First published 2016
Kimberly Williams-Paisley confronts an unthinkable reality when her mother Linda receives a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia at age 62. This rare form of dementia strips away Linda's ability to speak and write, then erases her recognition of her own family members. Williams-Paisley chronicles her family's journey through Linda's deteriorating condition, revealing how each member coped differently with the loss. She documents their efforts to overcome shame and secrecy while learning about the disease. The family makes mistakes along the way but discovers unexpected moments of humor and grace amid their grief. Williams-Paisley shows how she and her father and siblings gradually accept the person Linda becomes as her illness progresses. The memoir explores the complex bond between mothers and daughters when that relationship faces its greatest test. Through candid storytelling, Williams-Paisley demonstrates how love adapts and endures even as a beloved family member disappears piece by piece.
Genres: psychology, medical, non-fiction, biography-memoir, health, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: grief, loss
272 pages · Hardcover · Crown Archetype
Content warnings: mental-illness