The Middle Place, Kelly Corrigan’s memoir of being forced to “grow up” when both her father and she are diagnosed with cancer, will be released by Voice in paperback on December 23. Here’s the publisher’s synopsis:
For Kelly Corrigan, family is everything. At thirty-six, she had a marriage that worked, two funny, active kids, and a weekly newspaper column. But even as a thriving adult, Kelly still saw herself as the daughter of garrulous Irish-American charmer George Corrigan. She was living deep within what she calls the Middle Place–”that sliver of time when parenthood and childhood overlap”–comfortably wedged between her adult duties and her parents’ care. But Kelly is abruptly shoved into coming-of-age when she finds a lump in her breast–and gets the diagnosis no one wants to hear. When George, too, learns that he has late-stage cancer, it is Kelly’s turn to take care of the man who had always taken care of her–and to show us a woman who finally takes the leap and grows up.
The memoir talks about the importance of family, and includes the full text from the following heartfelt toast to the importance of friends. Grab a tissue (or several!) and enjoy:
This sounds like a good one Dawn. I like the thought of a Middle place before we transition onto our own life, even while we are out on our own. I will have to get my box of tissues ready.
Wow, this sounds so good! I’ve added it to my list.
This sounds sad … maybe a little too sad for me …
Toni – I’ve seen many of my friends being “sandwiched”, caring for their parents and their children. I can’t imagine handling my own major illness at the same time.
Alyce – Two finds from my blog, I’m flattered!
Shana – I haven’t read the book (I’m sure I’ll need tissues for that, too!), but Corrigan sure is resilient! Did you watch the video, and all the friends she lauded?
I loved this book.
[...] received a copy of Kelly Corrigan’s memoir The Middle Place. If you haven’t yet read this post, grab a tissue and click over [...]
I can’t wait to read this book! I am in that
sandwich generation at the moment… worrying
about the teenagers and young adults– and also starting
to see that the parents and in- laws need more help and support
in their late 70’s and 80’s…
Did you ever get a chance to read The Middle Place? My sister just loaned it to me and I read it and thought of you. If you haven’t had a chance to get to it, I think you’d really like it, especially since you’re a mom and I think probably around her age. I would not, however, recommend reading it in a crowded airport like I did…I’m sure some people who saw me bawling just thought I was a nutcase!
cali – glad to get your thumbs up on it!
sherry – my kids are still younger (the eldest almost a teen, and the youngest in preschool), but there are worries at all ages, aren’t there?!?
Erin – my neighborhood book group will be discussing THE MIDDLE PLACE next week. I better get reading!