Author: Amy Bloom
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: March 8, 2022
Book Description: Amy Bloom began to notice changes in her husband, Brian: He retired early from a new job he loved; he withdrew from close friendships; he talked mostly about the past. Suddenly, it seemed there was a glass wall between them, and their long walks and talks stopped. Their world was altered forever when an MRI confirmed what they could no longer ignore: Brian had Alzheimer’s disease.
Forced to confront the truth of the diagnosis and its impact on the future he had envisioned, Brian was determined to die on his feet, not live on his knees. Supporting each other in their last journey together, Brian and Amy made the unimaginably difficult and painful decision to go to Dignitas, an organization based in Switzerland that empowers a person to end their own life with dignity and peace.
In this heartbreaking and surprising memoir, Bloom sheds light on a part of life we so often shy away from discussing—its ending. Written in Bloom’s captivating, insightful voice and with her trademark wit and candor, In Love is an unforgettable portrait of a beautiful marriage, and a boundary-defying love.
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: This is the third book in March that read that chronicles the loss of a husband. Two were for the Modern Mrs Darcy Book club and this one, because I love Amy Bloom. While difficult each one was beautifully written and gave a different view on this difficult topic.
Amy’s husband was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and quickly decides he wants to end his life on his own terms. Bloom spends time in this memoir to share their love story but ultimately the process of finding Dignitas in Switzerland and all the lengths they go through to get accepted by their organization.
She does not hold back at all about her feelings, and at times this felt like a study of how this process works. This is not an easy topic at all and I understand not everyone will agree with the decisions made on this journey. I imagine it was very cathartic for Bloom, but also this might just help other families who are facing similar situations. My heart goes out to her for the decisions she had to make, and ultimately supporting the man she loves, to choose to end his life on his own terms and timeline. Ultimately knowing how it will end, gave him strength, but also allowed his family to be part of this process with him.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Obsessed Bookaholic 