tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post8369414764743526137..comments2024-03-28T05:11:15.109-04:00Comments on Avid Reader's Musings: The Long GoodbyeMelissa (Avid Reader)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-44386138908722919482011-05-12T13:15:18.434-04:002011-05-12T13:15:18.434-04:00Thanks Jillian. I hope you get a chance to read it...Thanks Jillian. I hope you get a chance to read it!Melissa (Avid Reader)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-18182813731524177632011-05-11T05:30:57.533-04:002011-05-11T05:30:57.533-04:00I want to read this based off your review and I ha...I want to read this based off your review and I have never heard of this one before.I'm sorry about your mother, and I admire your honesty and willingness to share this!Jillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07629286727932554109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-7236627481136568292011-05-09T10:38:42.076-04:002011-05-09T10:38:42.076-04:00Unruly - Thank you so much for your kind words. Mo...Unruly - Thank you so much for your kind words. Mother's Day is hard, but I'm grateful for the time I had with her.Melissa (Avid Reader)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-19522944082371236052011-05-08T09:51:25.397-04:002011-05-08T09:51:25.397-04:00Avid -- What you (and Ms. Murdoch) have written is...Avid -- What you (and Ms. Murdoch) have written is true: "The bereaved cannot communicate with the unbereaved." I am one of the former, and I'm sorry that you've also had the terrible experience of losing your mother to cancer. On this Mother's Day, I hope the good memories help you through...Unruly Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06269889689990923227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-42872587050251849822011-04-29T09:33:18.027-04:002011-04-29T09:33:18.027-04:00Jenners - It was cathartic in some ways, as was re...Jenners - It was cathartic in some ways, as was reading the book. I love your point about loss being messy, she showed that wonderfully. It's not this easy thing, you still have to go to work and try to maintain your relationships with your spouse or friends, it's complicated. She didn't shy away from those things.Melissa (Avid Reader)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-27559956613903969932011-04-28T20:07:45.393-04:002011-04-28T20:07:45.393-04:00Like you, I felt this book was beautifully written...Like you, I felt this book was beautifully written and hit very close to home. It does bring up a lot of emotions...and I think she reflects so much of the difficulties of losing someone and having it be so messy and complicated and imperfect. You did an amazing job in your review...and I'm sure it was difficult to write but hopefully cathartic. Hugs to you.Jennershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08044537551139633301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-24120389561005870572011-04-28T19:38:22.201-04:002011-04-28T19:38:22.201-04:00Thanks for sharing such personal feelings.
You cit...Thanks for sharing such personal feelings.<br />You cited such a thoughtful quote.BookQuoterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13033467542826463255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-49454451124408966322011-04-28T13:35:11.907-04:002011-04-28T13:35:11.907-04:00She - I definitely agree. It's really hard for...She - I definitely agree. It's really hard for me to talk about it with someone who has never experienced a loss of that kind. Sometimes I sturggled with that in high school, because at that age so few people have had to deal with death. <br /><br />Care - Love you.Melissa (Avid Reader)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-50351195746746900822011-04-28T10:08:01.968-04:002011-04-28T10:08:01.968-04:00I love you Lissa! What a courageous review you'...I love you Lissa! What a courageous review you've shared with us. (lots of hugs)<br />-CareAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-59634998079840228052011-04-27T19:51:54.950-04:002011-04-27T19:51:54.950-04:00Fantastic review!
I just don't think I'd ...Fantastic review!<br /><br />I just don't think I'd be able to read this book. Having been through a similar situation as you both, I found myself nodding at many of the things you were saying. The lack of American grieving traditions and no one wanting to hear about it -- amen! Having a parent die, especially at such a young age, is rather unique I've found. Having friends who've never truly gone through such a grieving process, it just doesn't feel right to cry on their shoulders, if you will, as the sympathy/empathy just isn't right. Or at least that's been my experience.Shehttp://www.historyofshe.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-54697343784885440662011-04-27T17:11:54.270-04:002011-04-27T17:11:54.270-04:00Sandy - I did read Jenner's review. As I was r...Sandy - I did read Jenner's review. As I was reading the book I actually thought about her because I knew what she had just gone through with her mom and dad. I honestly don't think I could have read it that soon after my mom's death. I love her idea for a shirt. You do feel like people should somehow know and treat you with care. <br /><br />Diane - Very worth reading. <br /><br />Mumsy - I never even thought of it from the mom's point of view, that adds a whole different layer. I completely agree about the writing. O'Rourke's honesty was so powerful and relatable. About the LT reviews, how awful. I am a Christian and there wasn't a single moment while reading that I thought that at all! Why would it make you hate the book if someone doesn't share your beliefs. People are ridiculous. <br /><br />Brenna - I'm so sorry for your loss. The dreams have definitely become less frequent, but I think that makes them all the more disturbing when I have them.Melissa (Avid Reader)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-23420431131094206142011-04-27T11:40:05.619-04:002011-04-27T11:40:05.619-04:00Wow this sounds like a truly touching book. Sorry ...Wow this sounds like a truly touching book. Sorry to hear about your mother. I lost my father 6 years ago and you're right - the dreams don't stop. Although for me they have become less frequent. <br /><br />You gave fantastic review. Thanks for sharing something so personal.Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10780185535345559390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-52001596089780017612011-04-27T09:21:50.441-04:002011-04-27T09:21:50.441-04:00I have not lost my mother, but when I read this me...I have not lost my mother, but when I read this memoir, I cried for all the daughters who have suffered this enormous loss. You're not a mother yet, but I promise you, the hardest thing about being a mother is the feeling that, NO MATTER WHAT, you are not allowed to die, because those children need you. It's a terrible thought, because, of course, you don't control whether you live or die. I saw my own daughters in Meghan O'Rourke.<br /><br />On a less emotional note: what a wonderful writer she is. I was mesmerized by her beautiful prose, as well as her stark honesty.<br /><br />(Also? I reviewed this on LibraryThing and checked out the other reviews. You wouldn't BELIEVE how many people were all, "I hated this book because Meghan O'Rourke does not know the Lord Jesus.")Mumsynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-69418426878520078732011-04-27T07:02:55.181-04:002011-04-27T07:02:55.181-04:00This sounds like a tough one, but yet a worthy rea...This sounds like a tough one, but yet a worthy read. Thanks for sharing with us.(Diane) Bibliophile By the Seahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519875632878992728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-70122761864509256802011-04-27T06:59:41.095-04:002011-04-27T06:59:41.095-04:00Beautiful review. I remember thinking when readin...Beautiful review. I remember thinking when reading Jenners' review of this book that it would mean the most to those who have been through this. Did you read her review? She lost both of her parents tragically a short time apart, so she was lost in this read too. She mentioned that she wished she could put a sign on her shirt that said "Beware, grieving person. Treat with care." Because nobody know and they just go about their lives like nothing is wrong. I appreciate your honesty. It must have been hard.Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.com