4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful story, October 23, 2008
This review is from: Penelope Ayers: A Memoir (Paperback)
First, so there is more information available about this wonderful book, this is from the back cover:
"Penelope Ayers is a memoir about a beautiful, gracious, lonely New Orleanian who discovers one February morning that she is facing a medical crisis. When she reaches out for help, three generations of her fractured, colorful family respond, and in so doing, they all experience grace and healing.
Set in pre-Katrina New Orleans, Penelope Ayers unfolds against the backdrop of one of the world's most vibrant cities. This story offers comfort and inspiration to anyone facing a life-threatening illness, and it will also appeal to individuals wrestling with questions for God, and about God, in the midst of difficult situations. Ultimately, it is a family story about the strong and tenuous nature of hope."
The excerpt above captures it well. So does this: "I laughed. I cried." It's real, probing, and thought provoking. Whether you've walked through an illness with a friend or loved one or you're just a Baby Boomer preparing for the next phase of life, this book deals with the issues that every family faces at some point or another. It does so elegantly but is also helpful in the process. There are principles in it, though not in a preachy way, that are pertinent to navigating typical family dynamics and that everyone can use (I've already given copies to friends dealing with different family challenges). But the whole thing is presented with such care for the written word that it carries you along as you get to know the main characters. It is, ultimately, a beautiful story, beautifully written.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEST book I've read in a LONG TIME, November 21, 2008
This review is from: Penelope Ayers: A Memoir (Paperback)
Penelope Ayers is a wonderfully written tale of the coming of age of a family as they battle cancer. Amy Julia makes you feel as if you are in pre-Katrina New Orleans with her and by her side as she helps Penelope battle a horrible disease. I finished the book the weekend before a huge presentation at work and I found it gave me a sense of strength as I thought about Penelope and her fearlessness just before I addressed the group. I could not put it down towards the end (my ten month old ended up with diaper rash I was so distracted by it). This book gives you perspective on what really matters in life and helps you appreciate all of your family's idiosyncrocies. This is a MUST READ!!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hopeful and Honest, September 3, 2009
This review is from: Penelope Ayers: A Memoir (Paperback)
I thought it might be a drag and a downer to read a story about someone dying, but nothing could be farther from the truth. First of all, I found myself looking forward to times when I could read it because Penny's story gave me a certain lift or sense of general hopefulness that I can't quite explain. The word that best sums it up is beauty... I felt like I was reading about something truly beautiful.
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