Review of It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
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Elavarasi Charles
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Review of It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
[Following is a volunteer review of "It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs" by Karen Thiel.]
“I wasn’t finished being the little girl that needed her.”
Karen Thiel pours her heart out in her book It’ll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs, written to help her cope with the loss of her mother. Sometimes funny and sometimes poignant, her honest introspection moves readers to tears and leaves a sense of completeness in the end.
Growing up in a small town that instilled family values early on, the author shows through her writing how much she loves her family. The most important person is her mother, Verna, known as Maggie Jiggs, followed closely by her little brother, who was born with Down syndrome. From being on the receiving end of care to becoming a caregiver to her brother, Karen elaborates on how her mother influenced her since childhood to become the strong and loving sister she is today.
The chapters in her book are all written at different points in life, whenever her memories overwhelmed her and she needed to find her footing. The result is this book that gently guides readers in coping with their own loss or in struggling to find peace with their parents. Through real-life incidents, she effectively portrays the complexities in parent-child relationships, especially the mother-daughter bond, and shows the readers how it all can end up as chaotic yet heartwarming memories.
I cried, literally, and laughed, and in rare moments did both. I loved all the memories of the author growing up under her equally mischievous mother. Some incidents were hilarious; I couldn’t help but giggle. The pair was adorable with all their banter and caring for each other. The chapter ‘Remember…Mom’ is poetic, where the author takes us on her life journey—from being in kindergarten to where she is today—holding on to the ‘it’ll be all right’ her mother used to say to her every time she needed to hear it. It was a heartfelt joyride that slowly came to a sad halt. Ms. Maggie Jiggs’ last moments were arresting; I felt as though I were in the same room witnessing them helplessly. I appreciate the author’s choice to share such vulnerable last moments. It was a sad yet beautifully peaceful transition to the afterlife.
This book is written with adults in mind and contains a generous amount of profanity. The editing is flawless as I encountered no errors, and I have nothing to dislike. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s struggling with the loss of a loved one. If you are looking to renew a severed bond with your parents or children, it’s a perfect fit for you too. Just make sure to have your tissues ready by your side. I gladly give it a 5 out of 5 for this memorable read.
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It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
“I wasn’t finished being the little girl that needed her.”
Karen Thiel pours her heart out in her book It’ll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs, written to help her cope with the loss of her mother. Sometimes funny and sometimes poignant, her honest introspection moves readers to tears and leaves a sense of completeness in the end.
Growing up in a small town that instilled family values early on, the author shows through her writing how much she loves her family. The most important person is her mother, Verna, known as Maggie Jiggs, followed closely by her little brother, who was born with Down syndrome. From being on the receiving end of care to becoming a caregiver to her brother, Karen elaborates on how her mother influenced her since childhood to become the strong and loving sister she is today.
The chapters in her book are all written at different points in life, whenever her memories overwhelmed her and she needed to find her footing. The result is this book that gently guides readers in coping with their own loss or in struggling to find peace with their parents. Through real-life incidents, she effectively portrays the complexities in parent-child relationships, especially the mother-daughter bond, and shows the readers how it all can end up as chaotic yet heartwarming memories.
I cried, literally, and laughed, and in rare moments did both. I loved all the memories of the author growing up under her equally mischievous mother. Some incidents were hilarious; I couldn’t help but giggle. The pair was adorable with all their banter and caring for each other. The chapter ‘Remember…Mom’ is poetic, where the author takes us on her life journey—from being in kindergarten to where she is today—holding on to the ‘it’ll be all right’ her mother used to say to her every time she needed to hear it. It was a heartfelt joyride that slowly came to a sad halt. Ms. Maggie Jiggs’ last moments were arresting; I felt as though I were in the same room witnessing them helplessly. I appreciate the author’s choice to share such vulnerable last moments. It was a sad yet beautifully peaceful transition to the afterlife.
This book is written with adults in mind and contains a generous amount of profanity. The editing is flawless as I encountered no errors, and I have nothing to dislike. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s struggling with the loss of a loved one. If you are looking to renew a severed bond with your parents or children, it’s a perfect fit for you too. Just make sure to have your tissues ready by your side. I gladly give it a 5 out of 5 for this memorable read.
******
It'll Be Alright, Maggie Jiggs
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Scarlet Birthright by Scarlet Ibis James
