Despite knowing it’s a mad idea, Lily agrees to take her mother on one last road trip around the UK, in this new novel by the bestselling author of His Other Woman.
This trip will be challenging because Lily’s mother can no longer be described as ‘just a bit forgetful’: Moira has started talking to imaginary friends and singing Abba songs in public, and last week she began emptying boxes of cereal onto the floor in the supermarket.
Lily is worried and embarrassed by her mother’s behavior but, despite her recent dementia diagnosis, Moira is happy – albeit in a sweary sort of way – and insists the journey will help her write a memoir.
As they trundle across the country in an ancient VW campervan, Lily feels the strain as she struggles to deal with her mother’s decline, her own daughter’s criticism and her ex-husband’s upcoming wedding plans to a younger woman. One night, leaving Moira alone in the hotel, Lily meets a man in a bar and, for the first time in years, she feels alive.
This road trip was intended to celebrate the past. But will it end in crisis, or might Lily’s chance encounter help build a new future for this fractured family?
Praise for Sarah Edghill’s A Thousand Tiny Disappointments
“Thoroughly gripping . . . Sarah Edghill knows how to pinpoint what goes on in families.” —Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
“An accomplished, moving and ultimately uplifting novel.” —Hannah Persaud, author of The Codes of Love
What did I think.
I hadn't heard of this author before so wasn't sure to expect with my first book - but the cover really appealed to me - such gorgeous colours.
Maybe if I had read the blurb more closely I might not have agreed to read and review this book. I would have thought it was all a bit too close to home as I lost my Mum several months ago.
The story focuses on 3 female members of the family. Moira has been diagnoses with early onset dementia and wants to visit places she can remember before the disease robs her of her memories. Maybe reading that you will think that this is a sad story - but it isn't. It was heartwarming - as the story focuses on the importance of family and their communication. It also highlighted the need to make time for each other. I lived a long way away from my Mum so didn't see her as often as I would have liked.
Please to see I have a few of her earlier titles to work my way through.
