Neighbors

by Megan Lindholm

Genres: Fantasy

58 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2013

About the author

The author also writes under the pseudonym Robin Hobb. Her real name is Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't lie, I don't know if the lady in this story was suffering from Alzheimer's or if there really was another world within her own that only came out in the mist...but I can tell you I was hooked to finding out. I still have no clue but I was entertained from start to finish.

[Storm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Collected in Dangerous Women and Dangerous Women 1. An elderly woman in a street full of older people sees dangerous people around, interacting with her other neighbors. Her children and 911 tell her she's "seeing" things, so make her doubt her own sanity as she might be suffering from Alzheimer's or Dementia.


She knows she's getting glimpses into another world as a neighbor goes missing, followed by her dog. But her children think she's going crazy. They want to clean up the house, sell it and send her to a care facility, something she does not want, so she takes things into her own hands.


The character work in this short story is stellar, as befits Megan Lindholm (the other pseudonym Robin Hobb uses). It might be too good because I ended up feeling really sad as the situation unfolded because I'm one of those who has had a family member live a long life with that illness. Age ... and disease, will come for all of us if we are lucky to live long enough for those things to catch us, and all we can do is stay sassy and feisty like the seniors from Cockneys vs. Zombies.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite it being a emotionally difficult read, I think everyone who has a parent with dementia/Alzheimer's could benefit from the perspective offered in this short work. Yes, you are left with the pain, while they may live in ignorant bliss, but I emplore you to think about them, instead of yoursel and fully embrace the messsage this short work conveys. I try to be empathetic and understanding of my loved one's battle with dementia, but I think this work helps pull out whatever extra empathy is needed to see things from a parent's perspective...a parent who appears to be dealing with the conflict of dementia creeping in. Do yourself a favor and embrace what it feels like to be someone who appears to be enduring one of the worst possible diseases and chooses to take their own path...as their children don't seem capable of seeing it from their perspective. Please read , put yourself in their shoes and maybe you will relate more to your parents than you think. Maybe patience, kindness, and empathy will bestowed upon you and you will appreciate the life your parent has lived...not take it for granted, and hopefully grow closer to them again, having a new understanding of wjy they want to retain their independence. Maybe we can shift the care in a more gentle and understanding way, better informed and with the necessary empathy needed to care for someone that may have spent their life caring so much for you.

[Db2567 · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short story about a woman with dementia and her perspective of the world around her.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop until the end, stayed up way past my bedtime. I found myself thinking about it for months. Excellent

[Tawnya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won't read it again, it is just too sad. Elderly neighbors, one of which is sick with Alzheimer's, go on an adventure. The disease is prevalent in my family. I dread the day when it will be my turn.