“In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss” is author Amy Bloom’s recounting of her life with her husband, Brian, and how they faced his death together. After struggling with progressively declining mental acuity, Brian was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Confronted by this stark future, Brian chose to end his life on his own terms through assisted suicide. “In Love” touches on how Amy and Brian fell in love late in life, found joy with each other, and, ultimately, looked at end-of-life decisions together.
Many of us tend to steer clear of planning for end-of-life events; talking about death or life-changing medical conditions can feel almost taboo. We put off writing wills, making plans for long-term care and deciding on funeral arrangements until it’s too late for us to have a say.
As Brian’s memory quickly deteriorated, and Amy and Brian’s workarounds kept failing, Brain decided he’d rather actively choose his time of death than linger on in the care of others as his Alzheimer’s progressed.
Amy and Brian’s story is sweet and encouraging; thoughtful and moving. End-of-life decisions are personal and occasionally controversial. Amy and Brian’s choices are not something all readers will agree with – just as many of their friends and family members did not – but they are vitally important decisions for us to face and consider. “In Love” provides us with a real-life example to ponder and discuss.
“In Love” should appeal to readers of memoirs, stories about loss, grief and mourning, and those wanting to think more on end-of-life decisions. Visit wcls.org to find “In Love” and other similarly themed stories.
“In Love” is the September selection for the Books and Bites book group. Join Books and Bites at the Blaine Library at 1 p.m. Friday, September 20 for a time of community and lively conversation. For more information, visit bit.ly/3XGbLjl.
Jonathan Jakobitz is an avid reader and the branch manager of Blaine Public Library.
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