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And the Little One Said
With a foreword by acclaimed, award-winning British TV writer Tony Jordan, Liz Coffey's story is funny, shocking, tragic and heart-rending.
Elizabeth Coffey once had seven brothers and sisters, but today only she and one brother are left. Thanks to ‘an insane series of cruel blows’ variously involving illness, accidents, mental health mismanagement and suicide, not one of her other siblings made it past their sixties. And yet through it all, the love, life and laughter have shone through – sometimes, it has seemed, from beyond the grave. This is Elizabeth's funny, shocking, tragic, heart-rending story.“It struck me, at an early age, being the ‘little one’ of the family, that there was a high probability my dearly loved brothers and sisters were going to die before me. I didn’t expect it to happen quite so soon, and quite so tragically.”
Elizabeth Coffey once had seven brothers and sisters, but today only she and one brother are left. Thanks to ‘an insane series of cruel blows’ variously involving illness, accidents, mental health mismanagement and suicide, not one of her other siblings made it past their sixties. And yet through it all, the love, life and laughter have shone through – sometimes, it has seemed, from beyond the grave. This is Elizabeth's funny, shocking, tragic, heart-rending story.“It struck me, at an early age, being the ‘little one’ of the family, that there was a high probability my dearly loved brothers and sisters were going to die before me. I didn’t expect it to happen quite so soon, and quite so tragically.”
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2021
7 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 19, 2022
Wow what an incredibly poignant memoir. I want to start my review by warning people that there are possibly triggers in this book that may come up in my review.
And the little one said tells the incredibly moving story of author Elizabeth’s family. Over the years, what started as a large family dwindles as tragedies begin to build up.
I absolutely love it when a memoir allows you to peak into the lives of people in a way that makes you want to be a part of it. Elizabeth’s family reminded me so much of my own I felt like I wanted to join them! So many big, funny, yet caring characters in one blood line! There were a few very tiny anecdotes that came across ever so slightly insensitively for me personally. But, that is just because of my own life experiences. Many people will not bat an eyelid and it certainly didn’t stop me enjoying this book overall.
This book contains such deep sorrow with so many tragic events. But it’s not a story of loss. It’s ‘see you soon’ rather than ‘goodbye’. This book taught me so much and has actually helped me process some of my own grief and family traumas in a way I never expected. It put a new perspective on the loss of a loved one for me that I will always find valuable. This is definitely not an easy read, but I am so glad I read it regardless. It’s not easy to share a book like this one, but I am so glad Elizabeth felt she could.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys an interesting and emotive memoir. I want to thank Elizabeth Coffey for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
And the little one said tells the incredibly moving story of author Elizabeth’s family. Over the years, what started as a large family dwindles as tragedies begin to build up.
I absolutely love it when a memoir allows you to peak into the lives of people in a way that makes you want to be a part of it. Elizabeth’s family reminded me so much of my own I felt like I wanted to join them! So many big, funny, yet caring characters in one blood line! There were a few very tiny anecdotes that came across ever so slightly insensitively for me personally. But, that is just because of my own life experiences. Many people will not bat an eyelid and it certainly didn’t stop me enjoying this book overall.
This book contains such deep sorrow with so many tragic events. But it’s not a story of loss. It’s ‘see you soon’ rather than ‘goodbye’. This book taught me so much and has actually helped me process some of my own grief and family traumas in a way I never expected. It put a new perspective on the loss of a loved one for me that I will always find valuable. This is definitely not an easy read, but I am so glad I read it regardless. It’s not easy to share a book like this one, but I am so glad Elizabeth felt she could.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys an interesting and emotive memoir. I want to thank Elizabeth Coffey for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
July 29, 2021
Special thanks to the author for providing me a free, electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
“We’re all on the same bus going to the same party, Liz. It’s just some of us get off the bus before others. Don’t we owe it those we have loved and lost to try and enjoy our time on the bus instead of feeling sad?”
Such is one of the many themes in Elizabeth Coffey’s poignant memoir, “And the Little One Said”, about loss, grief, and the changes it all brings.
Coffey has led a tragedy-filled life. One of many siblings, most of those making a living in the music and movie industry, Coffey grew up in a large and bustling household. “And the Little One Said” is an emotionally-driven memoir filled with so many poignant topics like drug/alcohol addiction, mental illness, suicide and chronic, crippling illness. To say Coffey’s family had “bad luck” is an understatement. However, through it all, they found love, support and laughs in each other.
Coffey gives a brief description of each of her siblings at the beginning of the novel, so the reader immediately makes a connection with Coffey’s brothers and sisters, and sees them the way that Coffey does (as the smart one, the funny one, the goofy one, etc.). As the story unfolds, some of the plotlines jump back and forth, but in the end the main message is clear- Coffey’s family was dysfunctional (in their own way), and (some would say) extremely unlucky, but they are also full of love for each other, and blessed in their own right.
I loved the honesty in this story, and the plot provided all the feels. This is not a unique story, for every family has loss and tragedy, but Coffey’s bravery in bringing it forward to others is definitely admirable. Coffey’s novel provides the right amount of humor as well, and I really enjoyed the Hollywood elites that graced the pages (sometimes, accompanied my pictures)!
In the end, “And the Little One Said” is a story of loss and grief, but it also a story about overcoming tragedy and finding ways to power through when you are at your lowest. For every time that “Little One” brings you down, it will also bring you back up, reveling in the joys of family and human connection.
“We’re all on the same bus going to the same party, Liz. It’s just some of us get off the bus before others. Don’t we owe it those we have loved and lost to try and enjoy our time on the bus instead of feeling sad?”
Such is one of the many themes in Elizabeth Coffey’s poignant memoir, “And the Little One Said”, about loss, grief, and the changes it all brings.
Coffey has led a tragedy-filled life. One of many siblings, most of those making a living in the music and movie industry, Coffey grew up in a large and bustling household. “And the Little One Said” is an emotionally-driven memoir filled with so many poignant topics like drug/alcohol addiction, mental illness, suicide and chronic, crippling illness. To say Coffey’s family had “bad luck” is an understatement. However, through it all, they found love, support and laughs in each other.
Coffey gives a brief description of each of her siblings at the beginning of the novel, so the reader immediately makes a connection with Coffey’s brothers and sisters, and sees them the way that Coffey does (as the smart one, the funny one, the goofy one, etc.). As the story unfolds, some of the plotlines jump back and forth, but in the end the main message is clear- Coffey’s family was dysfunctional (in their own way), and (some would say) extremely unlucky, but they are also full of love for each other, and blessed in their own right.
I loved the honesty in this story, and the plot provided all the feels. This is not a unique story, for every family has loss and tragedy, but Coffey’s bravery in bringing it forward to others is definitely admirable. Coffey’s novel provides the right amount of humor as well, and I really enjoyed the Hollywood elites that graced the pages (sometimes, accompanied my pictures)!
In the end, “And the Little One Said” is a story of loss and grief, but it also a story about overcoming tragedy and finding ways to power through when you are at your lowest. For every time that “Little One” brings you down, it will also bring you back up, reveling in the joys of family and human connection.
August 19, 2021
What an extraordinary family to have the pleasure to read about. The warmth and love they all felt for each other shone through the pages.
The thing I enjoyed the most was all the family banter, the nicknames they all had for each other, the funny stories, all were a real delight to read. The photos were also a nice touch, it was nice to be able to put faces to names.
This book is surprisingly funny, I found myself chuckling and laughing out loud often.
But there is real tragedy running through this book. It’s so very heartbreaking to read. But Elizabeth Coffey writes beautifully, with such raw honesty. What strength of character that shows.
A rollercoaster of a memoir, both tragic and funny, in equal measure.
A quote I liked:
‘We’re all on the same bus going to the same party. It’s just some of us get off the bus before others. Don’t we owe it to those we have loved and lost to try and enjoy our time on the bus instead of feeling sad?’
July 27, 2021
I love books that dig deep into human emotions, and make us feel them along with the author. So, when @elizabeth_coffey_writer reached out to me on Bookstagram asking me to read her memoir I was happy to say yes. And I am glad that I did.
And the Little One Said is heartwrenching and beautiful story about the love between siblings. It reads like fiction, taking you along the same path as the author and her family, with all the heartache and character development that I look for in fiction reads. I had to remind myself that this was the author's truth.
Back in 1997 my husband's younger brother, who was only 23 at them time, committed suicide. Sometimes I believe that he has been canonized. Today he is remembered as a perfect son. Perfect brother. Perfect friend. But I prefer to remember people more honestly. Flaws. Mistakes. All of it. I prefer people that way in life, and in death. The best part of Coffey's book is that she remembers her loved ones as the rich, unique, imperfect people they were. Simple. Unqualified. Candid. And still loving. Maybe, more loving.
Elizabeth's stories let me feel the love for my own family who are no longer with me either. She brought tears to my eyes more than once. I was crying for her. But I was also crying for myself. Most of my family passed due to natural causes at a more advanced ages. But they are gone, leaving me behind to grieve for them. Elizabeth let me do that, and yet feel the joy and peace that comes with memories. This book touched me.
And the Little One Said is heartwrenching and beautiful story about the love between siblings. It reads like fiction, taking you along the same path as the author and her family, with all the heartache and character development that I look for in fiction reads. I had to remind myself that this was the author's truth.
Back in 1997 my husband's younger brother, who was only 23 at them time, committed suicide. Sometimes I believe that he has been canonized. Today he is remembered as a perfect son. Perfect brother. Perfect friend. But I prefer to remember people more honestly. Flaws. Mistakes. All of it. I prefer people that way in life, and in death. The best part of Coffey's book is that she remembers her loved ones as the rich, unique, imperfect people they were. Simple. Unqualified. Candid. And still loving. Maybe, more loving.
Elizabeth's stories let me feel the love for my own family who are no longer with me either. She brought tears to my eyes more than once. I was crying for her. But I was also crying for myself. Most of my family passed due to natural causes at a more advanced ages. But they are gone, leaving me behind to grieve for them. Elizabeth let me do that, and yet feel the joy and peace that comes with memories. This book touched me.
August 6, 2021
And The Little One Said is a beautiful story of grief, pain, survival and finding hope in difficult times. The book is based on Elizabeth Coffey's personal life. It tells the story of her beautiful family. Of her parents, her siblings. I loved how Elizabeth introduces us to each and every one of her loved ones and takes us on a journey through her life.
The book is written in an inviting way. It's like your sitting face to face with Elizabeth and she tells you her story.
Elizabeth loses almost everyone in a relatively short space of time. The amount of pain and anguish that is in this book broke my heart. Knowing that when your phone rings, you instanly know if someone is dead by hearing a short stint of silence when you pick up.
I enjoyed how Elizabeth describes her path through life. And how she finds hope and love and laughter along the way as well. She is such a strong person, a kind person. And even though her family is dying around her. It's also growing through the children who have lives of their own.
I truly hope no more suffering will come along her way. And that she may truly enjoy live from now on without the fear of losing the next one.
Also I want to thank the author for gifting me this book in exchange for an honest review. I would probably have never read this book if she didn't contact me. So I am truly grateful. I loved the journey and the message in this book.
I wish you all the best. And I am sending a lot of love your way! <3
The book is written in an inviting way. It's like your sitting face to face with Elizabeth and she tells you her story.
Elizabeth loses almost everyone in a relatively short space of time. The amount of pain and anguish that is in this book broke my heart. Knowing that when your phone rings, you instanly know if someone is dead by hearing a short stint of silence when you pick up.
I enjoyed how Elizabeth describes her path through life. And how she finds hope and love and laughter along the way as well. She is such a strong person, a kind person. And even though her family is dying around her. It's also growing through the children who have lives of their own.
I truly hope no more suffering will come along her way. And that she may truly enjoy live from now on without the fear of losing the next one.
Also I want to thank the author for gifting me this book in exchange for an honest review. I would probably have never read this book if she didn't contact me. So I am truly grateful. I loved the journey and the message in this book.
I wish you all the best. And I am sending a lot of love your way! <3
May 9, 2021
This book held me spellbound till the last page. It has every element you could want in a good read, so touching a compelling story about a family's lives with tragedy, heartbreak, love and laughter. A heartrending story which will keep you rivetted right to the last page. I couldn't put this book down, I laughed, I cried, but through it all the power of the lives of this family are amazingly touching and heartening. I thoroughly recommend this book to all who enjoy a down to earth book that tells a story with pathos and humour that outweigh the tragedies that encompass it.
April 11, 2022
More than half a year ago I got a kind invitation to read a book in exchange for an honest review.
I started reading it and because of the deep topics, I stopped for a while.
One day I wanted to finish no matter what because I promised to myself that I will.
So I started reading again. And I could not put it down...
In the first part of the book we are getting to know the writer's family members with highlight on her siblings.
We could hear about the relationships, the love and the most interesting, funniest, or heartwarming stories about the sisters and brothers.
The story begins and we are in the middle of a tragedy with a sibling. Time goes on and we are in the next, and the next. Meanwhile our writer's life has ups and downs and she tries to chase a dream with her lover throughout this whole experience. All but one of her siblings are gone, but life has not ended and it can be beautiful no matter what tragic happened in the past...
Elizabeth Coffey's writing is beautiful and I don't know if every element were based on a true event but everything was in the right place at every page. At first I did not know every time who is who but later I got to know everybody in detail. The first part was interesting when we heard stories of the family and who has what kind of characteristics. After the first tragedy every family member started to feel sad and go on a slope but every time something happened they all tried to get to each other, be there for each other and make life the fullest. That is what I loved the most in the book. Everything goes wrong, but some tiny miracle happened or the love of the family came to light so I felt that I was saved from the sadness and grief.
The first sentence what came to my mind after finishing the book with tears: "It was nice and heartwarming".
P.S. Planet Martin is great, check out his music. :)
I started reading it and because of the deep topics, I stopped for a while.
One day I wanted to finish no matter what because I promised to myself that I will.
So I started reading again. And I could not put it down...
In the first part of the book we are getting to know the writer's family members with highlight on her siblings.
We could hear about the relationships, the love and the most interesting, funniest, or heartwarming stories about the sisters and brothers.
The story begins and we are in the middle of a tragedy with a sibling. Time goes on and we are in the next, and the next. Meanwhile our writer's life has ups and downs and she tries to chase a dream with her lover throughout this whole experience. All but one of her siblings are gone, but life has not ended and it can be beautiful no matter what tragic happened in the past...
Elizabeth Coffey's writing is beautiful and I don't know if every element were based on a true event but everything was in the right place at every page. At first I did not know every time who is who but later I got to know everybody in detail. The first part was interesting when we heard stories of the family and who has what kind of characteristics. After the first tragedy every family member started to feel sad and go on a slope but every time something happened they all tried to get to each other, be there for each other and make life the fullest. That is what I loved the most in the book. Everything goes wrong, but some tiny miracle happened or the love of the family came to light so I felt that I was saved from the sadness and grief.
The first sentence what came to my mind after finishing the book with tears: "It was nice and heartwarming".
P.S. Planet Martin is great, check out his music. :)
September 15, 2021
A powerful book carrying a beautiful message!
The pages draw you in from the start and are written in such an immersive way that it almost feels like you, the reader is the one reliving each experience.
A roller-coaster of laughter, happy tears and ones of sadness, the author takes you by the hand on a whistle stop tour of her remarkable life story.
And as the award-winning screenwriter, Tony Jordan says, “It reminds us how powerful family bonds can strengthen our resilience to overcome even the darkest times and enable us to somehow survive adversity…...this book is about the healing power of grief”.
The pages draw you in from the start and are written in such an immersive way that it almost feels like you, the reader is the one reliving each experience.
A roller-coaster of laughter, happy tears and ones of sadness, the author takes you by the hand on a whistle stop tour of her remarkable life story.
And as the award-winning screenwriter, Tony Jordan says, “It reminds us how powerful family bonds can strengthen our resilience to overcome even the darkest times and enable us to somehow survive adversity…...this book is about the healing power of grief”.
September 19, 2021
Make sure you have tissues when you read this book! But written with humour too!
August 17, 2021
I was kindly asked to read this in return for an honest review and boy am I glad I did. 4.5 stars
This book is story of family, friendship, loss and grief. To say the author has experienced heartache is an understatement.
Coffey introduces her family members and straight away you get a sense of their personality and the love felt between them and the nicknames they have for each other cements that.
This memoir takes you through heartbreaking times and talks about addiction, mental health, desperation. But don't get me wrong there is a lot of humour within this real life story I laughed a lot. Humour will get you through and I think for Coffey remembering those funny memories with her siblings were certainly a life line for her. Her brother Steve I found hilarious, I loved his sense of humour and this had me laughing out loud.
I can't tell you how much this book resonates with me it's not so much that I have a large family but I have a close family, with aunties, uncles, cousins all living close to one another. We get together as often as we can mainly for celebrations now. In the older days when my grandparents were living we used to congregate at their house every saturday and this feels like a similar vibe.
My mum, my sis and even my dad would think that a white feather is from a lost loved one. My nan used to say the same about Robins and oooh the smell of smoke. So for me this book kind of felt like home, a close knit family, who experience a lot of tragedy but still pull through together.
This book is story of family, friendship, loss and grief. To say the author has experienced heartache is an understatement.
Coffey introduces her family members and straight away you get a sense of their personality and the love felt between them and the nicknames they have for each other cements that.
This memoir takes you through heartbreaking times and talks about addiction, mental health, desperation. But don't get me wrong there is a lot of humour within this real life story I laughed a lot. Humour will get you through and I think for Coffey remembering those funny memories with her siblings were certainly a life line for her. Her brother Steve I found hilarious, I loved his sense of humour and this had me laughing out loud.
I can't tell you how much this book resonates with me it's not so much that I have a large family but I have a close family, with aunties, uncles, cousins all living close to one another. We get together as often as we can mainly for celebrations now. In the older days when my grandparents were living we used to congregate at their house every saturday and this feels like a similar vibe.
My mum, my sis and even my dad would think that a white feather is from a lost loved one. My nan used to say the same about Robins and oooh the smell of smoke. So for me this book kind of felt like home, a close knit family, who experience a lot of tragedy but still pull through together.
December 2, 2021
This book was an AMAZING read! I laughed and I cried! Elizabeth has so much strength and resilience! I would give this book 10 stars if I could!
July 15, 2021
Simply put, this is a beautifully written memoir illustrating the eternal love and bond between siblings from a close knit family. I had to keep reminding myself that this was in fact a memoir and not a work of fiction - such drama and heartache can only exist in fiction right?! Wrong!
We have a tendency to make saints of our loved ones when they pass - rose tinted glasses syndrome - but Elizabeth manages to share her siblings varied characters with just enough honesty and realism that it never feels saccharine. Just honest and undiluted.
I never cry when reading. But when I came to the end of this beautiful memoir I couldn’t help it. I cried for Elizabeth, her wonderful family, and all that they’ve endured. But I also cried for my lost loved ones. I identified massively with Elizabeth’s story. Not the tragedy of losing so many loved ones in such tragic ways - I have thankfully lost very few close relatives - but with her honesty when it comes to the grieving process. Grief changes you. At your core. You are never the same once you lose someone so close. But you find a way to carry on. For those you’ve lost and for those who remain. You carry on, taking them with you every day.
Thank you so much for this story @elizabeth_coffey_writer. I know this is a book I will come back to time and time again ♥️
We have a tendency to make saints of our loved ones when they pass - rose tinted glasses syndrome - but Elizabeth manages to share her siblings varied characters with just enough honesty and realism that it never feels saccharine. Just honest and undiluted.
I never cry when reading. But when I came to the end of this beautiful memoir I couldn’t help it. I cried for Elizabeth, her wonderful family, and all that they’ve endured. But I also cried for my lost loved ones. I identified massively with Elizabeth’s story. Not the tragedy of losing so many loved ones in such tragic ways - I have thankfully lost very few close relatives - but with her honesty when it comes to the grieving process. Grief changes you. At your core. You are never the same once you lose someone so close. But you find a way to carry on. For those you’ve lost and for those who remain. You carry on, taking them with you every day.
Thank you so much for this story @elizabeth_coffey_writer. I know this is a book I will come back to time and time again ♥️
July 10, 2021
I felt like I walked with Elizabeth through each page not least because I saw so many similarities with my own family within her story...a lot of it was read with a lump in my throat. Happy parts,sad parts all merge into one and you feel like these are your friends...like they are people you know and care about. It's definitely the kind of book you can read in a day such is the need to see what happens next...I loved every bit of it.
August 18, 2021
And The Little One Said
Elizabeth Coffey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An emotional roller coaster!
This book literally took my breath away. Ms. Coffey shares such pain with the reader, yet still conveys the joy of love within one’s family. I could not stop reading. So much tragedy. Elizabeth Coffey writes the true story of her life and the loss she’s experienced. I can’t even put into words how much this book effected me. I don’t normally read non-fiction, I’m so glad I did. Truly, one of the best books I’ve read.
📚🐛🏝
Description:
Elizabeth Coffey once had seven brothers and sisters, but today only she and one brother are left. Thanks to ‘an insane series of cruel blows’ variously involving illness, accidents, mental health mismanagement and suicide, not one of her other siblings made it past their sixties. And yet through it all, the love, life and laughter have shone through – sometimes, it has seemed, from beyond the grave. This is Elizabeth's funny, shocking, tragic, heart-rending story.“It struck me, at an early age, being the ‘little one’ of the family, that there was a high probability my dearly loved brothers and sisters were going to die before me. I didn’t expect it to happen quite so soon, and quite so tragically.”
Elizabeth Coffey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An emotional roller coaster!
This book literally took my breath away. Ms. Coffey shares such pain with the reader, yet still conveys the joy of love within one’s family. I could not stop reading. So much tragedy. Elizabeth Coffey writes the true story of her life and the loss she’s experienced. I can’t even put into words how much this book effected me. I don’t normally read non-fiction, I’m so glad I did. Truly, one of the best books I’ve read.
📚🐛🏝
Description:
Elizabeth Coffey once had seven brothers and sisters, but today only she and one brother are left. Thanks to ‘an insane series of cruel blows’ variously involving illness, accidents, mental health mismanagement and suicide, not one of her other siblings made it past their sixties. And yet through it all, the love, life and laughter have shone through – sometimes, it has seemed, from beyond the grave. This is Elizabeth's funny, shocking, tragic, heart-rending story.“It struck me, at an early age, being the ‘little one’ of the family, that there was a high probability my dearly loved brothers and sisters were going to die before me. I didn’t expect it to happen quite so soon, and quite so tragically.”
July 6, 2021
All the emotions in one!
Really enjoyed the rawness of this book. I experienced every emotion through Elizabeth's life, and I couldn't believe how her family had been struck so many times. One that will stay with me!
Really enjoyed the rawness of this book. I experienced every emotion through Elizabeth's life, and I couldn't believe how her family had been struck so many times. One that will stay with me!
May 31, 2021
Living with grief
I could not put this book down . It coped with large family life coping with grief and ups and downs .
Easily relatable characters as my husband is one of 6 . I don’t get emotional about books but this book has plenty of sad moments but interlaced with humour.
Would recommend it to anyone . Good characters
Hope you enjoy ( not right word ) but appreciate sentiments expressed
I could not put this book down . It coped with large family life coping with grief and ups and downs .
Easily relatable characters as my husband is one of 6 . I don’t get emotional about books but this book has plenty of sad moments but interlaced with humour.
Would recommend it to anyone . Good characters
Hope you enjoy ( not right word ) but appreciate sentiments expressed
June 12, 2021
Elizabeth Coffey is clearly a mega resilient women!! What an inspiration. I've just finished this book this morning & wow! Recommended for anyone looking for a real life story & a powerful account of truth, family quirkiness, tragedy & resilience. The family are brought to life in a quite honest way & its easy to resonate with them all & probably relate bits of the book back to your own life. Thanks for writing it Elizabeth & keep going!!!!
June 2, 2021
Great book
I loved this book.
We are all on a bus and just awaiting our stop is a great way of dealing with the loss of a loved one.
I would love to read about the family growing up as children.
Very emotional at times but it shows how life goes on.
I loved this book.
We are all on a bus and just awaiting our stop is a great way of dealing with the loss of a loved one.
I would love to read about the family growing up as children.
Very emotional at times but it shows how life goes on.
June 8, 2021
Something different
I really enjoyed this book even though it was something I wouldn't normally go for
The descriptions of everyone really brought out the person in your mind
It was a sad but very uplifting read
I really enjoyed this book even though it was something I wouldn't normally go for
The descriptions of everyone really brought out the person in your mind
It was a sad but very uplifting read
June 9, 2021
I was swept away from the first page
This book will stay with me forever. I absolutely loved it. It's a beautiful love story about life and death whom anyone with a family can relate to. We are all on the same bus, going to the same party, we just get off at different times.
This book will stay with me forever. I absolutely loved it. It's a beautiful love story about life and death whom anyone with a family can relate to. We are all on the same bus, going to the same party, we just get off at different times.
June 20, 2021
Couldn't put this book down.
I couldn't put this book down. For one family\person to go through so much heartache and sadness, you were able to feel the closeness of the family..
I couldn't put this book down. For one family\person to go through so much heartache and sadness, you were able to feel the closeness of the family..
February 14, 2022
I was offered a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first time reading a memoir when I'm not already familair with the author but when Elizabeth got in touch with me and I read the blurb, I instantly knew this was a book I HAD to read and boy I was not wrong. And the Little One Said is Liz's memoir about her and her crazy family's journey through this life, it is full of grief, tragedy but also love and laughter. Liz and one of her brother's are the only 2 out of seven siblings left, and the only 2 who made it past their sixties. Liz is an incredible story-teller and I will definitely be checking out her works of fiction.
From the off I was engrossed in this book, although it is littered with tragedy and grief, somehow Liz is able to add lighthearted sections that shows the love that her and her family all have for each other. I can't imagine what it was like to grow up with her six siblings and the amount of joy and laugher that shines through from her memories, but Liz doesn't shy away from honesty with this book either and highlights the problems and disagreements that their family also shared. Liz is such an incredible writer, through her descriptions and memories she has been able to make all of her siblings jump off the page make the reader feel as if they are part of this wonderful family. It is testament to a good author when you can be crying one minute, and laughing the next all from the same passage, every one of my emotions were put on the line with this read and I am so grateful that Liz has been willing to share her journey with the world.
I don't think I will ever be able to recommend this book enough, it is raw, beautiful and honestly an emotional rollercoster for the reader. Not only this, but it also highlights really important societal issues such as mental health problems, alcohol abuse and the treatement of the disbaled or mentally ill. There were so many failings from people who should have been a support system and carers for this family, who were trusted with the most vulnerable members of their family but were negligent and so willing to throw away their patients human rights. This lead to the tragic loss of family members, or ongoing suffering which was completely avoidable had proper care been taken. If this doesn't show that more needs to be done for people suffering from mental health issues or diabilities then I don't know what does!
Honestly, everyone needs to check this book out - but look at the trigger warnings to make sure this is something you will be able to read as it doesn't shy away from these topics.
This is my first time reading a memoir when I'm not already familair with the author but when Elizabeth got in touch with me and I read the blurb, I instantly knew this was a book I HAD to read and boy I was not wrong. And the Little One Said is Liz's memoir about her and her crazy family's journey through this life, it is full of grief, tragedy but also love and laughter. Liz and one of her brother's are the only 2 out of seven siblings left, and the only 2 who made it past their sixties. Liz is an incredible story-teller and I will definitely be checking out her works of fiction.
From the off I was engrossed in this book, although it is littered with tragedy and grief, somehow Liz is able to add lighthearted sections that shows the love that her and her family all have for each other. I can't imagine what it was like to grow up with her six siblings and the amount of joy and laugher that shines through from her memories, but Liz doesn't shy away from honesty with this book either and highlights the problems and disagreements that their family also shared. Liz is such an incredible writer, through her descriptions and memories she has been able to make all of her siblings jump off the page make the reader feel as if they are part of this wonderful family. It is testament to a good author when you can be crying one minute, and laughing the next all from the same passage, every one of my emotions were put on the line with this read and I am so grateful that Liz has been willing to share her journey with the world.
I don't think I will ever be able to recommend this book enough, it is raw, beautiful and honestly an emotional rollercoster for the reader. Not only this, but it also highlights really important societal issues such as mental health problems, alcohol abuse and the treatement of the disbaled or mentally ill. There were so many failings from people who should have been a support system and carers for this family, who were trusted with the most vulnerable members of their family but were negligent and so willing to throw away their patients human rights. This lead to the tragic loss of family members, or ongoing suffering which was completely avoidable had proper care been taken. If this doesn't show that more needs to be done for people suffering from mental health issues or diabilities then I don't know what does!
Honestly, everyone needs to check this book out - but look at the trigger warnings to make sure this is something you will be able to read as it doesn't shy away from these topics.
November 3, 2021
WOW! I read this book in 2 sittings, but it's taken me way longer to write a review. Purely because I couldn't, and still haven't really found enough of the right words to do it justice.
Liz is a natural storyteller and from the very beginning, is able to draw you in to her story. Evoking all manner of emotions and creating a sense of total immersion and investment in following every high, low, dip, curve and crisis in her incredible journey so far.
When I read the burb, I was expecting quite a depressing story. But this was far from it! Liz manages to inject all manor of wit, laughter, love and humour into her stories, creating a perfect balance of the good, bad and the ugly.
Liz didn't sugar coat anything and writes with real honesty, clarity and objectivity. Like with any family anywhere in the world. the dysfunction within the family dynamics and relationships is understandably complex and subject to varying degrees between members.
Yet despite the sheer number and severity of tragedies that have beset the family. Comes a heart warming story of how fundamental and intrinsic love, can help you overcome and even draw strength from the most testing of times.
I laughed, cried, sobbed, smiled, sighed, gasped and felt an overwhelming sense of inspiration from this beautifully written memoir.
It's a book that will stay with me for a long time and one that I will recommend to anyone who asks. If you haven't read it. You need to!
Liz is a natural storyteller and from the very beginning, is able to draw you in to her story. Evoking all manner of emotions and creating a sense of total immersion and investment in following every high, low, dip, curve and crisis in her incredible journey so far.
When I read the burb, I was expecting quite a depressing story. But this was far from it! Liz manages to inject all manor of wit, laughter, love and humour into her stories, creating a perfect balance of the good, bad and the ugly.
Liz didn't sugar coat anything and writes with real honesty, clarity and objectivity. Like with any family anywhere in the world. the dysfunction within the family dynamics and relationships is understandably complex and subject to varying degrees between members.
Yet despite the sheer number and severity of tragedies that have beset the family. Comes a heart warming story of how fundamental and intrinsic love, can help you overcome and even draw strength from the most testing of times.
I laughed, cried, sobbed, smiled, sighed, gasped and felt an overwhelming sense of inspiration from this beautifully written memoir.
It's a book that will stay with me for a long time and one that I will recommend to anyone who asks. If you haven't read it. You need to!
December 2, 2021
... I'm living my own nightmare with my sister committing suicide, my brother age 59 like the author's brother severe medical problems with COPD (like in this story with both siblings) then losing both my parents and now my other sister dead so why relive all of it? I look for books to encourage my mental health to help me cope not bring me down! This is a badreads book I would dread as I'm living it no need to be more depressed. I couldn't read the entire book since the same lines in this story are my story I'm living each day which I'm not writing a book. Instead, look for a spiritual uplifting book to keep us alive instead of wondering when the Grim Reaper will be back?
Oscar Wilde once said, "To Live is the Rarest Thing in the World, most simply exist." That is all. Next book please!
To the author try to find some peace when you do you'll be able to handle the loss of your family which I have lost five out of six with me being the only survivor. Think of all the memories you had before and stop to enjoy your life since we never know when our last day on Planet Earth will be. Right now the author is dying instead of living each day like it's her last day on Planet Earth.
You're in charge of your destiny so you can make your life miserable or be happy. I chose to BE HAPPY and suggest you do the same instead of waiting......... for the Grim Reaper! LIVE LOVE LAUGH Life's too short. Aloha Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3V7L...
Oscar Wilde once said, "To Live is the Rarest Thing in the World, most simply exist." That is all. Next book please!
To the author try to find some peace when you do you'll be able to handle the loss of your family which I have lost five out of six with me being the only survivor. Think of all the memories you had before and stop to enjoy your life since we never know when our last day on Planet Earth will be. Right now the author is dying instead of living each day like it's her last day on Planet Earth.
You're in charge of your destiny so you can make your life miserable or be happy. I chose to BE HAPPY and suggest you do the same instead of waiting......... for the Grim Reaper! LIVE LOVE LAUGH Life's too short. Aloha Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3V7L...
December 16, 2021
This book is a very emotional read, it is a true story and tells the life of the author and her family.
Elizabeth talks about her whole family including her own children, sisters, brothers and Mum and Dad.
It takes you through the rollercoaster of her life and all the heartache, tragedies and some of the moments which made them laugh as a family.
The struggles of mental health are also talked about, and the importance of having your family around you in the bad times.
I fell in love with Elizabeth and her family the more I read. There is a time when she says she felt ‘Tickety-boo’ only for then another devastating event to occur. I related to this, as life does seem to have its way of throwing bad things at you just as you feel you are starting to turn a corner and feel yourself again.
I must say thank you to Elizabeth for sharing her life with us, you are so brave for doing this as I know that at times it must have been hard to write and would have brought up a lot of feelings. I know when I was reading, I kept remembering the times of heartache I have had in my own life, especially when visiting the hospital when loved ones are close to dying.
This is a very short review, only because I don’t want to go into too much detail. I feel it is the kind of book you can only experience the emotion by reading yourself.
Overall, an emotional and heart-breaking true story that will make you want to keep your own family close.
Elizabeth talks about her whole family including her own children, sisters, brothers and Mum and Dad.
It takes you through the rollercoaster of her life and all the heartache, tragedies and some of the moments which made them laugh as a family.
The struggles of mental health are also talked about, and the importance of having your family around you in the bad times.
I fell in love with Elizabeth and her family the more I read. There is a time when she says she felt ‘Tickety-boo’ only for then another devastating event to occur. I related to this, as life does seem to have its way of throwing bad things at you just as you feel you are starting to turn a corner and feel yourself again.
I must say thank you to Elizabeth for sharing her life with us, you are so brave for doing this as I know that at times it must have been hard to write and would have brought up a lot of feelings. I know when I was reading, I kept remembering the times of heartache I have had in my own life, especially when visiting the hospital when loved ones are close to dying.
This is a very short review, only because I don’t want to go into too much detail. I feel it is the kind of book you can only experience the emotion by reading yourself.
Overall, an emotional and heart-breaking true story that will make you want to keep your own family close.
November 10, 2021
How can I review this moving, poignant and thought provoking memoir? I was touched by the author's honesty, the closeness of her family and her intimate thoughts on all deaths, accidents surrounding her and her family. Her way of dealing with the amount of grief always with a reach for wit made me grieve with her but also laugh! This has helped a lot to read the book because it is quite heavy emotionally speaking! However, I could not put it down! This memoir is a tribute to unconditional love which I am glad she can enjoy to survive all she has had to endure. A great read!
October 22, 2021
This is an amazing story. It is hard to believe it is a true account of the author's life, not a movie script. I found this such an emotional story, there were tears, but lots of laughs as well. Love resonated from every page. Despite the sadness, there was so much to be inspired by.
What a family, what a life! What a wonderful book.
What a family, what a life! What a wonderful book.
January 9, 2022
I got this book via the author who emailed it to me. Taken me a while to read as I was getting through my Christmas books. Have read it over 2 sessions, very emotional read a true story and so well written. I also loved the photos of her family that were in the middle of it.
July 3, 2022
This book was extraordinary. So well written in its style, honesty and emotion. Yes there are some truly heartbreaking times but there was love, humour and family here too. This memoir will definitely stay with me for a very long time.
July 25, 2021
This book will grab you and keep you reading till the end. It moves along at a really great pace and the story will grab you and keep you reading till the end. You will not be able to put it down until the last pae is read. This is a must read.
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