Beyond Forgetting: Poetry and Prose about Alzheimer's Disease (Literature & Medicine)Beyond Forgetting: Poetry and Prose about Alzheimer's Disease (Literature & Medicine)
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Alzheimer's disease is now estimated to affect one in two persons over the age of eighty and is being diagnosed in people as young as fifty. For the many people now trying to cope with a loved one suffering from this tragic disease, this collection will provide solace and valuable insight for family members as well as for those in the medical community who work with anyone afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.
Beyond Forgetting is a unique collection of poetry and short prose about Alzheimer's disease written by 100 contemporary writers--doctors, nurses, social workers, hospice workers, daughters, sons, wives, and husbands--whose lives have been touched by the disease. Through the transformative power of poetry, their words enable the reader to move "beyond forgetting," beyond the stereotypical portrayal of Alzheimer's disease to honor and affirm the dignity of those afflicted. With a moving foreword by poet Tess Gallagher, this anthology forms a richly textured literary portrait encompassing the full range of the experience of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease.
Because the writers share their personal stories as well as their poems and prose, this collection will be a valuable companion to anyone embarking on this difficult journey. In their honest, deeply moving, and compassionate portrayals, the voices collected here help illumine the darkness of this passage and help us see, as one of the contributors put it, "the unlikely light shining deep within it."
- Paperback: 10 pages
- Publisher: Kent State University Press; 2009-04
- Label: Kent State University Press
- Studio: Kent State University Press
- ISBN: 1606350072
- Sales Rank in Books: #902959
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:  Small, artful glimpses into the world of Alzheimer's Disease, By Jules (Mid-America) - See all my reviews This review is from: Beyond Forgetting: Poetry and Prose about Alzheimer's Disease (Literature & Medicine) (Paperback) This anthology includes pieces written and shared by (and for) individuals living with (or worried about developing) Alzheimer's, as well as works by and for the caretaking sons and daughters, spouses/partners, members of the medical community, siblings and others who have been touched by the disease. As you would hope, it is by turns sad, joyful, wrenching, appreciative, frustrating and familiar yet wondrous--and always illuminating. Another thing that I like about this particular collection is that although I'm sure that a full read-through from start to finish is most meaningful, even we non-poets can pick it up and open it at random to be rewarded with small glimpses--and sometimes a wide-angled "heartfull"--of the world of this disease from many, many different perspectives. You won't forget this one. I am glad to have read it and to feel a certain connection to the community of contributors, having lived some of their stories myself. 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: A Real Sharing in a Much Needed Book, By This review is from: Beyond Forgetting: Poetry and Prose about Alzheimer's Disease (Literature & Medicine) (Paperback) Holly Hughes has done the work for us, gathering the writing of others who name and describe the struggle and, yes, rewards of dealing with Alzheimer's Disease. As we learn in the Preface, her inspiration came close to home as she dealt with her mother, as did Tess Gallagher who provides the beautiful Foreword to the book. So many writers have dealt with this from the inside and here share their own stories. In poem after poem, they witness the confusing struggle to care well for loved ones and keep a dignity of person for both the cared for and the caregiver. In a book that is 90% poetry, I find the prose section titled "Missing Pieces" powerful as in Sarah Levitt's "Kaddish" where she wishes for a prayer to say not at the final death of the person, but each day with the small deaths of memory. Hughes has chosen to request and print a personal "note" from each writer at the end of their piece, which though reductive of the writing itself, extend the circle of caring. I thank her and...Read more 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Bittersweet Wisdom, Memories That Heal, By Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Beyond Forgetting: Poetry and Prose about Alzheimer's Disease (Literature & Medicine) (Paperback) This is an incredibly rich testament to the power of the human spirit, and the patient love involved in living with and caring for someone very dear who suffers from progressive dementia. As both a hospice nurse and the son of a sweet mother who recently died after many small strokes causing dementia, I am grateful for the honesty and beauty of these many poems and Tess Gallagher's very moving Foreward. Very highly recommended -- but sometimes some tough stuff in here! |
