Official Review: Last Dance by Stephen Manning
Posted: 15 Jan 2021, 14:09
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Last Dance" by Stephen Manning.]
What does it mean to be a great mother? Stephen Manning attempts to answer this question in this heartwarming story about his late wife, Mary Ann. The book is a labor of love written to celebrate the life of a lovely woman and a devoted mother.
Last Dance by Stephen Manning follows a linear path—each chapter unlocks tidbits and offers snapshots of their lives. The author describes the first moment he laid eyes on Mary Ann to her final breath when she succumbed to her illness and everything in between. Readers are entertained by the couples' fun-loving relationship, frequent moves around the country, and endearing stories about raising a family. While the good times were thoroughly documented, such as Stephen's flourishing career and the arrival of each child, it wasn't all roses. A family tragedy and a cancer diagnosis turned their lives upside down.
There were many things to like about the book, but my favorite of all of them was Stephen's unwavering love for Mary Ann. He was besotted with her throughout their entire marriage and often referred to her as his "angel." Everything he did seemed to be for the betterment of his family and Mary Ann—working tirelessly to get promotions, moving to the best family-friendly communities, and of course, letting Mary Ann call the shots.
Due to Stephen's ever-changing career, he traveled often, and the Mannings moved all over the country. Another aspect that I enjoyed about the book was the author's willingness to share his travel experiences. Exploring the Swiss Alps, wine tours in Napa Valley, and the rolling hills of Ireland were just a few of the destinations Stephen Manning described.
While I enjoyed learning about life in the Manning family, my only dislike was the slow pace, particularly in the first half of the book. Upon the first several chapters, I felt like the story was veering off course. At times, the author devoted too much detail to things that may be uninteresting to a reader. There were specific details about Stephen's job that I felt could have been omitted. For example, drawn-out conversations between him and his boss and the over-explanation of work-related projects. I felt this took the spotlight away from the heart of the story—Mary Ann and his children.
I was impressed by the book's overall presentation; I found very few errors, and confidently concluded that it was professionally edited. I have chosen to give Last Dance a rating of four out of four stars. Despite the slower pace, the raw emotion and unconditional love that Stephen felt for his wife translated into a beautiful love story—one I will never forget.
For readers dealing with the loss of a spouse due to illness, I would recommend this book. The author does an excellent job of documenting his grief while still celebrating Mary Ann's legacy. Those who love stories about family and unconditional love will find Stephen's words honest and relatable. While the content is suitable for all ages, I think the writing would resonate more with mature readers.
******
Last Dance
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
What does it mean to be a great mother? Stephen Manning attempts to answer this question in this heartwarming story about his late wife, Mary Ann. The book is a labor of love written to celebrate the life of a lovely woman and a devoted mother.
Last Dance by Stephen Manning follows a linear path—each chapter unlocks tidbits and offers snapshots of their lives. The author describes the first moment he laid eyes on Mary Ann to her final breath when she succumbed to her illness and everything in between. Readers are entertained by the couples' fun-loving relationship, frequent moves around the country, and endearing stories about raising a family. While the good times were thoroughly documented, such as Stephen's flourishing career and the arrival of each child, it wasn't all roses. A family tragedy and a cancer diagnosis turned their lives upside down.
There were many things to like about the book, but my favorite of all of them was Stephen's unwavering love for Mary Ann. He was besotted with her throughout their entire marriage and often referred to her as his "angel." Everything he did seemed to be for the betterment of his family and Mary Ann—working tirelessly to get promotions, moving to the best family-friendly communities, and of course, letting Mary Ann call the shots.
Due to Stephen's ever-changing career, he traveled often, and the Mannings moved all over the country. Another aspect that I enjoyed about the book was the author's willingness to share his travel experiences. Exploring the Swiss Alps, wine tours in Napa Valley, and the rolling hills of Ireland were just a few of the destinations Stephen Manning described.
While I enjoyed learning about life in the Manning family, my only dislike was the slow pace, particularly in the first half of the book. Upon the first several chapters, I felt like the story was veering off course. At times, the author devoted too much detail to things that may be uninteresting to a reader. There were specific details about Stephen's job that I felt could have been omitted. For example, drawn-out conversations between him and his boss and the over-explanation of work-related projects. I felt this took the spotlight away from the heart of the story—Mary Ann and his children.
I was impressed by the book's overall presentation; I found very few errors, and confidently concluded that it was professionally edited. I have chosen to give Last Dance a rating of four out of four stars. Despite the slower pace, the raw emotion and unconditional love that Stephen felt for his wife translated into a beautiful love story—one I will never forget.
For readers dealing with the loss of a spouse due to illness, I would recommend this book. The author does an excellent job of documenting his grief while still celebrating Mary Ann's legacy. Those who love stories about family and unconditional love will find Stephen's words honest and relatable. While the content is suitable for all ages, I think the writing would resonate more with mature readers.
******
Last Dance
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
