Review of Dear Abigail

[Salome Ogani]

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

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5 out of 5 stars

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Richard Rees' memoir, Dear Abigail, is a touching tribute to his daughter Carys' incredible bravery and strength in her battle against ovarian cancer. Even when facing grim odds, Carys never lost her will to survive for the sake of her newborn daughter, Abigail. Surrounded by the unwavering love and support of her father, Richard, husband, Ian, and many friends, Carys inspires all around her with her resilience and optimism.

While reading this book, I found myself growing deeply attached to Richard's family, especially Richard himself, whose profound love for his family shone through. His fond remembrances of little Carys brought a bittersweet smile. Richard's calm strength and sincere recounting of his life events painted a portrait of a man who, despite enduring terrible grief, became the rock his family needed. His determination to gift his granddaughter Abigail with knowledge of her mother's inspiring life was incredibly moving. I love that this book encapsulates so many emotions: love, loss, courage, and nostalgia. But most of all, it is a testament to the power of family and the love that binds us across generations. Richard honored his daughter's memory in the most beautiful way so that Abigail could carry it forever in her heart.

The grief depicted in this book makes it most suitable for mature adult readers. Mr. Rees pours his heart out on the page, chronicling his anguish after the loss of his beloved daughter and wife. His raw emotions and the tragedy of Carys' early death create an intensely moving narrative. Because of the sophisticated themes of mortality, family bonds, and coping with monumental loss, I would recommend Dear Abigail specifically for adult readers rather than younger audiences. For those who appreciate nonfiction books tackling weighty, emotive subjects, this book is a must-read. There was nothing I disliked about the book, which is why I am rating it 5 out of 5 stars. Finally, it was professionally edited, as I encountered only a few errors while reading it.

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Dear Abigail
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