Review of Dear Abigail

[Shazyclaire Mark]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Dear Abigail" by Richard Rees.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Dear Abigail by Richard Rees is a heartfelt letter-turned-book for his beloved granddaughter. It's filled with a mix of emotional and funny memories and a lot of love. Unfortunately, Richard's wife, Rachel, died in her 40s from ovarian cancer. Their son and daughter were already grown when she passed. Nevertheless, Rachel was the love of his life.

In the letter, Richard tells Abigail how he met her father, Ian. It's a funny and sweet tale of how they met and how Ian and Richard's daughter, Carys, fell in love. Unfortunately, Carys discovered she also had ovarian cysts, which were all benign. However, because ovarian cancer ran in her mother's family, her doctor recommended she have a hysterectomy by age 30. So, Ian and Carys decided to marry quickly, and shortly after, Carys was pregnant. During the pregnancy, Carys started to experience pain, thinking she was losing the baby. But it turned out to be appendicitis, and the appendix showed cancer, which meant she likely had ovarian cancer. They went ahead with the pregnancy, and Abigail was born two months early and was in the NICU for a while. Sadly, cancer had grown, and Carys passed away at 29—shortly before Abigail turned 2. Carys had requested that her father make sure Abigail knew her origin, hence this letter. It's a touching and emotional read filled with hope and love.

The book is truly a gem, and I couldn't help but love it. A few things stood out to me as positive aspects of the book. Firstly, the author's writing style was exquisite. Even though the book is deeply personal, it is clear that the author is an experienced writer. Secondly, the book begins on a sad note, but as you read through it, you experience a range of emotions with the author. I was reading, expecting the worst, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't as bad as I had feared. Finally, the book was full of suspense. Even as the author digressed, it always kept me on edge. One moment that particularly stood out to me was when Abigail asked why he lives alone and what happened to Meryn.

I absolutely loved this book and couldn't find a single thing I didn't like about it. I understand that Richard wrote this letter to Abigail and was waiting until she was older to give it to her, and I hope when she does read it, she will realize how lucky she is to have such a beautiful and heartfelt letter from her grandfather. I couldn't find a single negative aspect, it was an emotional journey for me, and there were moments when I wished I could change some of the events. But overall, it was a fantastic read, and I would give it 5 out of 5 stars without hesitation.

One thing I appreciated about the book was that it was professionally edited. I noticed only two minor errors throughout the entire book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading family-themed stories or those who have lost a loved one. It will be a book they will connect with on a deep level.

******
Dear Abigail
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Ukaegbu Confidence]

The pain of losing a loved one is something that I find indescribable. There's no way of explaining why you feel like there are literal cracks in your heart. I wish I had this kind of letter from the family I've lost; it would have made all the difference.

[Gemmachi Jane]

A heartfelt letter , to go through. This review, literally made me, have a grasp, of the series of emotions, this book brings along. I can't wait to turn through the pages. A great read, this is, by no small means.

[Neto Chukwu]

I can feel the amount of love Richard has for his granddaughter Abigail from this review already. Nothing compares to having a family that genuinely loves you. I hope Richard can get over his daughter's death after a while.

[Marvellous Ekenna]

I've found another book for my next read, although I am not particularly happy that Richard's love and wife had to die, however just thinking about the sweet things Richard must have written in the letter, has totally replaced the sadness I felt from knowing his wife died. I hope it meets my expectations.

[Sly Thompson]

Your review has a great sense of empathy and understanding, which makes me feel like I'll be able to relate to the book on a personal level. I like how your review mentions that the book is professionally edited, which shows that it's a high-quality read.

[Daniel Moore 4]

The fact that the book is a memoir means that it will be a unique and personal read, which I am always drawn to. Your review does an excellent job of conveying the book's emotional impact, which makes me excited to read it.

[Salome Ogani]

The book's themes of love, loss, and hope are universal and will resonate with readers from all walks of life. It's a powerful reminder that even in the face of tragedy, there can be moments of beauty and grace.

[Hartly Samsford]

What struck me most about the book is how it shows the power of writing as a tool for healing and connection. By writing letters to his granddaughter, the author is able to keep the memory of his wife and daughter alive and create a connection with his granddaughter that spans generations.

[James Smith_]

I appreciate that the author doesn't shy away from discussing difficult topics, such as death and grief, in a way that is both honest and empathetic. The author's dedication to preserving the memory of his loved ones is inspiring and shows the power of love and connection in our lives.

[Victoria Ukamaka]

The author's insights into the nature of grief and the human experience are thought-provoking and moving. The book is a beautiful tribute to the author's wife and daughter, and a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

[Tony T]

One of the things that stood out to me was the author's use of religious and spiritual themes throughout the book. As someone who is also interested in exploring spirituality, I found his insights and reflections on faith and the afterlife to be thought-provoking and insightful.

[Merits Anih]

After reading this review, I am definitely interested in reading this book. The author's personal story and the way it was presented in the review touched my heart, and I feel that reading the book would be a powerful and meaningful experience.

[Amandaruth Ama]

The overall assessment that the book is a must-read for anyone who has experienced loss or is struggling to find hope is a valuable recommendation. It shows that the book has the potential to make a real impact on readers' lives.

[Gavice Victoria]

I like the ability to convey the book's emotional impact without being overly sentimental or melodramatic. It shows that the review is well-written and thoughtful. The assessment that the book is an important one that needs to be shared is a valuable insight. It shows that the book has