Comments (33)

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Apr 30, 2023LT rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Moving and readable. Ms. Johnson isn't necessarily in touch with her own privilege (most of us don't grow up in a 23-room home on the lakefront with a mother who can afford to play tennis at the club all day); occasionally, this makes her…
Nov 25, 2021
What does ‘availability can’t be retrieved for this title’ mean?
Sep 07, 2021martins_mom rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
What to do when aged parents are gone and what is left is a large (really large) rambling house full of memories - and stuff? and five adult children, all with differing personalities and ideas about how to tackle the clearout of the old…
Oct 09, 2019SCL_BookClubs rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Our Monday Afternoon Book Club could have discussed this book for hours! Plum Johnson packed so much into one book about the highs and lows of settling her parents' estate. While dealing with the monumental task of cleaning out their 23…
Dec 03, 2018movar rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Every woman should read this book to know what to expect! for herself and the rest of the family. Reality can be hard to stomach and even harder to face. Emotions and "stuff" to clear in a big house full of furniture too massive for…
Oct 08, 2018julia_sedai rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Very interesting story about the author's parents and their relationships with each other and their children. It made me cry a few times. It makes me realize my life is pretty boring. At 26 their dad was in the British Navy and…
Sep 03, 2018altybiz rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The Canadian author, Plum Johnson, cited a true history of her parents and siblings that was unique. They lived in a 23-room house and when her mother finally followed her father in death, it was Plum's self selected job to clean the…
Feb 13, 20180Charlie rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Having reached a certain age, this story resonated with me as my family prepares themselves for the inevitable loss of our aging parents. The claiming and clearing of the family "heirlooms" can be a difficult and contentious process for…
Jan 24, 2018
I found this book quite disturbing. Plum seems totally enamoured with her father who was a cruel and horrible man. The first chapter held so much promise but from there on it was such a sad story of a dysfunctional family that I wonder…
Oct 31, 2017
After 20 years of caring for her elderly parents, the author feels only frustration and resentment. Although her brothers have helped, they haven't been there for the day-to-day slog. Her father died a few years earlier with Alzheimer's…
Oct 12, 2017
familiar with oakville ontario so trying to place house. good book, read it in 2 days. liked the history of the home and how much work it was to clear to sell. would recommend to read!
Jul 17, 2017
A very pleasant and thoughtful read. Anyone would enjoy this memoir but if you are in your Golden years or are taking care of someone in their Golden years, you will really relate to and enjoy this. It is a wonderful combination of funny,…
Mar 05, 2017daysleeper236 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A poignant, beautifully-written memoir.
sydniec
Jan 20, 2017sydniec rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
a touching story set in Oakville, about an old house and the family that loved it. the title reflexs the realization that comes towards the end of the book
Oct 12, 2016haileyj rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book because I am presently going through a very similar situation and so many of the incidents described are spot on. I gave it to my 95 year old mother to read and she enjoyed it too just because it is so topical. A good…
JudeLee
Oct 04, 2016JudeLee rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I loved, loved this book. It made me laugh and cry. The story was so believable and spoke to me. Her writing was superb. It gets my vote for the Evergreen Award.
Sep 06, 2016TheresaAJ rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
After 20 years of caring for her elderly parents, the author feels only frustration and resentment. Although her brothers have helped, they haven't been there for the day-to-day slog. Her father died a few years earlier with Alzheimer's…
Aug 01, 2016empbee rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A very well written serious, funny, touching, practical and educational memoir.
Jan 13, 2016claire1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
very emotional book about parents not having a will and children having to go thru belongings
dairyqueen
Dec 22, 2015dairyqueen rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is both funny and sad. I also enjoyed the stories within the story.
Dec 18, 2015ehbooklover rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 stars. A heart-warming and emotional memoir that explores themes of grief, loss, and family. My favourite part was the descriptive writing, especially with regards to the family home, which is so well described that it seems to have…
Nov 16, 2015gingerbeer rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This memoir is funny, sad, sweet and heart-breaking. It deals with family, memories, loss and letting go in a way that anyone who has packed up the possessions of a parent can relate to.
Nov 04, 2015thebritlass rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Absorbing in its own right, this book is especially poignant for those of us with aging (or deceased) parents.
bibliotechnocrat
Sep 23, 2015bibliotechnocrat rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The Depression generation can't throw anything away, and this is nowhere more evident than in this memoir centred around the inheritance of an enormous family home filled with detritus and memories. The daunting task of dealing with the…
Sep 11, 2015patcumming rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
After the death of her mother, Plum Johnson empties her parents' home. In the process, she reflects on family relationships, her mother's life and the challenges of elder care.