I am writing a literary love letter, well more likely shopping one.
A dear dear old friend of mine just sent me an email telling me of her recent diagnosis of breast cancer and her continuing battle with it. A long road.
I lent her a book a few months ago, and while she was heading to one of the waiting rooms she spends so much time in now, she picked it up to take it with her, and she loved it. She even laughed out loud in Chemo. Captain Correlli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières. If you're reading this, thank you Louis de Bernières. You can know that you helped at least one person during a very difficult time.
My friend has asked me for more book titles, books she will love, books she that will make her laugh. I am now on a poignant, but entrancing quest, to find books that SHE specifically will love, that would suit her down to the ground, and that will fill her with happiness and laughter.
It is a wonderful way to think of another person, to look at them through the lens of literature, through their viewpoint, and interests and sense of humour.
Making the list now, sending it soon....via Amazon, at least in part.
Hang tough friend.
8 comments:
Doesn't news like that always leave you "off your feet"? Words fail and yet we keep moving, waking up, putting our feet on the floor and finding another way to live our days.
What a wonderful way to show someone you care.
a lovely post. it's something helpful to offer your friend - these times in hospital( which I know too much about at the moment with my mother in law very sick) sometimes can't be avoided but can be eased by books, by friends, by music, little things that make a difference. so often I can't think of what to say or do to support someone but it can be the small thoughtful things that make a huge difference. K x
What a bittersweet quest. May I throw out a couple of suggestions?
The Life and TImes of The Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson (sweet and funny memoir of childhood in the 50s and 60s)
Too Close to The Falls by Catherine Gildiner
Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes
No Touch Monkey by Ayun Halliday
These all had me laughing out loud when I read them. I don't know if they're everybody's taste - but something to look into maybe?
Kim, exactly. Off your feet, and so powerless.
Mmichele, what else can I do?
K, it is true, anything that helps has to be a good thing.
Trish, by all means, thank you for the book list, I'll send them on.
Good thoughts for your friend and her journey. Having your support will be a big help to her.
Would she like the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith? They are gentle and soothing, funny and kind, with a wonderful sense of Africa and strong female characters.
That's a great idea! Thanks JG.
That's a great idea! Thanks JG.
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