Review by Henrytbab -- Dying Well by Susan Ducharme Hoben
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Review by Henrytbab -- Dying Well by Susan Ducharme Hoben
[Following is a volunteer review of "Dying Well" by Susan Ducharme Hoben.]
Written by Susan Ducharme and sprinkled with love stories with Bruce Hobben, the author's husband, Dying Well: Our Journey of Love and Loss is a true life story that pours cold water on perhaps the hottest subject and the harshest reality of human existence: death.
Very late in the twentieth century, Susan faces the dreadful threat of cancer. She receives support from her loved ones, especially from Bruce Hobben who generously offers emotional and physical support. Eight years later, Bruce is faced with cancer and in turn receives support from Susan. After undergoing some treatments, Bruce's cancer goes into remission. Later, the symptoms of the troubling cancer resurfaces with more severity. Due to the recurrence of esophageal and liver cancer, and presented with two undesirable options, Bruce is caught between a rock and a hard place and has to choose the best option.
I related with the author's claim — and I believe most people would — that challenges, although not desired, affords us an inadvertent blessing of knowing our true friends. One really gets to know who one's true friends are when faced with a tough challenge. One thing I also found interesting very early while reading the book is the author's need to enjoy simple pleasures like playing, "sitting on the deck or the patio, and napping" which is also great in lessening the burden of existence as opposed to some people's resolute desire to be joyful only during the celebrations of notable achievements which, due to their usual, ephemeral nature, pave way for the people's persistent dissatisfaction and not recognizing the value of the present as soon as a new, earth-shaterring goal is set.
The book contains a swear word and given that it is emotionally laden, it is not suitable for children. Anyone interested in life-and-death questions; anyone with a loved one with a terminal illness or anyone who is unsure of what or what not to say to a terminally ill person will surely find solace and interesting ideas while reading this book as Bruce and Susan work through their dilemma.
Although the detailed illustrations were tiring at times, the vivid descriptions of the events as they unfold is nothing short of brilliance. It transports the reader into a new world, a new place. Organized in easy-to-follow chapters, the book was also exquisitely edited and grammar errors are virtually nonexistent. Therefore I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Dying Well
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Written by Susan Ducharme and sprinkled with love stories with Bruce Hobben, the author's husband, Dying Well: Our Journey of Love and Loss is a true life story that pours cold water on perhaps the hottest subject and the harshest reality of human existence: death.
Very late in the twentieth century, Susan faces the dreadful threat of cancer. She receives support from her loved ones, especially from Bruce Hobben who generously offers emotional and physical support. Eight years later, Bruce is faced with cancer and in turn receives support from Susan. After undergoing some treatments, Bruce's cancer goes into remission. Later, the symptoms of the troubling cancer resurfaces with more severity. Due to the recurrence of esophageal and liver cancer, and presented with two undesirable options, Bruce is caught between a rock and a hard place and has to choose the best option.
I related with the author's claim — and I believe most people would — that challenges, although not desired, affords us an inadvertent blessing of knowing our true friends. One really gets to know who one's true friends are when faced with a tough challenge. One thing I also found interesting very early while reading the book is the author's need to enjoy simple pleasures like playing, "sitting on the deck or the patio, and napping" which is also great in lessening the burden of existence as opposed to some people's resolute desire to be joyful only during the celebrations of notable achievements which, due to their usual, ephemeral nature, pave way for the people's persistent dissatisfaction and not recognizing the value of the present as soon as a new, earth-shaterring goal is set.
The book contains a swear word and given that it is emotionally laden, it is not suitable for children. Anyone interested in life-and-death questions; anyone with a loved one with a terminal illness or anyone who is unsure of what or what not to say to a terminally ill person will surely find solace and interesting ideas while reading this book as Bruce and Susan work through their dilemma.
Although the detailed illustrations were tiring at times, the vivid descriptions of the events as they unfold is nothing short of brilliance. It transports the reader into a new world, a new place. Organized in easy-to-follow chapters, the book was also exquisitely edited and grammar errors are virtually nonexistent. Therefore I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Dying Well
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
-George Bernard Shaw
-George Bernard Shaw
