Jul 7, 2022
'Incredible. One of those rare books
that should be dispensed on prescription to every household.' -
Lucy Easthope, author of When the Dust Settles
'Hilarious, bitter, poignant and profound
. . . like an existential soap opera - only with more laughs.' -
Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan
It was the kind of phone call we all dread. Your elderly father has
been admitted to hospital. Your even older mum is now at home
alone. The answer? Simple. Drop everything, go back and help. The
reality? Not so straightforward. Suddenly, you’re a kid again,
stranded in the overheated house you grew up in. Soon they need you
24/7. And you want to help, of course you do. But now your own life
starts to unravel almost as quickly as their health. And then there
is nowhere else to go.
In between bouts of washing, feeding, cooking and fighting there
are times that test you, days where everything goes wrong and
moments when everyone, miraculously rises to the occasion. And
amidst all of that, this strange second childhood offers up a shot
at redemption - if you can just stop everyone from falling
down.
Irresistibly funny, unflinching and
deeply moving, this is a love letter to family and friends, to
carers and to anyone who has ever packed a small bag intent on
staying for just a few days. This is a true story of what it really
means to be a carer, and of the ties that bind even tighter when
you least expect it. This is The Reluctant Carer.