Host: Pam T.
In attendance: Lori, Debra, Julie, Susan, Michelle, Pam M.
A quick review from Leisure Commando.com:
A detailed, sorrowful account of the author’s untimely death from colon cancer at the age of 41. Yip-Williams was born with severe vision problems, and her grandmother insisted that her mother and father have the girl euthanized (there’s no other way to say it) by an herbalist. The herbalist refused, and the author overcame her handicaps to graduate college, marry, and have a family, only to acquire and die from colon cancer. The book addresses nearly every practical and emotional issue that a cancer patient might have to deal with, with only occasional forays into sentimentality. The author holds nothing back, and is brutally honest about everything. If anything, it reinforces the notion that you need to live each moment as if it’s your last and cherish the people and things that are important to you while you can.
A cozy, rainy night with seven us (color coordinated, even!) discussing this book and noshing on some delicious tidbits from new recipes thanks to Pam's coworkers. The Unwinding of the Miracle actually began as the author's blog and included letters to her children. It truly is a story that started with a miracle during infancy and then unravelled and ended far too soon. Very difficult and tragic subject matter but the author was able to express hopes and joys which came through during some of her darkest moments. The Unwinding of the Miracle was every bit about living as it was a memoir about dying. We rated it a 3.5 to maybe 3.75. It did not receive a "would recommend it to a friend" rating, except maybe with qualifiers. Although we had various mixed reviews for this book, we unanimously agreed we were not sorry we read it.
Next month's selection is Ask Again, Yes. by Mary Beth Keane. (Host: Michelle)
