Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?

Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? was the best book I've read in a while, but it was difficult. Scott bought it several months ago and I've been meaning to read it ever since then. The topic is starting to get close to home, with aging relatives in both our families and the geographic, financial, psychological, and emotional issues that come along with that.

Being the person responsible for aging and difficult parents sounds terrifying. Maybe Roz Chast decided (or agreed) to present the narrative this way, but she seemed to have no support from her husband or family or friends. Her parents had enough money for the extensive care they needed, but even paid help 24 hours a day wasn‰ЫЄt enough to ease Roz's anxiety and guilt. Maybe she did have more help than she portrayed in the book. Maybe she didn't allow anyone to help her. Maybe your emotional health seems unimportant when you take responsibility for the people who raised you. I don't know.

(Originally published in my weekly newsletter, All This Reading, with some differences.)