Review of It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs

[Ashley Hodgins]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs" by Karen Thiel.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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To grieve is to have known love, and author Karen Thiel knew the love of an amazing mom. The book "It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs" explores the love, memories, and grief of a daughter, providing a glimpse into the author's grieving process.

After losing her mother, the author recounts her path toward healing in "It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs." It recounts the joys, the sorrows, the laughs, and every moment in between from their incredibly rich lives. Throughout the novel, the author's love and grief are both palpable. You will read about the full circle the author experienced in this book. How, when her mom ages and her health deteriorates, the roles are reversed and the daughter takes on the role of protector and caregiver. It emphasizes the value of the little things—the giggles, the intimate moments, and the things you will cherish long after the person you love is no longer physically with you. The youngest sibling in the author's big family has special needs. With the assistance of her siblings, the author continues to take care of her baby brother. Reading about their nightly routines will simultaneously warm and break your heart. The author learned the value of caregiving early in life, and she has proudly and selflessly shared this gift with others.
The author's admission that this is her experience and path and that she does not speak for her siblings is my favorite aspect of the book. The author acknowledges that her siblings view and interpret their mother's passing through their own unique lenses.

This book didn't disappoint in any way. The author's own personality came through in her writing; it was honest, unvarnished, and real.

This book received a rating of 5/5 from me. It was written in an approachable style and professionally edited. It was a beautiful homage to an amazing mother and a relationship many people can only dream of having with a parent, even if it was emotional and made me cry multiple times.

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It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
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