About This Book
In this deeply personal and reflective journal, acclaimed author Madeleine L'Engle shares an intimate portrait of her mother's old age, decline, and eventual passing. Far from being solely about death, the book is a profound meditation on living, memory, and the enduring bond between a mother and daughter. L'Engle navigates the difficult emotions of witnessing a loved one's physical and mental changes with honesty, tenderness, and a remarkable sense of gratitude for the life shared. It offers solace and understanding to readers, particularly those dealing with or anticipating the loss of a parent, by normalizing the complex feelings involved and highlighting the beauty found even in life's final chapters. Recommended for mature readers, ages 12 and up, and adults.
This journal offers a loving and poignant portrait of L'Engle's mother in old age that is more about living than dying.
Character Death
illness
mental_health_themes
Discussion Prompts
1
How does L'Engle show that her book is 'more about living than dying'?
2
What memories or stories does L'Engle share that reveal her mother's personality and spirit?
3
How does the book help readers understand the process of aging and the emotions that come with it?
4
What does this book teach us about the bond between parents and children?
5
If you were to write a journal about someone important in your life, what aspects would you focus on?
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