Review of It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
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Susanna Abigail
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- Latest Review: It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs by Karen Thiel
Review of It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
[Following is a volunteer review of "It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs" by Karen Thiel.]
"It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs," by Karen Thiel, is an emotionally charged memoir written in journal format, addressed to her mother. The book is an outcome of the author's coping mechanism to deal with the loss of her mother and other life challenges.
The author loses her mother unexpectedly to emphysema. She is overwhelmed with grief and trauma. Life seems so bleak without her mother, who had been a constant companion and friend for the past several years. She mourns. She struggles to cope. Then she writes. She reminisces her mother's love and recalls some memorable moments of her life.
Since the memoir revolves around the universal themes of familial love, loss, grief and healing, the author's emotions resonate with readers who've experienced the same relationships and emotions. I found many aspects of her life personally relatable. The family life of a large family of eight, a mother's role as the anchor of the family, her sudden loss, and the void it creates in her children's lives are palpable through the raw narration.
Through the author's letters, we meet a loving and caring mother, Maggie Jiggs. She loved her children unconditionally and disciplined them impartially. She was an optimist. Her response to the challenges life had thrown at her is amazing. She embraced the life with all its roses and thorns. She taught her children to live life, not just survive it.
The author's honest, transparent and candid narration makes the book interesting. The language is simple and easy to read. I liked the way she cherishes both good and bad memories and finds solace in recounting them. The recollection of adjusting the TV antenna
brought back my own childhood memories and gave me a chuckle.
The author's nighttime routine with her youngest brother, who has special needs, is heart wrenching. As painful as it is to lose loved ones, the knowledge of where they've gone and the assurance to meet them again is like an oasis of hope and comfort. I was touched by the author's recollection of her mother's last moments. She draws strength from her faith; the promise of an afterlife gives her hope to live in the present.
The book is professionally edited. I didn't find anything to dislike about the book, except the use of bad words. However, it is easily ignorable, considering the author's explanation in the introduction. As a reader, I could see the author as she really is, without makeup or a mask. This makes the memoir very real.
One can't close the book without appreciating the author for her role as a caregiver in the family, which she considers as the most rewarding job. It taught me more about life, love, patience, and resilience in the face of challenges.
In short, the memoir is all about loving without restrain and cherishing the memories shared with loved ones after they're gone. The book leaves a lasting imprint in memory and gently nudges the readers to love more and treasure more good memories in life.
I wholeheartedly give the book 5 out of 5 stars, because it is profound and moving. I recommend this book to memoir lovers and those who like the stories of mother–daughter relationships. Anyone who is grieving or in the process of healing after losing a loved one will find it a soulful read. A heartfelt tribute of a daughter to her departed mother.
******
It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs," by Karen Thiel, is an emotionally charged memoir written in journal format, addressed to her mother. The book is an outcome of the author's coping mechanism to deal with the loss of her mother and other life challenges.
The author loses her mother unexpectedly to emphysema. She is overwhelmed with grief and trauma. Life seems so bleak without her mother, who had been a constant companion and friend for the past several years. She mourns. She struggles to cope. Then she writes. She reminisces her mother's love and recalls some memorable moments of her life.
Since the memoir revolves around the universal themes of familial love, loss, grief and healing, the author's emotions resonate with readers who've experienced the same relationships and emotions. I found many aspects of her life personally relatable. The family life of a large family of eight, a mother's role as the anchor of the family, her sudden loss, and the void it creates in her children's lives are palpable through the raw narration.
Through the author's letters, we meet a loving and caring mother, Maggie Jiggs. She loved her children unconditionally and disciplined them impartially. She was an optimist. Her response to the challenges life had thrown at her is amazing. She embraced the life with all its roses and thorns. She taught her children to live life, not just survive it.
The author's honest, transparent and candid narration makes the book interesting. The language is simple and easy to read. I liked the way she cherishes both good and bad memories and finds solace in recounting them. The recollection of adjusting the TV antenna
brought back my own childhood memories and gave me a chuckle.
The author's nighttime routine with her youngest brother, who has special needs, is heart wrenching. As painful as it is to lose loved ones, the knowledge of where they've gone and the assurance to meet them again is like an oasis of hope and comfort. I was touched by the author's recollection of her mother's last moments. She draws strength from her faith; the promise of an afterlife gives her hope to live in the present.
The book is professionally edited. I didn't find anything to dislike about the book, except the use of bad words. However, it is easily ignorable, considering the author's explanation in the introduction. As a reader, I could see the author as she really is, without makeup or a mask. This makes the memoir very real.
One can't close the book without appreciating the author for her role as a caregiver in the family, which she considers as the most rewarding job. It taught me more about life, love, patience, and resilience in the face of challenges.
In short, the memoir is all about loving without restrain and cherishing the memories shared with loved ones after they're gone. The book leaves a lasting imprint in memory and gently nudges the readers to love more and treasure more good memories in life.
I wholeheartedly give the book 5 out of 5 stars, because it is profound and moving. I recommend this book to memoir lovers and those who like the stories of mother–daughter relationships. Anyone who is grieving or in the process of healing after losing a loved one will find it a soulful read. A heartfelt tribute of a daughter to her departed mother.
******
It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs by Karen Thiel
