The Story of My Father

by Sue Miller

Book Overview

A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK In the fall of 1988, Sue Miller found herself caring for her father, James Nichols, once a truly vital man, as he succumbed to Alzheimer's disease. Beginning an intensely... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375414797
• ISBN13: 9780375414794
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
• Length: 173 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Heartfelt

Ms. Miller did a wonderful job putting together the story of her father's illness and how it became intertwined with her life. I used to work with Alzheimer's and dementia patients and saw how difficult it was for families, not to mention the person suffering. Many families fall apart because they can not make sense of what is happening to their parent, but it was encouraging to see someone stick by and care for their parent. I think this memoir accurately portrays the slow loss all people involved go through. Its a great book for caretakers and anyone touched by this disease.

Losing a father, finding a self

I have not been so moved by a book since the death of my own father 10 years ago. Sue Miller's memoir of her father's last years with Alzheimer's Disease tells the reader more about her than about her father. Her ability to stay connected to the complexity of feelings she experienced, even when they overwhelmed her and she couldn't articulate them, is astounding. Most moving of all is her father's final gift to her - a much deeper understanding of herself, of him. and of their relationship.

The Good Daughter

Sue Miller has written a very thoughtful, loving account of her father's downward spiral with Alzheimer's disease. I found very informative her discussion of the history of the disease and the medical updates on it as described in Chapter 3.As the title implies, there is more to this memoir than just an account of Ms. Miller's father's final days with Alzheimer's. She discusses much of her father's and her family's lives. The relationship of her parents, at least as she remembers it, was intriguing. I would like to have known either or both of her parents. Also, I bought the book from having read the first few pages in a local bookstore about James Nichols'-- the name of Ms. Miller's father-- feelings about pacificism. This is a brilliant first chapter that make you want to read more. Ms. Miller writes clear, beautiful prose.Just as important as Mr. Nichols' story is also the story of Ms. Miller and her own frustrations, anger, love and all the other emotions that a child/caretaker feels as she watches the disintegration of a brilliant, scholarly and loving father. She attempts to be completely honest about her own feelings--it seems to be as honest as one can be in tackling such a painful and personal subject.Mr. Nichols was lucky to have such a loving daughter. We, the readers, are likewise fortunate that she has written what had to be a very difficult book for her to write.

Extraordinary gift

Sue Miller has given us all the most extraordinary gift in the form of this wonderful memoir. My father was an Episcopal priest and although he died at an early age from leukemia, I could certainly relate to her tender descriptions of the relationship they had. The most important thing about the book is her careful description of the evolution over many years of the loving relationship she and her father had at the end. I could not decide whether to smile or cry throughout this book, but it is simply a gem. The factual information about AD is very important for all of us, but the intimate view she gives us of her own family life is truly a gift, an extraordinary gift, for which I am grateful.

Brilliant

sue miller is one of our national treasures, and now she has given us a rich portrait of her family of origin. the fine details are all there, along with insightful medical information aboutAD and its tentacles of demise. a compelling memoir and a poignant tribute to her father; i found myself wishing he had been my father, so compassionate and alive the text. bravo, ms. miller. this is one for the permanent collection of any daughter or son of a complex man.....