So Far Away is a memoir by Christine W. Hartmann in which she takes us into a very personal time in her life and the effects that it had on her. The novel chronicles the lives of her parents from their early years to the time when each chooses a different path to take towards the end of their lives. It is a very compelling and emotional novel that had me angry at times and crying at others.
Christine’s mother feels the need to control everything which is why she decides early on in her life that she is going to take her own life at seventy years of age regardless of whether she’s sick or not. She is not leaving it up to fate. She does not want to be a burden to her family if and when she gets sick and unable to care for herself. Now she should have kept this information to herself but she doesn’t. Twenty years before the event is even to occur she tells her daughter Christine. From that point on Christine lives with this awful knowledge and it hurts her in ways we can’t even imagine. At first Christine really tries to change her mother’s mind but eventually because she doesn’t want to be shut out of her mother’s life she accepts the decision the best she can.
Christine’s parents had divorced when she and her brother were young and the kids stayed with their father. Christine’s father was the opposite of her mother. He let life take its course and really was one who valued his independence. He lived on his own and still worked and while he had his name on a list for a retirement home, he was in no way ready to go. Unfortunately for him though the decision was taken out of his hands when he suffered several major strokes.
For Christine her mother’s decision really had a profound effect on her. She already lived with feelings of abandonment where her mother was concerned from her leaving her children after the divorce. Yes she still saw her kids and loved them but she still left. With the decision to take her life she was again taking herself away from her daughter and, even more, disregarding her daughter’s thoughts and feelings on the subject. During the years leading up to the event Christine and her mother spent a lot of time together and became very close in so many ways. Sadly, this did not change her mother’s decision to take her own life. As for Christine’s father, after his strokes the tables turned and Christine became the caregiver. Her father had always been good to her and she loved him dearly but seeing him so changed by the strokes and having to care for him in ways she never imagined also took its toll on her.
I experienced a multitude of emotions reading this novel. I was extremely angry at Christine’s mother because I can’t imagine a mother putting her child through something like that and I can’t imagine having to live with that kind of knowledge for so many years. I think it was so selfish and Christine has been very brave in sharing such an intimate memoir and I sincerely hope that it has helped her to heal. I think I felt so strongly about this memoir because my own parents are now in their seventies and I see so many changes happening in them and most are not good. I often wonder now just when I’ll be put in the position of having to care for them and make life changing decisions for them that I’d probably rather not have to make. It’s a scary prospect and throughout Christine’s novel I could feel how all that had happened was so incredibly emotional for her to the point where she suffered from severe depression. So Far Away is really worth reading not only for those who enjoy intimate memoirs but also for those with parents who are aging. Be prepared with a box of Kleenex though.
I read So Far Away by Christine W. Hartmann for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Be sure to follow along with the other tour stops to see what they thought of the novel. You can visit Christine at her website and also read an essay she did at The Daily Beast here. Your own copy of So Far Away can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
I have one copy of So Far Away by Christine W. Hartmann up for giveaway. To enter…
- For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
- For 2 entries, follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know in your comment so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
- For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, December 10/11. Good luck everyone!
Source: Review copy provided by TLC Book Tours and the Publisher. I received no compensation for this review.
How very sad that Christine’s mother’s desire for control usurped her ability to take a chance on life. What a devastating thing to put your child through.
I can’t imagine having to live with the knowledge of what her mother planned to do.
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this powerful book is certainly emotional and unforgettable. many thanks.
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thanks for this incredible book and your thoughts.
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Thank you for this giveaway.
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I can’t imagine doing that to my own daughters. It seems so incredibly selfish and cruel to burden a child that way. My mom is 68 and in good health but I hate seeing the subtle changes taking place in her physically. It’s upsetting. Great review, Dar. Thanks for sharing this book with your readers and for being on the tour.
Holy cow, what a story! Why in the world would someone think taking their own life at 70 would be a good idea?
I would be so angry with my mother if she decided to do this and then told me about it! It’s not right to put your child through that much suffering and anguish, and I consider that to be a very selfish act indeed. A great review, Dar, and I can tell that this book really provoked some strong reactions in you. I would love the chance to read it, so please do enter me in your giveaway, if you please! Thanks for hosting it as well!
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I can’t imagine a mother putting their child through that 🙁
I know I couldn’t read this one; I take care of my mom, now in her eighties, and it has been very hard to watch the changes…
Wow! This sounds like an incredibly moving book. What a feat to write this by the author.
Out of no disrespect for the author, I do not wish to be a part of the giveaway. I have had some similar experiences and do not wish to dredge them up again.
Great post!
thanks for the chance to read this book
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I love memoirs! Thank you for the giveaway!
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Margaret
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I would love to win a copy of this book.
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I think that is selfish of her mom to decide to do that and put her daughter thru all that stress
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I’d love to read! Thanks for the giveaway –
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Just the whole idea that someone has decided to commit suicide regardless blows me away. To actually tell your daughter ahead of time is so very cruel. Wow…your review has me wanting to read this one big time!
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This does sound like an emotional memoir. That is so sad that her mother told her she was going to do that.
My parents are currently living away from their home so they can care for my mom’s parents who are 93 and 87 years old, so I’m sure this book would be REALLY hard for me to read right now. I can’t imagine being in the author’s shoes!
Thank for being a part of this tour Dar.
Sounds like an interesting but sad story. Thanks for the chance!
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I SO want to read this book!
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What a remarkable storyline. I would love to read this novel.
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Sounds like a very emotional novel, I would love to read it!
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Wow! This book sounds SO good! I would LOVE to win a copy. Thanks for the chance.
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