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Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 02 Feb 2023, 13:55
by Daniel Moore 4
[Following is a volunteer review of "Dear Abigail" by Richard Rees.]
Book Cover
5 out of 5 stars
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Dear Abigail, written by Welsh author Richard Rees, is a poignant tale of loss and love. The author's wife, Rachael, and daughter, Carys, both died of ovarian cancer, which was sad for him to go through. Three years after Carys' passing, Richard writes a letter to her young daughter, Abigail, to share the story of her mother and her mother's family. The letter turns into this book, a tribute to Abigail and a touching look at grief, love, and spirituality.

Richard recounts his meeting with Abigail's father, Ian, and shares with Abigail the unique circumstances of their relationship. Carys already knew that her family had a history of health problems and that she was likely to get ovarian cancer. Because of this, she and Ian married and had Abigail as soon as possible. Carys was sad to discover she had ovarian cancer while pregnant, but she and Ian decided to go ahead with Abigail's birth to catch the cancer early. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, Carys passed away at age 29, leaving Richard to care for Abigail.

The book is a true treasure, and I couldn't help but be enchanted by it. The author's writing showcased his experience and mastery of the art of writing. The story starts with a somber tone, but I felt a roller coaster of emotions with the author as I read through. I was on the edge of my seat, as the book was full of suspense and unexpected twists, even as the author took detours. Abigail's questions to the main character about living alone and the mysterious disappearance of Meryn kept me interested in the story until the end.

This book was an absolute delight to read. The author's style of writing was mesmerizing, and it was clear that he had been writing for a long time. The story starts out with a sad tone, but as I read on, I found myself going through a range of emotions with the author. Even though the author went in different directions, the book was a wild ride of suspense and the unexpected. One scene that particularly stood out was when Abigail probed the protagonist about living alone and the fate of Meryn, keeping me hooked until the very last page.

I had nothing but positive feelings toward this book, and I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. This memoir will touch the hearts of those who have experienced the loss of an adored loved one, making it a must-read for such individuals. Despite the minor editing errors, the book was still professionally edited and deserving of its high rating. I highly recommend it to fans of family-oriented stories and those seeking solace after a loss.

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Dear Abigail
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Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 19 Apr 2023, 02:24
by Shazyclaire Mark
I appreciate how your review highlights the book's emotional depth and realness, which is essential when reading about such a personal topic. Your comments on the author's writing style make me feel like the book will be a well-crafted and engaging read.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 19 Apr 2023, 14:15
by Sly Thompson
Your comments on the author's efforts to preserve memories for his granddaughter make me feel like the book will be a heartwarming and sentimental read. The book's focus on spirituality and finding meaning in the face of loss is a fascinating and important theme, which I am intrigued to explore further.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 20 Apr 2023, 20:52
by Salome Ogani
The fact that the book deals with the loss of multiple loved ones makes it a poignant and impactful read, which I am interested in exploring. The book's focus on family relationships and the importance of preserving memories is a touching and poignant theme, which I am interested in exploring.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 21 Apr 2023, 14:42
by Hartly Samsford
I love how the author uses his grief as a way to connect with others who have experienced loss. His willingness to be vulnerable and share his story is inspiring and shows that there is strength in vulnerability.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 22 Apr 2023, 11:40
by James Smith_
I appreciate that the author doesn't try to sugarcoat the difficult moments in his life, but instead presents them in a raw and honest way that is both powerful and relatable. The book is a tribute not only to the author's wife and daughter, but to all those who have experienced loss and have found ways to cope and find hope in the face of grief.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 22 Apr 2023, 23:29
by Victoria Ukamaka
The book is a reminder that grief is a universal human experience, and that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. The author's honesty and vulnerability are refreshing and make the book all the more powerful.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 23 Apr 2023, 01:38
by Tony T
I like how your review mentions that the book is easy to understand, which makes me feel like it will be a straightforward and accessible read. I appreciate the book's emphasis on the importance of family, connection, and love in our lives.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 23 Apr 2023, 09:02
by Merits Anih
The - personal connection to the book made the review even more heartfelt and genuine. It was clear that the book resonated deeply with the reviewer, and that made me even more interested in reading it.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 23 Apr 2023, 11:37
by Amandaruth Ama
The appreciation for the author's vulnerability in sharing his thoughts and feelings is a testament to the importance of honest and authentic writing. It shows that readers value and appreciate authors who are willing to be vulnerable and share their personal experiences.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 23 Apr 2023, 13:46
by Gavice Victoria
Thank you for your positive feedback, I like it! It's great to hear that my review was helpful in providing insights about the book and its strengths. I completely agree with you that the book is an excellent reminder to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones, as life is unpredictable and fleeting.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 24 Apr 2023, 17:56
by Ohanele Chinonyerem
This is really a very sad story. I believe that this book would be very emotional for me and people are really going through a lot and I commend on the strength of the author.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 25 Apr 2023, 12:42
by Einsthawkton Edeh
The book is a letter written by Richard to Carys' daughter Abigail, three years after Carys' passing. The letter to Abigail turned into a tribute to her mother and a touching look at grief, love, and spirituality.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 25 Apr 2023, 12:43
by Arrow Shot
The book recounts Richard's meeting with Abigail's father, Ian, and shares the unique circumstances of their relationship. Carys knew her family had a history of health problems and that she was likely to get ovarian cancer, so she and Ian had Abigail as soon as possible.

Re: Review of Dear Abigail

Posted: 25 Apr 2023, 12:44
by Amy Toria
The book highlights the importance of spirituality in coping with loss and grief. The book shows that love endures even after death. The book shows that memories are a powerful tool for healing.