Reading this with book group. Very odd, excellent book (4.75, I’d say). It might be hard to read if a loved one has or had dementia or a terminal illness.

Much of it reads like a litany that turns out to be a narrative (the litany of the swimming pool, followed by the litany of forgetting). The introduction to the memory-care facility reads more like a brochure or web page.

There were so many spots where I recognized my mother’s behavior and was, once again, grateful that she remembered my brother, my closest cousins, and me until the end.

The author writes very crisply. The narrative and her relationship to her mother sneak up on you as you move through the book.

It made me sad for my mom all over again, but also grateful that we were able to give her loving, very personal care.

The style is unique and uses an impersonal tone to become deeply personal.