Review of Dear Abigail

Brendan Donaghy · Post by **Brendan Donaghy** » 14 Dec 2021, 03:15

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dear Abigail" by Richard Rees.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Dear Abigail, by Welsh writer Richard Rees, is a book that tells a sad story. Not only did the author lose his wife Rachael to ovarian cancer when she was in her mid-forties, but he then had to watch as the same terrible disease took his beloved daughter Carys when she was just twenty-nine. Carys’ daughter, Abigail, was only two at the time. Three years after Carys dies, the author sits down to write a letter to Abigail, to be given to her when she’s older. Abigail’s father has remarried and moved away, so the author wants to tell Abigail all about her mother and her mother’s family. The letter grows longer and becomes this book. At times, the author addresses Abigail directly. At other points, he writes for a wider audience. It is in these passages that the book transcends the personal and becomes a study of loss, love, and religious belief.

Potential readers are likely to worry that this book could get mawkish. They can rest easy. There is grief, of course, but there is also humor between the tears, arising both from how the author characterizes some of his family members, as well as from the events he describes. I also enjoyed how the author uses his personal sorrow to explore wider themes, such as his relationship with God. Both Rachael and Carys have strong religious beliefs, but the author finds his own faith shaken by events as he struggles to understand and accept what is happening. In the end, he confesses that he can see no rhyme or reason in the deaths of his wife and daughter. He finds himself asking: ‘Would it have spoilt some great eternal plan to have let them live, God?’ (Page 189)

Consciously or unconsciously, the author’s writing throws up contrasts between the brief lives of Rachael and Carys and the timelessness of the world that surrounds them. They live in a beautiful home that looks across the bay at a landscape that has changed little in thousands of years. Even their furniture is antique, the oldest pieces having belonged to Rachael’s family for centuries, ‘all ingrained with generations of loving polish and invested with their dreams.’ (Page 37) Add to that the frequent references to family members long gone, and the ancient Welsh language that is never far from the author’s pen, and the sense is of something immutable; individual lives are brief, but they are part of something much bigger that survives.

If I had to find a fault in the book, I would highlight the author’s fondness for using parentheses and dashes in his writing. To my mind, these are often unnecessary and break up the flow and rhythm of his excellent prose. That’s a minor gripe, however, and one that did not spoil my enjoyment of the book.

I am awarding this book four out of four stars. It has been professionally edited, and I found only a handful of minor errors. Given its somber themes, the book is probably more suitable for adult readers, but there is nothing in it that would make it off-limits for older teenagers. I recommend it to people who enjoy reading biographies and memoirs. Readers with caring responsibilities may also find it supportive. The book’s preliminary notes tell us that the author’s royalties from the book will go to an ovarian cancer charity.

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Dear Abigail
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Katarina Radovcic · Post by **Katarina Radovcic** » 15 Dec 2021, 09:07

My heart broke when I read the summary. How do you move on from such a pain?

zinoune Hicham · Post by **zinoune Hicham** » 15 Dec 2021, 10:13

In case of sorrows, we always need small moments of humor even if it exceeds reality to figure. this is one of the emotional dimension characteristics that can be replaced by what you define "passages".

Winnie_Grace · Post by **Winnie_Grace** » 15 Dec 2021, 23:09

The review is wholesome. It is indeed intriguing as the questions that hold real meaning to life are raised through this book. I would certainly love to read it. Such texts can leave a reader empty sometimes because of the emotional grip making it hard for a reader to move on.

Shivansh_Reviews · Post by **Shivansh_Reviews** » 16 Dec 2021, 07:57

The concept of the book seems pretty nice to me. I think it will be touching book for people who are a bit emotional. It not my type of thing so I'll pass this one. Thanks for the incredible review.

Mmaduabuchi Eze · Post by **Mmaduabuchi Eze** » 16 Dec 2021, 17:21

Rees' Dear Abigail addresses universal concerns. Life is a mixture of sorrows and laughters, losses and gains. May those grieving over the loss of loved ones find solace in Rees' Dear Abigail.

Post by **Lucy Vera** » 16 Dec 2021, 23:10

This book seems to be full of emotions. Excellent review. I would like to read this.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 09 Jul 2022, 07:48

This is an inspirational unique sad non-fiction book highlighting the author's family, ovarian cancer, love, loss, grief, growth, and religious belief. The book is temporarily discounted on Amazon Kindle and has an inciteful OnlineBookClub review. Congrats on the BOTD selection.

Ayesha Ameera Memon · Post by **Ayesha Ameera Memon** » 09 Jul 2022, 07:59

I cannot imagine suffering such a terrible loss. This book sounds like a beautiful ode to those who have left us, remembering their life and cherishing moments through words. Truly cannot wait to read it.

Ayesha Ameera Memon · Post by **Ayesha Ameera Memon** » 09 Jul 2022, 08:01

I cannot imagine suffering such a terrible loss. This book sounds like a beautiful ode to those who have left us, remembering their life and cherishing moments through words. Truly cannot wait to read it.

Ayesha Ameera Memon · Post by **Ayesha Ameera Memon** » 09 Jul 2022, 08:02

I cannot imagine suffering such a terrible loss. This book sounds like a beautiful ode to those who have left us, remembering their life and cherishing moments through words. Truly cannot wait to read it.

Laney K · Post by **Laney K** » 09 Jul 2022, 08:03

This seems like such a sad book about an awful loss. I am not a fan of such heavy themes so I will pass, but thank you for the informative review.

Jatto Onimisi · Post by **Jatto Onimisi** » 09 Jul 2022, 08:04

This review captures perfectly the emotions poured into writing the book. The story itself is a cocktail of emotions and I am not surprised at the author's questions and shake In beliefs. Having such a recurring event in one's life is a lifetime tragedy, the loss of loved ones could mean the death of one's soul. Richard's story is one to read and reflect on. I wish him success in his new cause and hope the scourge of Ovarian cancer is eliminated soon.

Etini Willie · Post by **Etini Willie** » 09 Jul 2022, 08:07

The very beginning of this review sent tears running down my eyes. What tragic losses. It is a hard thing to lose a spouse/partner. It is even harder to lose your child after you lost your spouse. Beautiful review though.

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 09 Jul 2022, 08:13

Oh my, this is a moving book featuring the three women in the author's life. (I wonder why Abigail's dad moved away.) Sometimes it is difficult to understand things that happen in one's life, especially the painful ones. But God is wise, merciful, and loving. When earthly life is over, we will know. And we will understand.