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This book is many things. It’s a love story, it’s the story of Kelly Corrigan’s fight with cancer, it’s the story of her father’s fight with cancer, and it’s the story of being stuck in that place between childhood and true independence from your parents…the middle place.
Kelly’s father, George Corrigan, is by all accounts an incredible man. Charismatic and jovial, he makes people feel special. Kelly grew up the apple of her father’s eye. When Kelly is diagnosed with cancer, she regresses and again craves the attention of her father. When George is also diagnosed, Kelly is torn between the need to care for herself and her parents…and also, the need to be the cossetted child.
I struggled with this book. For the first part, I found it to be an homage to the character of George Corrigan. And I thought Kelly was handling her cancer with strength and a fighting spirit. Yet, by the end, I found her to be a whiny, needy child. She was rude and inconsiderate of her mother, she seemed to want without considering the needs of others. And yes, she was on a regimen of doctors and chemo and radiation and drugs…but so was her father.
I know part of the reason why I struggled with this book was because of my own father. He died of cancer 14 years ago, at the age of 53. However, unlike George and Kelly, my father and I did not have a particularly close relationship. We didn’t have a bad relationship, it’s just that my dad didn’t really inspire warm fuzzies. More like sarcasm and smart-ass remarks. And while cancer is never deserved, my dad’s cancer was a result of his over-indulgence in cigarettes and alcohol. So at times it was hard to listen to stories of a seemingly perfect father. Also, I’m much closer to my mother, compared to Kelly, who I found to be a total brat when it came to dealing with her mother. There were times when I wanted to kick her in the ass.
Also, I didn’t find the writing to be be terribly sophisticated or polished. I think it’s because I listened to the book that I began to tire of Kelly’s “voice.” And I’m not talking about her real voice, as she wasn’t the narrator, but rather the casual style of the book.
I feel like I’m being overly harsh, but I think that’s because I had heard so many good things about this book that it ended up being a bit of a disappointment. I do think it took a lot of guts for the author to write so honestly about her relationship with both her mother and her father, as well as her cancer. I certainly don’t regret reading listening to this one, but I’m also not going to be doing back-flips over it.
I enjoyed this one, but I didn’t listen to it. I read it and I think had I listened to it, I probably would have heard some of what you mentioned. It’s really interesting how an audio book interpretation can differ from a reading experience.
Right now I am ‘reading’ A Mercy by Toni Morrison. I don’t get Morrison when I read her on paper so I ordered the audio book and it’s read by Morrison. It’s heart-stoppingly beautiful. But on paper? It just didn’t jive with me.
I really liked this book, but I totally understand about the whininess. I suppose it just didn’t bother me as much as it did you, plus you have the personal experience that affected your feelings too. I hate when a book disappoints, don’t you?
.-= Heather´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon =-.
I, too, really liked this book. However, I agree with your thoughts about the author’s sometimes bratty attitude toward her mom. It’s as if she had never left adolescence. But, personally, I’m much closer to my dad than my mom so I could relate with her devastation over her dad’s health.
.-= sherry´s last blog ..Author Chris Bohjalian on book clubs =-.
I really enjoyed this book, but there were times I felt like the author wasn’t very kind to her husband and that her relationship with her father was a little odd.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Call me crazy: Clear Off Your Shelves Challenge =-.
It seems like a pretty depressing topic, so I’m glad you didn’t like it much so I don’t feel like I want to read it!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – Review of King Leopold’s Ghost, by Adam Hochschild =-.
When this book first came out, there were so many articles about or by her in all the magazines (Oprah magazine, etc) that it felt like overexposure. I wonder if a lot of people feel similiar to the way you do, Jill, because I’ve seen this book (in trade paperback) in the remainders section at both B and N and Borders. I think it would be tough for me to read a book like this, especially if I’ve had a close family member experiencing cancer like you did.
.-= Valerie´s last blog ..BBAW: Now What?? =-.
This was one of those books I know because of the cover but didn’t know anything about, and might have ended up reading anyway. My mom and I were very, very close, and she died of cancer when I was 16. I’m a little sensitive to cancer stories (especially when someone dies).Thank you for such an honest review–and thus “protecting” me from a book that would probably have been very unenjoyable.
.-= Cass´s last blog ..Related Readings: The Kennedy Legacy & The Importance of Being Kennedy =-.
I have the print version of this book on my shelves, but with so many I know, who have cancer lately, I just can’;t seen to read it.
.-= diane´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – The B Words (Burnout and Best Books) =-.
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this one more, Jill. I haven’t read this one, but like you, have read quite a number of great reviews that have me curious about it. I am not sure still if I will read it. I’ve been shying away from cancer related stories lately because my friend’s death is still too fresh for me.
.-= Literary Feline´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: Bookish Stereotypes & Reading in Public =-.
It’s very hard for me to enjoy a book when I can’t stand the protagonist.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Clear Off Your Shelves Challenge =-.
Thanks for the honest review. I generally avoid the cancer memoirs and related books. I have cared for and worried about my share of cancer patients, and these books tend to bring back the stress and worry. I reviewed such a book today, and it reminded me what I should just stay away…. Sorry to ramble.
LOVE your clean, fresh look.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Making Some Changes =-.
Love the way your blog looks. Great and fresh.
Like other commenters above, I am not into cancer stories at all, I cannot read them. But I like your balanced and well written review.
.-= Louise´s last blog ..Life as we knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer =-.
What’s up with all books today being on cancer
I am not going to read this one… well i m close to my mom too.. and i m sure.. i will feel same as you if i have to read that.
then I am not going to read something that will make me gloomy.. no no no!
.-= Veens´s last blog ..Tuesday Teasers! =-.
I just read an article in the Washington Post this morning about this book — and Corrigan, more importantly! It was all about the promotional tools she used to gain momentum and get The Middle Place noticed by not only mainstream media, but mainstream audiences. (Definitely worth a read, if you’re interested — particularly interesting to book bloggers, I think! It’s here.)
I enjoyed your review… and I’m not sure this is the book for me! My father has battled longterm illness and memoirs dealing with the issue tend to make my stomach hurt! Still, I agree about Corrigan’s bravery.
.-= Meg´s last blog ..Fall Into Reading 2009 — the challenge is on =-.