'A beautifully written book...Essential reading' John Humphrys

'Carol Lee is a courageous writer. This book is both tender and tough-minded in its record of one woman's day by day journey through a universal experience' Maggie Gee

In a candid portrayal of the last years of her parents' lives, Carol Lee confronts the sense of loss - and longing - at the heart of her family, and perhaps all families.

They have often lived separately - in the UK, Africa, Egypt and the Middle East, her father's sudden illness and her mother's gradual memory loss bringing them together. Returning with her brother as adult 'children' - roles and boundaries between all of them changed - guilt and anger play their part in the two and a half years which follow. But Carol finds delight, too, in stories of her mother practising tango in the tiny kitchen of her childhood home, and she is humbled by her father's courage.

Snowbound winters, beach walks in Wales and African times are captured in this account of the turmoil of long-distance care. Along the road back to a parent's house, matters of memory, identity, grief - and renewal - are woven through four people's lives to reveal a rich legacy from the past.

The beautifully measured account of a woman's return to care for her ageing parents, unearthing old memories and new possibilities.

About the Author
Carol Lee is the author of eight previous books, including To Die For, a top ten bestseller, and Crooked Angels. Born in Wales, Carol spent much of her childhood in East Africa before returning to the UK to begin an early career in journalism. Working in national newspapers, radio and television, she has been a reporter for the BBC, and a contributor to the Observer, the Guardian, the Independent, the Sunday Times and the Evening Standard. Her play, Feet First, was performed at the King's Head Theatre, Islington, not far from her London home.

Reviews
Carol Lee is a courageous writer. This book is both tender and tough-minded in its record of one woman's day by day journey through a universal experience. -- Maggie Gee
A beautifully written book...Essential reading. -- John Humphrys



Book Information
ISBN 9781444759761
Author Carol Lee
Format Hardback
Page Count 416
Imprint Hodder & Stoughton
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 548g
Dimensions(mm) 221mm * 141mm * 40mm