Official Review: Among the Fallen Leaves (A Journal on th...

[JenniferBoyce]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Among the Fallen Leaves (A Journal on the Battlefield of Cancer)" by Celeste Reichert-Friedman.]

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It’s been a long time since I’d read a book so powerful it brought me to tears. “Among the Fallen Leaves” not only brought me to tears, but also is a book that will stay with me for years to come.

“Among the Fallen Leaves (A Journal on the Battlefield of Cancer)” is a story of a woman’s mother, Awanna, who is afflicted with cancer. Despite being ill, Awanna is bent on living out her life as she normally would, to the point of endangering herself and the people she loves. Awanna struggles with the normal things terminally ill, elderly people struggle with- selling her house and moving in with her daughter, dealing with the pain associated with illness, and losing the constant companionship of a beloved pet. Yet despite all of the tribulation, she manages to stay (relatively) strong and live out her life as best, and as normally, as she can.

I have a grandmother who is ill with cancer, and has been for many years, and I’ve had a best friend lose her mother to breast cancer at a young age, so this book was especially powerful for me to read. But you don’t have to know someone who has cancer to be able to appreciate the message throughout this book. If you have anyone you’re close to in your life, whether it be a mother, a close friend, or even a family pet, this story will truly resonate within you.

The author did a fantastic job of caring for her mother and doing her best to meet the needs of her mother, even though she was ill herself. This book truly sends out a message of hope; even if you’re ill yourself, you’re still capable of caring for the ones you love and looking after them, as they would look after you.

The writing in this book is really powerful. The format of “Among the Fallen Leaves” is a collection of journal entries; the entire book comes from the journal of the daughter as she catalogued the journey through cancer that her mother faced. I found the format to be exceptionally powerful in the context of this story. It was easy to visualize the frustrations and struggles that the daughter faced as she cared for her mother through her journal entries. The entries just ring truth and soul bearing, showing the reader both the good times and the bad.

My favorite part of the story, and the parts that really stuck with me, were the sections that dealt with Honeybear, Awanna’s loving dog. The bond between Awanna and Honeybear was astoundingly strong, both held a deep seeded love for the other and were truly connected to each other. When the author was forced to give Honeybear to a family friend, owing to the fact that her mother was so ill and she herself couldn’t take care of the large dog, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. Any pet owner will find themselves torn with emotion at all mentions of the loving dog that is Honeybear.

In the end, I would give this book 4 out of 4 stars due to the truthful and heart-wrenching emotion present throughout the book. This is an important story of the love of a family, even in the depth of illness, that all should read, regardless of whether or not they know someone suffering in the grip of cancer.

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Buy "Among the Fallen Leaves (A Journal on the Battlefield of Cancer)" on Amazon

[Nathrad Sheare]

Wow... I'm sorry for your friend and for your grandma. I'm sorry for you, too. These things aren't easy to endure. I'm surprised you made it through the novel. I think I would have tossed it back into cyberspace after reading the first chapter. You're pretty brave.

You wrote a delightful review, making a strong case for the book in question. I think I might give it a look.

[JenniferBoyce]

Wow... I'm sorry for your friend and for your grandma. I'm sorry for you, too. These things aren't easy to endure. I'm surprised you made it through the novel. I think I would have tossed it back into cyberspace after reading the first chapter. You're pretty brave.

You wrote a delightful review, making a strong case for the book in question. I think I might give it a look.

Thank you for your kind words! I would highly recommend this book; it's a strong and powerful read and definitely one that will stick with you.

[Nathrad Sheare]

I hope the very best for you and for your grandma. Hang in, JenniferBoyce.

I like a good book that sticks with me. I'll take a look.

[FlyingSolo]

Dear Jennifer,

I thank you for your profound and pure review of my book, "Among the Fallen Leaves".
I have shared your remark about Honeybear with Beth about the moment he said his farewell to my mother. I visited Beth, Hope and Honeybear just this past Saturday. Honeybear thought he was leaving with me and going home. Hope cried loudly in the front yard as they watched me drive away and out of sight. I cried most of the way home. I live an hour away.
My wish is for my mother's story to inspire and comfort, maybe even bring a chuckle. I plan to start a blog on the website and keep everyone posted as our journey continues.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless you and thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Celeste