Family Meals: Coming Together to Care for an Aging Parent [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Michael Tucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2009

Michael Tucker and his wife, Jill Eikenberry, are enjoying the early years of retirement in their dream house, a beautiful 350-year-old stone farmhouse in the central Italian province of Umbria, when life rears its ugly head on their summer plans. Jill’s mother’s second husband, Ralph, has passed away, and Michael and Jill must leave the respite of the Italian countryside and travel westward to console Lora, Jill’s mother, and help her plan her future. Thus begins Family Meals, a beautifully told memoir that explores the meaning of family and examines the sacrifices we make for those we love. After Ralph’s death, Lora begins a rapid decline into dementia, and Jill wrestles with the decision to move her from Santa Barbara to New York City. The Tuckers initially attempt to place Lora in a senior residence in New York, but when an apartment becomes vacant right across the hall from them, they grab it for Lora. Michael and Jill’s children, Alison and Max—much to their parents’ happiness—decide not only to relocate to Manhattan but also move in together. Their family, which had been a loose network of individual strands, has become, remarkably, a unit. It’s all very Italian.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802119212
• ASIN: B003D7JTIQ
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,199,866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tucker is Yummy, December 10, 2009

By 

Robyn Goodman (New York, NY, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Family Meals: Coming Together to Care for an Aging Parent (Hardcover)

Michael Tucker writes with wit, empathy and a dash of the devil. His book is moving and delicious.

Buy it.

Robyn Goodman

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another tour de force from Michael Tucker!, December 1, 2009

By 

Chaucer Lee (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Family Meals: Coming Together to Care for an Aging Parent (Hardcover)

Mr. Tucker's books are gem! They are funny, witty and charming all rolled up into one! This is the third book of his I've read and every time, he never fails in his brilliant writing style.

Family Meals is a book you must run out and buy, it's not only about family but about life---and it's hilarious to boot! Grazie, Mr. Tucker!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Meals: Coming Together to Care for an Aging Parent, November 19, 2009

By 

David Jones "Tuscan Dreams" (Northwest USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Family Meals: Coming Together to Care for an Aging Parent (Hardcover)

Mr. Tucker, Mr. Tucker! Thank you. "Family Meals" is a feast.

Sharing ones personal life can be tough, but Tucker handles it with such wit, wisdom, and passion. This book is for anyone who is in the midst of dealing with an aging parent and trying to have your own life at the same time. By far his best book, yet. Tucker's writing has reached another level. I must admit that all I wanted was more tastes and smells of Italy, but Tucker gives us real life. Grazie.