowly realized what was happening to her and she worried. Francine who never minded to rest on her mother's laurels soon found herself torn between living the life she had always wanted or living the life that her mother started. True, she could also do columns and make public appearances for Grace but at the end of the day, she thought, was this really what she wanted? And how about that dashing doctor who attended to her mom? David Marcoux sure had a lot of fire going on with him. Should she fight fire with fire and put a stop to her burning desires?
Sophie, Francine's daughter and a bit of a wild child was another concern. She couldn't believe she'd be doing "adult" things at her young age. She looked up to her grandmother and couldn't fathom the world the older woman was living in. She knew nothing about dementia and within days, she was slowly seeing what it did to her family.
The Confidant wanted to write her autobiography, but because of her age and diminishing memory, she had a hard time remembering things and events. A tough job for Robin, the ghost writer, as she realized she would be grasping at straws and chasing the truth.
Three generations of Dorian women, three individually unique characters, one story of love, commitment, determination and acceptance.
I don't have any experience with people suffering from Alzheimer's but I've watched a lot of shows/movies about it, so I had an idea how it affects a family. A disease like this is actually one of my fears. Truth to be told, when I was young, I was often complimented by my teachers / professors for my sharp mind or long-term memory. I could remember even the minute details and history dates.
But as years went by, I could feel my brain already malfunctioning. Suddenly, there are a lot of things I forget, memories, simple events and dates. I want to blame aging for my memory gap. After watching a lot of films with amnesiac and ornery characters, I begin to feel scared for myself. I am extremely anxious of this disease and until now, I don't know if I could ever accept that situation, just in case.
Barbara Delinsky had written a powerful novel that made me think of my own future. I was absorbed in my own world while reading Grace's sickness, Francine's struggles and Sophie's anxiety. The way their stories unfolded was something to look forward to. I have read a number of paperbacks by Delinsky and have always ended loving them. This one is definitely one of her page-turners.
June 19, 2009
The view Delinsky gives us from inside the mind of an Alzheimer's sufferer is so compelling...broadened my own thinking about the disease.
June 23, 2010
Recommended for anyone who has dealt with Alzheimer's disease in a family member. Wish I had read it before my Mom passed away.
July 11, 2018
A family dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease, the legend of a strong matriarchal line, and young women finding themselves are all themes in this book. Good book.
September 2, 2010
I'm a massive Barbara Delinsky addict and I'm constantly amazed at how compelling her books are and how she can create so many unique characters. I've yet to encounter a Delinsky novel that I hate and I've only read one so far that I felt was simply okay. This novel, on the other hand, was fantastic. Although released in 1995, Delinsky is fantastic at painting the portrait of a family dealing with their matriarch's sudden decline into Alzheimer's Disease. The main character of the novel is Francine, who is struggling to come to turns with how much her mother is changing, and taking over the family "business" - writing an advice collumn. Other characters are Grace, declining because of her disease and struggling to hide secrets in her past; Sophie, Francine's daughter who previously went out of her way to rebel against her grandmother and is trying to find her place in the world; Davis, Grace's doctor and Francine's love interest; and new-comer Robin, a journalist whose life was dominated by Grace's collumn who ends up helping Francine. As a result of this large cast of characters, I can understand how some readers could find the many plots and sub-plots difficult to follow. Personally, I love stories with as much drama as this! Hidden family secrets! Secret pasts! Love interests! Yes, I'm a romantic at heart - but this isn't simply a romance. It's a story of families and the ties that bond them together - and building new bonds. I was satisfied with the outcome of the story, even if I did see it coming. And I was pleased with the way that Grace's story panned out. Despite all the drama and new relationships being created, Delinsky didn't fail forget Grace's disease and it progressed in a very realistic manner. My own grandmother was diagnosed with AD when I was about 11 and although she's taken almost 8 years to get to the stage that Grace does at the end of the book, the difficulties that she and her family suffered really struck a chord with me. Even if you're not a fan of this style of novel or of Delinsky's work, this book is worth reading for the depiction of AD alone. And if you do love family sagas and romances, then this an especially deep and meaningful one! 9/10
May 31, 2011
I picked this book up last year at book fair because I have just finished the author's current (at the time) book, 'Not My Daughter'. I liked this book a lot.
The story is about Grace Dorian, a famous advice columnist. She is well respected and has plenty of money with a very large house. Her divorced daughter, Francine, and young adult granddaughter, Sophie, both work for her and live with her, each with their own section of the house. At the beginning of the story, Grace becomes distracted and forgetful. She is diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease by a young doctor. Both she and her family reject this diagnosis, and Grace does her best to hide possible symptoms. Gradually though, things become unexplainable and the family has no choice but accept the diagnosis. The daughter, Francine, becomes involved with the neurologist, and at times, this gets quite steamy, so be aware of that if you are offended by this type of writing. It is a very small part of the story though. There is also a priest, Father Jim, who is a very close family friend, and always there for the family in a crisis. And a very nosy reporter, Robin, trying to dig up info on Grace, who is in the middle of writing her biography.
As Grace becomes worse, daughter Francine takes over as The Confidante, the advice columnist. She is also working with Grace to complete her book before her memory is totally gone. At times, Grace says things that make no sense, as Alzheimers patients do, and becomes agitated when questioned about her past. Francine begins to suspect there is more to Grace than she ever knew growing up. The story becomes very interesting as Francine searches for clues to Grace's past. It also is sad at times as we watch Grace deteriorate. The insight into what Grace (and other Alzheimers patients) may be thinking seem very real, and sad.
Ultimately, Grace becomes worse, barely knowing who she is or recognizing anyone around her. This is real and does not make for a 'happily ever after' ending. But like life, there are also happy times. The book is realistic and a pretty quick read. Perfect for summer relaxing!
The story is about Grace Dorian, a famous advice columnist. She is well respected and has plenty of money with a very large house. Her divorced daughter, Francine, and young adult granddaughter, Sophie, both work for her and live with her, each with their own section of the house. At the beginning of the story, Grace becomes distracted and forgetful. She is diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease by a young doctor. Both she and her family reject this diagnosis, and Grace does her best to hide possible symptoms. Gradually though, things become unexplainable and the family has no choice but accept the diagnosis. The daughter, Francine, becomes involved with the neurologist, and at times, this gets quite steamy, so be aware of that if you are offended by this type of writing. It is a very small part of the story though. There is also a priest, Father Jim, who is a very close family friend, and always there for the family in a crisis. And a very nosy reporter, Robin, trying to dig up info on Grace, who is in the middle of writing her biography.
As Grace becomes worse, daughter Francine takes over as The Confidante, the advice columnist. She is also working with Grace to complete her book before her memory is totally gone. At times, Grace says things that make no sense, as Alzheimers patients do, and becomes agitated when questioned about her past. Francine begins to suspect there is more to Grace than she ever knew growing up. The story becomes very interesting as Francine searches for clues to Grace's past. It also is sad at times as we watch Grace deteriorate. The insight into what Grace (and other Alzheimers patients) may be thinking seem very real, and sad.
Ultimately, Grace becomes worse, barely knowing who she is or recognizing anyone around her. This is real and does not make for a 'happily ever after' ending. But like life, there are also happy times. The book is realistic and a pretty quick read. Perfect for summer relaxing!
December 19, 2010
This novel hit home base for me...wow, what a powerful message. The family dynamics were incredible and I was taken back by so many similaries in my own heart. I've been worried for some time that my memory wouldn't serve me correctly in writing about life as it has unfolded for me and yet maybe I should be more worried about the most recent blessings.
Since meeting my soul mate, a little over three years ago, these are the years that I want to remember. Maybe it's time to change my focus on writing more current events. In my attempt at going back over the years, I've been haunted by so many things that were forgotten. I'm not sure that I want to relive them. I would rather remember only my time with Wayde...he is my light...my knight in shining armor who has given me reason to live.
When we move forward in life and make choices, all we really can do is the best we know how to do at the specific time. There are many times this may look good but in the end may not be so good. I was touched by Grace's plight...she made a choice that changed not only her destiny but her daughter's as well. She spent many years trying to be someone that maybe she really wasn't. This could have been why she became sick and developed Alzheimers...I often wonder. In our attempt to forget that past or change who we are, do we lose who we really are?
This concept scares me to death sometimes and I fear that my memory won't be able to withstand the trama's in life. I will have to think about this and revisit this story. It touched me and reminds me to be thankful for today. We never know what will happen to us tommorow. ThanksBD for such a beautiful story!
Since meeting my soul mate, a little over three years ago, these are the years that I want to remember. Maybe it's time to change my focus on writing more current events. In my attempt at going back over the years, I've been haunted by so many things that were forgotten. I'm not sure that I want to relive them. I would rather remember only my time with Wayde...he is my light...my knight in shining armor who has given me reason to live.
When we move forward in life and make choices, all we really can do is the best we know how to do at the specific time. There are many times this may look good but in the end may not be so good. I was touched by Grace's plight...she made a choice that changed not only her destiny but her daughter's as well. She spent many years trying to be someone that maybe she really wasn't. This could have been why she became sick and developed Alzheimers...I often wonder. In our attempt to forget that past or change who we are, do we lose who we really are?
This concept scares me to death sometimes and I fear that my memory won't be able to withstand the trama's in life. I will have to think about this and revisit this story. It touched me and reminds me to be thankful for today. We never know what will happen to us tommorow. ThanksBD for such a beautiful story!
July 4, 2011
What if the strongest, most controlled person you know starts to slowly and gradually lose control of her memories, her actions, and her life?
This is the question Francine Dorian must face as her mother, well-known advice columnist Grace Dorian, is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
They were the Dorian women: three generations of attractive, strong, intelligent and accomplished women--Grace, Francine, and Sophie. Discovering that the life as they knew it is unraveling, they must test their strength as never before.
Denial is the first reaction for each of them. And then they must decide what to do about The Confidante, the advice column, so Francine begins ghost-writing it. Then there is the autobiography that Grace has contracted to write.
Finding someone to write the book requires a lot more than one would think. In the process of writing, they must uncover the truth about Grace's early life and the secrets she has buried.
Searching for the answers to their questions lead Francine, Sophie, and Robin (the ghost-writer of the book) down unexpected pathways. When the truths are uncovered, what will happen to the relationships between the women? What will happen to The Confidante? And how will all of these secrets change the future?
Like many character-driven novels, these strong women captured my attention and held my interest all the way through. Even though I had figured out a great deal before I neared the end, I was still intrigued by how it all unfolded.
An emotionally captivating read, I found "Shades of Grace: A Novel" to yield depth and the page-turning quality I want in a book. Five stars.
This is the question Francine Dorian must face as her mother, well-known advice columnist Grace Dorian, is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
They were the Dorian women: three generations of attractive, strong, intelligent and accomplished women--Grace, Francine, and Sophie. Discovering that the life as they knew it is unraveling, they must test their strength as never before.
Denial is the first reaction for each of them. And then they must decide what to do about The Confidante, the advice column, so Francine begins ghost-writing it. Then there is the autobiography that Grace has contracted to write.
Finding someone to write the book requires a lot more than one would think. In the process of writing, they must uncover the truth about Grace's early life and the secrets she has buried.
Searching for the answers to their questions lead Francine, Sophie, and Robin (the ghost-writer of the book) down unexpected pathways. When the truths are uncovered, what will happen to the relationships between the women? What will happen to The Confidante? And how will all of these secrets change the future?
Like many character-driven novels, these strong women captured my attention and held my interest all the way through. Even though I had figured out a great deal before I neared the end, I was still intrigued by how it all unfolded.
An emotionally captivating read, I found "Shades of Grace: A Novel" to yield depth and the page-turning quality I want in a book. Five stars.
May 1, 2011
This story is about a newspaper Columnist who has been diagnosed with the begining stages of Alzheimers disease. She's the matriarch of the family and her daughter and granddaughter work for her. They run an advice column. Forced to take over because Grace's Alzheimer is quickly advancing... they have to make decisions involving the family business and trying to cope with this aweful disease. In the meantime, the daughter falls in love with the doctor who is caring for Grace. Her granddaughter is a feisty, rebel who does the total opposite of what's expected of her.
The book has lots of twists and turns. Due to Grace's Alzheimers she begins to talk about her past, which she kept a secret, and regresses. The daughter finds out all of these family secrets, including the identity of her "real" father.
I thought it was a very good read.
Barbara Delinsky dedicated this book to her aunt, who no longer recognizes her.
The book has lots of twists and turns. Due to Grace's Alzheimers she begins to talk about her past, which she kept a secret, and regresses. The daughter finds out all of these family secrets, including the identity of her "real" father.
I thought it was a very good read.
Barbara Delinsky dedicated this book to her aunt, who no longer recognizes her.
October 1, 2009
Definitely not my kind of writing - too Mills and Boonish for my taste. But I ordered it because it deals with Alzheimer's. And it really does focus on the illness and its effects - more so than most novels. And because it does so sympathetically it gets three stars from me.
July 11, 2010
I had a hard time getting through this book. The subject matter was too close to home. Barbara Delinsky was very right on about AD. Many of the actions were exactly what at person with AD would have done.
It was a good story, just tough to read right now.
It was a good story, just tough to read right now.
March 1, 2017
Wow, what a great read!!! Loved the story, the back story, the characters - very good read!
December 1, 2021
Sí me gustó. Fue una historia fresca y diferente a las que había leído, fue interesante leer sobre una enfermedad como el Alzheimer, uno nunca se pone en el lugar de las personas que lo padecen. Tanto Grace como Francine me caían pesadas al iniciar el libro, pero poco a poco me fue poniendo en sus zapatos, y mi empatía por ellas, creció. Además, Sophie fue otro personaje muy bueno, me dio mucho coraje lo que le hizo Gus, idiota. Y Robin, bueno, supongo que por el nombre me la imaginé como la de How I met your mother. Me sorprendieron mucho las revelaciones: cómo que el padre Jim es el padre de Francine??? No lo veía venir, fue muy bueno ir descubriendo los secretos de Grace, pero debo admitir, que creí que me dejarían con la duda, porque faltaban 20 páginas para terminar y no había señales de respuestas. Bueno, al menos, no sucedió y casi todas mis respuestas fueron respondidas. Me gustó, un buen libro.
October 6, 2021
Very weak 2 stars. Being a huge fan of Delinsky I could not believe I had not read this book. Picked it up at a local used book sale and it’s been a huge disappointment. I was not impressed with the mixture of so many other events throughout the book. For a book that was supposed to be about Alzheimer’s it really fell short, IMP. The rebellious daughter bit got old quick and the past mystery, predictable love story, poor boy makes good and toss in some God references to round everything out, was a bit much. I was left feeling that poor Grace and “her story” got lost in the shuffle.
If you’re looking for a really great, really interesting, well written book about Alzheimer’s I highly recommend Still Alice; but IMO, the best book ever about this disease is a bio written by B. Smith titled Before I Forget.
If you’re looking for a really great, really interesting, well written book about Alzheimer’s I highly recommend Still Alice; but IMO, the best book ever about this disease is a bio written by B. Smith titled Before I Forget.
February 22, 2021
I've not read anything about Alzheimers and its effects so that was interesting to me. I didn't particularly like the sex scenes as they seemed out of place. Believe me, I love a good old steamy sex scene but it was just not doing it for me. I didn't like the rape scene and the victim shaming language. The doc talks about losing his virginity at 14 to a 20 year old and all his love interest does is wonder what he was like as a randy teen. I was somewhat aggravated that Father Jim ended up being the Dad. I almost DNFed because it pushed a lot of my buttons but it was a decent enough story to hold me to the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2018
This is one of my all-time favorite books by Barbara Delinsky. I have read her books for many years and this is one that I still remember though it has been some years since I last read it. The multi-generational story of a grandmother, mother and daughter, three generations who learn to live with the onset of Alzheimer's and support one another through some tough moments. As a daughter of a mother who suffered from this terrible disease, I found this a compassionate and beautiful story. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good family story.
August 22, 2020
I was drawn by the intriguing title and the story line of a mother navigating the early stages of Alzheimer’s. But the book turned out to be a strange mix of the Alzheimer’s journey, a past mystery, a predictable romance, some God talk, a poor boy makes good motif, a rebellious daughter ( and let’s throw in diabetes as well) - with a little too much emphasis on the love making scenes. My rating is 2.5- it’s a beach read.
For a better look at the Alzheimer’s journey try Still Alice by Lisa Genova
For a better look at the Alzheimer’s journey try Still Alice by Lisa Genova
February 22, 2018
It was hard to enjoy this book because it was hard to like the main characters (Grace, her daughter and her granddaughter). The author does manage to capture the devastation of dealing with an Alzheimer's diagnosis but the existing family dynamics and backstory, made it hard to relate.
PS: For a story about Alzheimer's there was an awful lot of attention given to the romance scenes between the daughter and her mother's doctor. With a lot of the descriptions rivalling a cheap M&B paperback.
PS: For a story about Alzheimer's there was an awful lot of attention given to the romance scenes between the daughter and her mother's doctor. With a lot of the descriptions rivalling a cheap M&B paperback.
September 10, 2021
Barbara Delinsky has been a favorite for many years. This is the 29th book I have read of hers. This book deals with cognitive impairment and how her family handles the situation. Grace has written a column for many years similar to a Dear Abby. Her daughter and granddaughter have also been invested in the business. Grace has not been honest about her formative years and when she decides she wants her life's story told it takes a lot of investigating to unveil her past.
March 14, 2023
i found this book in my collection and honestly have no recollection of ever having received it. i decided to read it anyway, and honestly, what a pleasant surprise. there are some elements of it that show its age, but taking that into consideration, i really loved the depth the characters in this novel were given. there's mystery, there's romance, and there's a lot of life given to the reader to consider.
May 15, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. My oldest sister (age 94) has been suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease. This is a great portrayal of what we live through as those we love become increasingly unable to relate to us. But the smile from my sister when she asks me (for the tenth time in five minutes) is priceless and wonderful!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2022
So beautifully written. the agony of person suffering from Alzheimer’s and the pain of having to see someone you loved going through it breaks my heart. Its so hard to read because of my personal experience of seeing someone suffering from such an illness but something about this book makes me want to keep reading.
April 13, 2024
This fictional book depicts an accurate description of a family dealing with an Alzheimer’s Disease. For that, I give it five stars.
However, I took a star off because I felt that the romance between the protagonist’s doctor and her daughter a little corny. I also feel that the rape of the Grace’s granddaughter was out of left field and had nothing to add to the story.
However, I took a star off because I felt that the romance between the protagonist’s doctor and her daughter a little corny. I also feel that the rape of the Grace’s granddaughter was out of left field and had nothing to add to the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2017
This book did not keep me interested at all. Altzheimers is a tragic disease but reading about how a close family tried to deal with it and how a wise, strong and independent woman dealt with it was just too depressing.
September 28, 2020
Poignancy found in personal chaos
It’s comforting to feel the poignancy written into the tragedy of a loved ones decline and the chaotic race to find family truths before “it’s too late”.
It’s comforting to feel the poignancy written into the tragedy of a loved ones decline and the chaotic race to find family truths before “it’s too late”.
May 11, 2017
Wow, what can I say? This book hit close to home for me. I have an aging mother and some of these issues are starting to crop up. Very well written, good information on AD, nice ending.
December 26, 2017
What a story!!! All classic characters and such a tender handling and understanding of AD.
Really a great read, touching every emotion!!!!!
Really a great read, touching every emotion!!!!!
May 28, 2019
Very good insight into dealing with Alzheimer's disease. From many different perspectives and relationships.
April 26, 2020
Watching the family live while Grace's mind declines, this book dealt with a lot of life and pains of change, some good changes and some very sad. Great read!
August 16, 2020
A must read for all senior citizens experiencing memory loss. A touching love story as well as the tough subject of Alzheimer's.
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