Review by cookiedough -- Dying Well by Susan Ducharme Hoben
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cookiedough
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- Latest Review: Dying Well by Susan Ducharme Hoben
Review by cookiedough -- Dying Well by Susan Ducharme Hoben
[Following is a volunteer review of "Dying Well" by Susan Ducharme Hoben.]
Dying Well by Susan Ducharme Hoben is an autobiography of her journey with her husband’s cancer diagnosis. It’s half a love story and half a detailed battle of an illness. While the title of the book appears dark, it’s also a book that focuses on celebrating life and appreciating the little moments.
Hoben starts off the book with her cancer battle and how she overcame it. The end of her cancer battle started the beginning of her ‘Celebration of Life’ parties. These parties happened each year to acknowledge her win against cancer. She mentioned how her husband, Bruce, was by her side every step of the way in her battle. However, their happiness was short-lived. A few years later, Bruce sees a doctor for some pain he experienced. The results came back, and Bruce received the sad news. He had an aggressive stage of esophageal cancer. This news shattered Bruce and Susan’s world. After carefully thinking of the options, Bruce chooses an aggressive treatment. After treatment, all seems well for a few weeks. However, cancer had another idea and worsened Bruce’s health. Within nine months, Bruce would go from his usual, caring self to living his last moments surrounded by his loved ones. While the author mentions Bruce’s inevitable end at the beginning of the story, how they made tough choices together and maintained a great attitude is worth reading. Their love story is striking, and the adversity they faced humbly will leave chills.
I liked how Hoben described in detail the food she cooked and the flowers that bloomed in her house. She doesn't tell the reader what was happening in her environment, but she showed it. While Hoben may have mentioned that she is not a writer, I was surprised she had never written before. She wrote vivid descriptions and created beautiful imagery. The chapter where Hoben took her family to a beach to spend time together was my favorite. Despite the dark times, Hoben did her best to create memories for her grandchildren and for the short time her husband had left.
The love story of Susan and Bruce is endearing. I enjoyed reading how their bond and care for one another lasted until the end. I could feel the love Susan had for her husband in the way she described him throughout the book. In their long-term marriage, they respected and valued one another. It was a nice contrast to the battle Bruce faced.
One aspect of the book that I didn’t enjoy was the predictability. The approach the author took in telling her story was mentioning her husband’s death at the beginning of the book. Suspense could have been created if the author told the story without it in the beginning. It was still a great story that I found inspiring.
Overall, Dying Well is a moving memoir about the battle with cancer and celebrating life. I recommend this book to teenagers, young adults, and adults. It’s a love story that will uplift many. I barely found any spelling or grammar mistakes. The book was well edited. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.
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Dying Well
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Dying Well by Susan Ducharme Hoben is an autobiography of her journey with her husband’s cancer diagnosis. It’s half a love story and half a detailed battle of an illness. While the title of the book appears dark, it’s also a book that focuses on celebrating life and appreciating the little moments.
Hoben starts off the book with her cancer battle and how she overcame it. The end of her cancer battle started the beginning of her ‘Celebration of Life’ parties. These parties happened each year to acknowledge her win against cancer. She mentioned how her husband, Bruce, was by her side every step of the way in her battle. However, their happiness was short-lived. A few years later, Bruce sees a doctor for some pain he experienced. The results came back, and Bruce received the sad news. He had an aggressive stage of esophageal cancer. This news shattered Bruce and Susan’s world. After carefully thinking of the options, Bruce chooses an aggressive treatment. After treatment, all seems well for a few weeks. However, cancer had another idea and worsened Bruce’s health. Within nine months, Bruce would go from his usual, caring self to living his last moments surrounded by his loved ones. While the author mentions Bruce’s inevitable end at the beginning of the story, how they made tough choices together and maintained a great attitude is worth reading. Their love story is striking, and the adversity they faced humbly will leave chills.
I liked how Hoben described in detail the food she cooked and the flowers that bloomed in her house. She doesn't tell the reader what was happening in her environment, but she showed it. While Hoben may have mentioned that she is not a writer, I was surprised she had never written before. She wrote vivid descriptions and created beautiful imagery. The chapter where Hoben took her family to a beach to spend time together was my favorite. Despite the dark times, Hoben did her best to create memories for her grandchildren and for the short time her husband had left.
The love story of Susan and Bruce is endearing. I enjoyed reading how their bond and care for one another lasted until the end. I could feel the love Susan had for her husband in the way she described him throughout the book. In their long-term marriage, they respected and valued one another. It was a nice contrast to the battle Bruce faced.
One aspect of the book that I didn’t enjoy was the predictability. The approach the author took in telling her story was mentioning her husband’s death at the beginning of the book. Suspense could have been created if the author told the story without it in the beginning. It was still a great story that I found inspiring.
Overall, Dying Well is a moving memoir about the battle with cancer and celebrating life. I recommend this book to teenagers, young adults, and adults. It’s a love story that will uplift many. I barely found any spelling or grammar mistakes. The book was well edited. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Dying Well
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Dying Well by Susan Ducharme Hoben
