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The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon
"[A] touching debut. . . . MacKillop takes the pain of aging and regret and infuses it with soul and a touch of humor. This auspicious first outing tugs at the heartstrings."--Publishers Weekly
Eva wants to run away from her life--if only she could remember how Failing memory has forced Eva Gordon to move in with her granddaughter, Breezy. But Eva hates the bustle of Boston. All she wants to do is move back to her quiet, cozy Cape Cod home and be left alone.
Then Breezy announces she's getting married, and they'll be moving to her new husband's rundown family farm, where he lives with an elderly uncle. They'll be one big family--but only Breezy and Brent think it'll be a happy one.
It's all too much for Eva. Too much change, too much togetherness, too much of an over-crowded life she never wanted. But as her desire for privacy collides with her worsening memory, Eva may find herself in a pickle she can't get out of.
"A big-hearted family saga, suffused with grace and kindness, featuring a cast of appealing characters who would be right at home in Jon Hassler's Staggerford or Richard Russo's Empire Falls."--Adrianne Harun, author of A Man Came Out of a Door in the Mountain
"On par with Olive Kitteridge! But where Olive woos, Eva Gordon captures. . . .A poignant, utterly beautiful story of perspective and hope."--Cheryl Grey Bostrom, author of Sugar Birds
"A novel full of life and transformation, as charming as a New England cottage by the sea. You can't help but fall in love with spunky, hard-edged Eva Gordon and the others connected to Try Again Farm."--Christine Kindberg, author of The Means That Make Us Strangers
Eva wants to run away from her life--if only she could remember how Failing memory has forced Eva Gordon to move in with her granddaughter, Breezy. But Eva hates the bustle of Boston. All she wants to do is move back to her quiet, cozy Cape Cod home and be left alone.
Then Breezy announces she's getting married, and they'll be moving to her new husband's rundown family farm, where he lives with an elderly uncle. They'll be one big family--but only Breezy and Brent think it'll be a happy one.
It's all too much for Eva. Too much change, too much togetherness, too much of an over-crowded life she never wanted. But as her desire for privacy collides with her worsening memory, Eva may find herself in a pickle she can't get out of.
"A big-hearted family saga, suffused with grace and kindness, featuring a cast of appealing characters who would be right at home in Jon Hassler's Staggerford or Richard Russo's Empire Falls."--Adrianne Harun, author of A Man Came Out of a Door in the Mountain
"On par with Olive Kitteridge! But where Olive woos, Eva Gordon captures. . . .A poignant, utterly beautiful story of perspective and hope."--Cheryl Grey Bostrom, author of Sugar Birds
"A novel full of life and transformation, as charming as a New England cottage by the sea. You can't help but fall in love with spunky, hard-edged Eva Gordon and the others connected to Try Again Farm."--Christine Kindberg, author of The Means That Make Us Strangers
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2022
34 people are currently reading
3360 people want to read
About the author
Linda MacKillop
3 books66 followersAs a creative nonfiction writer and fiction writer for both adults and young people, Linda MacKillop's articles and essays have appeared in books, magazines, and literary journals such as Under the Sun and Relief Journal. The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon is her debut novel and winner of The Christy Award for First Novel. Her middle grade novel, Hotel, Oscar, Mike Echo, was a finalist for the Christianity Today Book Awards for Young Adults. She earned her M.F.A. in Creative Writing at the Rainier Writing Workshop in Tacoma, Washington. As the mother of four adult sons, she and her husband live in an empty nest outside of Chicago. Visit her website at lindamackillop.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
November 21, 2023
Failure confronts Eva Gordon. A tender story telling how an elderly woman begins to deal with loss and love. A fabulous ending.
June 19, 2022
“The only thing we can control is whether we go out singing or not.”
The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon by Linda MacKillop is one of those rare stories that immediately roped me in, held me captive with its winsomeness, and left me pondering several things in my heart.
If you’ve followed my reviews long, you know it’s unusual for a women’s fiction novel to be one of my favorite reads for the year. KissingBooks? Sure. Mysteries? Yep. Romantic Suspense? Absolutely. If you’re surprised to hear me say that The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon will without a doubt be one of my fave reads of 2022, I’m just as surprised. In fact, I was very hesitant at first to read this book because it addresses dementia/Alzheimer’s – something that usually hits too close to home for this granddaughter who watched both of her beloved grandmothers battle that long goodbye. And yet…
With a little humor and a lot of heart, MacKillop manages to make us all love a bitter old woman whose memory is progressively failing. Eva Gordon is full of regrets – even though she doesn’t always remember why – and becoming increasingly frustrated with her waning independence. But because MacKillop uniquely and with pitch perfect writing takes us inside Eva’s perspective, because we get to see the narrative through her eyes, we also find her to be a woman full of surprises. As we filter through Eva’s actual reality vs. the twisted jumbles and blank spaces of cognitive decline, the person that emerges is layered and complex. A woman with great loves, great disappointments, and great intelligence. A woman who was wounded early in life and spent the rest of her life wounding others in return. None of these descriptors completely encapsulate Eva when taken alone, but when seen as a masterpiece in progress, the full picture is breathtaking.
Bottom Line: I expected The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon to stir up grief and sad memories over watching my grandmothers walk this road, but honestly it did just the opposite. It instead brought to mind the moments of humor, the moments of joy, and the moments of clarity … the memories that make me smile fondly now and thank God for His grace. The author’s writing voice is so charming and full of warmth and wit, the characters so vividly drawn, that when you close the last page you feel as though you’ve been with friends instead of fictional people. A beautiful and heart-tugging portrait of home, yes, and certainly of aging, but also of intergenerational impact, the power of people who refuse to give up on you, and the Divine restoration of the years the metaphorical locusts have eaten. A winning debut novel in every way!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon by Linda MacKillop is one of those rare stories that immediately roped me in, held me captive with its winsomeness, and left me pondering several things in my heart.
If you’ve followed my reviews long, you know it’s unusual for a women’s fiction novel to be one of my favorite reads for the year. KissingBooks? Sure. Mysteries? Yep. Romantic Suspense? Absolutely. If you’re surprised to hear me say that The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon will without a doubt be one of my fave reads of 2022, I’m just as surprised. In fact, I was very hesitant at first to read this book because it addresses dementia/Alzheimer’s – something that usually hits too close to home for this granddaughter who watched both of her beloved grandmothers battle that long goodbye. And yet…
With a little humor and a lot of heart, MacKillop manages to make us all love a bitter old woman whose memory is progressively failing. Eva Gordon is full of regrets – even though she doesn’t always remember why – and becoming increasingly frustrated with her waning independence. But because MacKillop uniquely and with pitch perfect writing takes us inside Eva’s perspective, because we get to see the narrative through her eyes, we also find her to be a woman full of surprises. As we filter through Eva’s actual reality vs. the twisted jumbles and blank spaces of cognitive decline, the person that emerges is layered and complex. A woman with great loves, great disappointments, and great intelligence. A woman who was wounded early in life and spent the rest of her life wounding others in return. None of these descriptors completely encapsulate Eva when taken alone, but when seen as a masterpiece in progress, the full picture is breathtaking.
Bottom Line: I expected The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon to stir up grief and sad memories over watching my grandmothers walk this road, but honestly it did just the opposite. It instead brought to mind the moments of humor, the moments of joy, and the moments of clarity … the memories that make me smile fondly now and thank God for His grace. The author’s writing voice is so charming and full of warmth and wit, the characters so vividly drawn, that when you close the last page you feel as though you’ve been with friends instead of fictional people. A beautiful and heart-tugging portrait of home, yes, and certainly of aging, but also of intergenerational impact, the power of people who refuse to give up on you, and the Divine restoration of the years the metaphorical locusts have eaten. A winning debut novel in every way!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
March 10, 2022
Remember Elizabeth Strout’s Pulitzer Prize winner Olive Kitteridge? Well, Eva Gordon brought Olive to mind within twenty pages. MacKillop's new book is that well-crafted—and more: where Olive gives pause, Eva captures. She and the rest of MacKillop’s characters landed in my bones, guts, heart—and took up residence. It's a memorable, utterly beautiful story about perspective, loss, and hope.
(I had the privilege of reading an ARC, and here offer my independent review.)
(I had the privilege of reading an ARC, and here offer my independent review.)
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September 30, 2022I loved this book because, honestly, it gave me a lot to think about. What kind of memories do I want to have when I'm older? And even more importantly, how do I want to be remembered? This isn't a fast-paced or exciting book, but it's meaningful and endearing. For fans of thought-provoking women's fiction.
May 4, 2022
There are so many ways to approach aging and illness. As both are hard facts of living, we can't escape either and rarely do we take the uplifting point-of-view as we do. It's easy to fall into remembering what we have lost and who we used to be.
While Eva does feel the changes in her life keenly, she does want to hold onto her independence, despite the help that her family offers. But her choices to proceed as well as her family's present us with a model of how we can approach how we live as we get to the end of life.
A wonderful read, full of deeply felt characters and a positive, uplifting message about how we can keep growing even as life slips away from us.
While Eva does feel the changes in her life keenly, she does want to hold onto her independence, despite the help that her family offers. But her choices to proceed as well as her family's present us with a model of how we can approach how we live as we get to the end of life.
A wonderful read, full of deeply felt characters and a positive, uplifting message about how we can keep growing even as life slips away from us.
July 22, 2022
2.5 stars. I found this book difficult to finish. Eva generated no sympathy from me. She was a miserable old woman and I did not like her one bit. I felt like quitting a few times. That’s how little I cared about Eva Gordon. I am very surprised by the high rating this novel has generated on Goodreads. I know it’s being compared to Olive Kitteridge, but I totally disagree. Aging is not easy, but if you are miserable when you are young, you are probably going to be miserable when you are old. There were positive characters in the book, but Eva Gordon was not one of them.
December 17, 2023
This was such a poignant look into growing older. It brought me to tears many times. Eva Gordon definitely made mistakes in her relationships and then had to confront her memories.
May 5, 2022
I picked up "The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon" and could not put it down. MacKillop's weaving of such a rich story about an unlikely protagonist, was heart wrenching and heart warming. I loved it. Main character, Eva Gordan surprises the reader from the beginning, and it's clear the other characters are often surprised by her, as well. This story give beautiful insight into all the ways a person's past informs his/her future, even when that future is not always clearly within his/her control.
February 22, 2024
I loved the Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs Kip, and was looking forward to this book. If it wasn’t for this being a bookclub book, I might have abandoned it to the DNF shelf.
Initially, from the description of the main character, I thought she must have been in her mid to late 80’s. Lines like “old people shouldn’t be traipsing around on long journeys”, words like “aged” used often, along with descriptions of her “liver spotted hands” and “she hadn’t had a driver’s license in years” led me to that conclusion. Imagine my shock when her age was given as 75. (Only 4 years older than me and 2 years older than my husband.) I had to look up the author to see if she was in her 20’s ir 30’s but she isn’t. I found the book a bit redundant and depressing. I’m not sure what the point was—yes, some have early onset dementia but the author wrote Eva and her friends too frail and helpless. If she had been in her 80s or 90s , I would have responded differently. As it was it felt a bit offensive to those of us who are aging but still active, intelligent and involved. I don’t like it when people patronize or are condescending to those of us in our 70s who are still (literally) traipsing around the world, serving others, and retired but not ready for a nursing home. Books like this may encourage people younger than us to view us in the way the author wrote Eva Gordon and her friends.
Initially, from the description of the main character, I thought she must have been in her mid to late 80’s. Lines like “old people shouldn’t be traipsing around on long journeys”, words like “aged” used often, along with descriptions of her “liver spotted hands” and “she hadn’t had a driver’s license in years” led me to that conclusion. Imagine my shock when her age was given as 75. (Only 4 years older than me and 2 years older than my husband.) I had to look up the author to see if she was in her 20’s ir 30’s but she isn’t. I found the book a bit redundant and depressing. I’m not sure what the point was—yes, some have early onset dementia but the author wrote Eva and her friends too frail and helpless. If she had been in her 80s or 90s , I would have responded differently. As it was it felt a bit offensive to those of us who are aging but still active, intelligent and involved. I don’t like it when people patronize or are condescending to those of us in our 70s who are still (literally) traipsing around the world, serving others, and retired but not ready for a nursing home. Books like this may encourage people younger than us to view us in the way the author wrote Eva Gordon and her friends.
May 19, 2022
Written from Eva Gordon's perspective, The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon does a wonderful job of setting place and characters. I'm going to be honest here: Eva Gordon is not a likeable character. At least not at first. If I met her in real life, I'd have a hard time being around her for long. So the fact that author Linda MacKillop could write Eva so empathetically, while also maintaining a believable and compelling plot, is quite a literary marvel. The novel gets inside of Eva's head, dementia and all, in a way that helps me as a reader feel more compassion for those struggling with dementia and past regrets.
The book explores real loss--there aren't any cheap deux ex machina tactics here. And yet it's a warm, heartfelt read that draws me into its New England settings.
The book explores real loss--there aren't any cheap deux ex machina tactics here. And yet it's a warm, heartfelt read that draws me into its New England settings.
June 1, 2022
Though this is a quick read, MacKillop's well-developed characters and compelling narrative will pull readers in. Be prepared to cry, esp. if you are in the last chapter of your life or if you are caring for family members in that space. Ultimately, it's a story of redemption and the possibility of change, even at the end of our lives. Highly recommend.
May 4, 2022
The story of Eva Gordon starts out with a stubborn, cantankerous woman who tries to run back to her old life. But the gentle persistence of an unlikely assortment of characters begins to thaw her difficult-to-love exterior. I loved this tale of old age and intergenerational friendship. And the themes of community, forgiveness, and reconciliation will make the characters live on in my mind.
January 21, 2024
3 stars.
Eva Gordon has dementia and this story is told from her perspective.
"I've been feeling myself slip away for years, as though I'm a stranger to myself. I live in a world set up like on large safety mechanism-reminder notes hanging from every wall, no mobility, and frustrating, elderly sitting arrangements with strangers. You can't experience all those things without knowing something is changing permanently. It's not normal to walk uninvited into a stranger's house. Or go to a doctor's appointment and make a fool of yourself. I'm moving further and further down a strange road, away from any normal, everyday existence." Page 224.
Eva Gordon is an old woman with a lifetime of regrets. Eva Gordon is not a likable person (at least not at first) but we will see why and we will grow to love her. This story is full of heartbreak, loss, family, friendship, love and forgiveness. Eva weaves the hardships of her past into the everyday events of her life, often with parallel conversations in her head. The author combines the realities of death and the joys of life, offering Eva a chance to make right with those who she has wronged.
Eva Gordon is literally trying to run away. She always has her suitcase packed and is ready to escape. She wants to go back to her own cottage on Cape Cod and schemes to get there while her caregiver granddaughter Breezy is at work. We then meet pesky neighbor Mabel who keeps an eye on Eva and a few other "unlikely" characters: fiance Ian, Uncle George and one of Breezy's strays, Isabella. Eva just wants to be alone and doesn't understand why these people won't stay away. As the story unfolds, Eva begins to be changed by these inconvenient people and grows into the person that she would like to not forget.
Eva Gordon deserves more than a 3 star review but like her, this book has some flaws. I put it down 3 times and really only came back to it because a friend gave it a 5 star review. The first 100 pages had so many descriptive words that it distracted me from being interested in the book. It is not a fast paced read or an exciting read but hang in there as you won't regret meeting Eva Gordon.
I expected The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon to stir up grief and sad memories over watching my father pass away from dementia, but honestly it did just the opposite. It instead brought me moments of humor, joy, and understanding.
Eva Gordon has dementia and this story is told from her perspective.
"I've been feeling myself slip away for years, as though I'm a stranger to myself. I live in a world set up like on large safety mechanism-reminder notes hanging from every wall, no mobility, and frustrating, elderly sitting arrangements with strangers. You can't experience all those things without knowing something is changing permanently. It's not normal to walk uninvited into a stranger's house. Or go to a doctor's appointment and make a fool of yourself. I'm moving further and further down a strange road, away from any normal, everyday existence." Page 224.
Eva Gordon is an old woman with a lifetime of regrets. Eva Gordon is not a likable person (at least not at first) but we will see why and we will grow to love her. This story is full of heartbreak, loss, family, friendship, love and forgiveness. Eva weaves the hardships of her past into the everyday events of her life, often with parallel conversations in her head. The author combines the realities of death and the joys of life, offering Eva a chance to make right with those who she has wronged.
Eva Gordon is literally trying to run away. She always has her suitcase packed and is ready to escape. She wants to go back to her own cottage on Cape Cod and schemes to get there while her caregiver granddaughter Breezy is at work. We then meet pesky neighbor Mabel who keeps an eye on Eva and a few other "unlikely" characters: fiance Ian, Uncle George and one of Breezy's strays, Isabella. Eva just wants to be alone and doesn't understand why these people won't stay away. As the story unfolds, Eva begins to be changed by these inconvenient people and grows into the person that she would like to not forget.
Eva Gordon deserves more than a 3 star review but like her, this book has some flaws. I put it down 3 times and really only came back to it because a friend gave it a 5 star review. The first 100 pages had so many descriptive words that it distracted me from being interested in the book. It is not a fast paced read or an exciting read but hang in there as you won't regret meeting Eva Gordon.
I expected The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon to stir up grief and sad memories over watching my father pass away from dementia, but honestly it did just the opposite. It instead brought me moments of humor, joy, and understanding.
May 31, 2022
As a little white-haired lady heading into my eighth decade of living and fifth decade of writing, I was taken by the lovely portrayal of the aging process in Linda MacKillop’s novel "The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon."
That very aging process of Eva, and the decisions this transit forces on all who face it, are gently and kindly portrayed by author Linda MacKillop. Eva, simply, is facing the personal emotional and psychological displacement all aging folk must face—as well as a longing to regain her own lost world. In addition, her memory is becoming a little iffy. The youth and vitality of her dutiful granddaughter, Breezy, as well as the world she is creating for her mother, is simply a bit much for a woman of a certain age (an elderly age).
Breezy is a kind offspring who loves her grandmother, but Breezy’s world is more complicated than the one Eva imagines for herself. Breezy is getting married, moving to her husband’s neglected family farm, which also involves an aging uncle. And she is enthusiastically including Grandma in her own plan. She is concerned for her grandmother and wants her to be happy and cared for. Yet … yet, Eva longs for the solitude of her Cape Cod home and the privacy of living alone.
What is lovely about "The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon" is that this main character eventually makes a plan that is different than any of the choices mentioned above. She reconciles herself to her aging needs, to her softening memory system and chooses a life for the days ahead that is reasonable, wise and helpful for all involved—parent and loving offspring.
The fact that the reader is party to Eva’s process, and for those who are needing to reach similar wise solutions, this book helps us say to ourselves, “Well, what is it that I should really be planning and doing?”
"The Forgotten Life of Evan Gordon" has the potential to stimulate discussion in reading circles or among that group of friends who are all making a similar journey into the territory where they have never before lived—the terrain of the aged and the aging.
That very aging process of Eva, and the decisions this transit forces on all who face it, are gently and kindly portrayed by author Linda MacKillop. Eva, simply, is facing the personal emotional and psychological displacement all aging folk must face—as well as a longing to regain her own lost world. In addition, her memory is becoming a little iffy. The youth and vitality of her dutiful granddaughter, Breezy, as well as the world she is creating for her mother, is simply a bit much for a woman of a certain age (an elderly age).
Breezy is a kind offspring who loves her grandmother, but Breezy’s world is more complicated than the one Eva imagines for herself. Breezy is getting married, moving to her husband’s neglected family farm, which also involves an aging uncle. And she is enthusiastically including Grandma in her own plan. She is concerned for her grandmother and wants her to be happy and cared for. Yet … yet, Eva longs for the solitude of her Cape Cod home and the privacy of living alone.
What is lovely about "The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon" is that this main character eventually makes a plan that is different than any of the choices mentioned above. She reconciles herself to her aging needs, to her softening memory system and chooses a life for the days ahead that is reasonable, wise and helpful for all involved—parent and loving offspring.
The fact that the reader is party to Eva’s process, and for those who are needing to reach similar wise solutions, this book helps us say to ourselves, “Well, what is it that I should really be planning and doing?”
"The Forgotten Life of Evan Gordon" has the potential to stimulate discussion in reading circles or among that group of friends who are all making a similar journey into the territory where they have never before lived—the terrain of the aged and the aging.
May 17, 2022
Eva Gordon is a woman who is not happy living with her delightful granddaughter, Breezy, and wanted to go back to her former life in Cape Cod. She kept a bag packed and took opportunities to escape but was always found out. Her memory isn't what it used to be. When she learns that Breezy is getting married to Ian and they will both be moving to Ian’s family farm, Try Again Farm, Eva privately resists. But she finds herself at the Try Again Farm where she begins to confront her regrets. Breezy had a portion of the barn set up for Eva to continue to restore furniture, complete with post-it-notes reminding her of the steps. Eva didn't realize that she herself was being restored.
At one point, a woman tells Eva that she has fantasies of taking a junky piece of furniture set out for the garbage, fixing it up, adding a new feature or two, and putting it back.
Eva thought, “Those people would be so shocked when they found their throwaway junk all fixed up and worth some money. Maybe they would wonder why they failed to see potential in the piece. Or maybe some people would still hate the piece, thinking its flaw existed in the core of its being. It was just a pine dresser after all. But the idea appealed to Eva in all its weirdness."
Breezy never failed to see potential in Eva and the book encourages us to see beyond the flaws of difficult people.
At one point, a woman tells Eva that she has fantasies of taking a junky piece of furniture set out for the garbage, fixing it up, adding a new feature or two, and putting it back.
Eva thought, “Those people would be so shocked when they found their throwaway junk all fixed up and worth some money. Maybe they would wonder why they failed to see potential in the piece. Or maybe some people would still hate the piece, thinking its flaw existed in the core of its being. It was just a pine dresser after all. But the idea appealed to Eva in all its weirdness."
Breezy never failed to see potential in Eva and the book encourages us to see beyond the flaws of difficult people.
June 19, 2022
The aging process can be brutal, even under the best of circumstances. However, I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for those who have spent their long lives burning bridges.
Set in beautiful New England, The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon opens with one of Eva’s multiple attempts to run away from her life. At age 75, the loss of independence that has come with her failing memory has in no way diminished her fierce desire for independence.
Eva longs for a return to her quiet life on the Cape, but her granddaughter’s gregarious lifestyle, her upcoming marriage, and the move to her husband’s family farm all promise to ramp up the level of unwanted chaos.
I was drawn to Eva’s crusty demeanor and to the multigenerational community of grace author Linda MacKillop has crafted to alternately bless and infuriate Eva. Her story is a cautionary tale for parents, for introverts, and especially for anyone careening beyond middle age and wanting to finish her journey with grace.
Like Eva, we cannot rewrite our past, but the blank pages of the future are full of hope. I’m grateful that God promises to hold my hand as we compose my story going forward.
Many thanks to Kregel Publications for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
Set in beautiful New England, The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon opens with one of Eva’s multiple attempts to run away from her life. At age 75, the loss of independence that has come with her failing memory has in no way diminished her fierce desire for independence.
Eva longs for a return to her quiet life on the Cape, but her granddaughter’s gregarious lifestyle, her upcoming marriage, and the move to her husband’s family farm all promise to ramp up the level of unwanted chaos.
I was drawn to Eva’s crusty demeanor and to the multigenerational community of grace author Linda MacKillop has crafted to alternately bless and infuriate Eva. Her story is a cautionary tale for parents, for introverts, and especially for anyone careening beyond middle age and wanting to finish her journey with grace.
Like Eva, we cannot rewrite our past, but the blank pages of the future are full of hope. I’m grateful that God promises to hold my hand as we compose my story going forward.
Many thanks to Kregel Publications for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
June 13, 2022
What a charming, heartwarming story. The multigenerational characters are realistic and relatable. I particularly enjoyed Eva. It's a story of loss, family, friendship, and forgiveness. There were some humorous moments, though some details of Eva's life are heartbreaking. The author paints a vivid story, making it easy to visualize. At the core, this is a tale of hope. A wonderful debut!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
June 25, 2022
When I look forward to a few minutes to read - you know it's a good book! Linda MacKillop did a wonderful job of writing a story that pulled me in and kept me there. How can a book about an elderly lady and her friend who attend funerals of people they don't know be so inviting? This book is not overly descriptive (pet peeve of mine) nor was it hard to get to know the main character. No murder, affairs, bad language, or suspense but enough to keep me reading till the wee hours several times. Congrats Linda on a wonderful book. I know it will go far. Thanks for writing and I hope you will write more!!!
February 19, 2025
Eva Gordon wants to return to her home in Cape Cod but her memories are fading and her granddaughter, whom she lives with, would not approve. Breezy, her granddaughter, and their elderly neighbor, Mabel, provide her home, protection, and company in Boston. One day Breezy and her boyfriend, Ian, announce their engagement and plans to live on a farm along with Ian's great-uncle. As warm and loving as this arrangement seems to be, Eva just wants to go back in time to her own home.
Sometimes I laughed out loud and there were also tears in reading this novel. The characters were so whimsical, charming, outspoken, frustrating, and wonderful to meet. You will attend many funerals, a lovely farm wedding, a clandestine bus trip, and a family member reunion. Loved this book. Can't believe it is her debut novel. It was a Christy Award-winning novel.
Sometimes I laughed out loud and there were also tears in reading this novel. The characters were so whimsical, charming, outspoken, frustrating, and wonderful to meet. You will attend many funerals, a lovely farm wedding, a clandestine bus trip, and a family member reunion. Loved this book. Can't believe it is her debut novel. It was a Christy Award-winning novel.
September 2, 2025
I was drawn to this book because my mom, who has dementia, lives with me. I found the descriptions of Eva’s behavior very accurate, even down to the part when she admits, ‘I don’t trust myself anymore.”— something my mom said to me this morning.
A lot of reviews said the book caused them to consider how they want to age and the memories they want to leave. But
I found myself wanting to be like Breezy: wholeheartedly loving, truthful, and caring. She exemplifies a wonderful caregiver.
I appreciate that this book had strong themes of faith without being preachy or heavy-handed…in a gentle way, it drew the reader’s focus to God’s presence and purposes.
A lot of reviews said the book caused them to consider how they want to age and the memories they want to leave. But
I found myself wanting to be like Breezy: wholeheartedly loving, truthful, and caring. She exemplifies a wonderful caregiver.
I appreciate that this book had strong themes of faith without being preachy or heavy-handed…in a gentle way, it drew the reader’s focus to God’s presence and purposes.
June 27, 2022
Eva's story is full of heartbreak, hope, love, and will keep you on your toes. Such a wonderfully written book that I'm sure a lot of people can relate to when it comes to aging family members and dementia. Loved following along on Eva's journey through all the ups and downs. I look forward to Linda's next book!
*I did receive a free copy for my review. All opinions are my own.
*I did receive a free copy for my review. All opinions are my own.
February 5, 2023
I really liked this story name because it dealt with the subject of aging and family issues with a depth and realism not normally found in fiction books. I liked all the characters and especially Eva because though I was frustrated with how she dealt with her family I understood how she might have gotten that way.
June 4, 2023
This beautiful book really touched my heart and it gave me a lot to think about. I loved Eva even though she could be cantankerous. But who wouldn’t be cranky sometimes while dealing with memory issues and the loss of some of her independence. She had a lot of regrets later in life as many of us probably do. I really enjoyed all the other unique characters as well as the Try Again Farm setting. Please add this book to your TBR. You’ll be so glad you did!
May 30, 2022
Eva Gordon is an old woman—with a lifetime of regrets. Dealing with advancing signs of dementia, Eva is caught between hard memories of her past life and the sweet present of her granddaughter’s love and care. I ended this book with tears, getting an amazing glimpse into the mind of someone experiencing the pain of a mind that no longer works they way she wants it to. Linda MacKillop has written a beautiful story that is both sad and hopeful, regretful and redemptive. Eva Gordon is a complicated character built with compassion who worms her way into your heart even while you’re wondering why anyone would even like her, let alone love her. With sweet secondary characters that actually have starring roles, The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon will cause you to see aging a little differently than you ever have before.
May 3, 2022
A delight from start to finish. I was chuckling along with spunky Eva’s escapades, cheering for the kindness of her loved ones, and moved to tears by the gentle examination of a life full of regret. It left me feeling full of gratitude for second chances.
It was a privilege to get to read an advance copy and write an endorsement!
It was a privilege to get to read an advance copy and write an endorsement!
June 23, 2022
I marvel at MacKillop’s ability to get inside the head of an older woman suffering memory loss. She creates a believable, conflicted character who wrestles with herself, her past, and even her youthful, well-intentioned caregivers. I found myself reading this book slowly in order to catch the nuances of dialogue (often internal) or descriptions of landscapes (also often internal). Several weeks after I read this book, I still think about it.
May 21, 2023
I just loved everything about this novel. As I read it, I wanted to talk to people about it and discuss it, and I just couldn't get enough of Eva. This book was sad but heartwarming and as honest as they come. Eva Gordan is an extremely flawed and real character. She's made mistakes. She's brutally blatant and honest. And she's only partially aware that her memory is going.
Eva is aging and suffering dementia. She can no longer live on her own and now resides with her granddaughter Breezy. She feels kidnapped and just wants to return to her old life where she felt normal and at home.
Through a series of runaway attempts and Breezys pending wedding, Eva's story of life, her feelings and her desire to come to terms and ultimately ask for forgiveness and forgive herself come to light. I think everyone will see a little of themselves in Eva and will remind us all that life is short.
Eva is aging and suffering dementia. She can no longer live on her own and now resides with her granddaughter Breezy. She feels kidnapped and just wants to return to her old life where she felt normal and at home.
Through a series of runaway attempts and Breezys pending wedding, Eva's story of life, her feelings and her desire to come to terms and ultimately ask for forgiveness and forgive herself come to light. I think everyone will see a little of themselves in Eva and will remind us all that life is short.
February 6, 2024
Wonderful book!
September 1, 2022
Very uplifting story.
April 28, 2022
I absolutely loved Eva Gordon. I found her more sympathetic than Olive Kitteridge. Her story is heartwarming and hopeful, despite making me cry. If you have someone with dementia in your life, you really need to read The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon!
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