Eric Rill

An Absent Mind begins as Saul, a conventional professional man, gives a drily humorous account of leaving the house one day without his trousers and his subsequent diagnosis with Alzheimer’s.

As the book progresses we also hear from his wife Monique about their more-or-less happy marriage, and from their two children, along with occasional interventions from Saul’s doctor.

The style is conversational, as if the family were participants in a documentary, each recording their own video show more diary, addressing an unspecified listener. There is also, despite the confessional style, the sense that they may be holding something back, or showing themselves in a good light, as they contradict one another. Inevitably Saul’s contributions becomes less vivid and coherent until he is finally unable to speak at all.

There are no great events or stunning twists in this story. There is just the relentless progression of Saul’s illness and the shifting dynamics in his family. It is a subtle and absorbing read.
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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. show less

I have to say, I really loved this book. I work in geriatrics with people of various stages of dementia, and I cannot say how accurate this portrayal is of a family dealing with the course of Alzheimer's. I have seen every person represented in this book...the person tragically suffering the disease, the devoted spouse going through the disease along side of their partner as well as the detached child that rarely comes in to the devoted child doing what little bit they can to make their show more parent's life more bearable. What was especially good about this book was the narration by the 'doctor' explaining biologically what is happening to the Alzheimer's patient.
What a great novel for anyone going through this, about to go through this, working with people who go through this, or just the curious. show less

I know I am very fortunate to know anyone personally with Alzheimer disease. This author though definitely knows what he is talking about as he watched his fathers downward spiral for eight years.

This is narrated by Saul, seventy, who is diagnosed with the disease, his wife of many years who wants to keep him home as long as possible. His grown son, who is not able to forget what he considers his cold upbringing and his sister, Florence who he thought was always the favorite. Also by the show more doctor who explains how he makes his diagnosis and exactly what is happening to Saul at various stages.

A good hard look at how this disease affects the whole family, told in entries almost like a diary or journal. Parts were funny, Saul does and thinks some amusing things. Poignant, as his wife, Monique is his main caregiver and one sees the extreme stress this causes her. I felt it was told in a distant, somewhat unemotional way but I preferred this. What the characters are going through is heartbreaking enough, I think the distance lets us fill in our own emotions.

Well done, I thought providing a clear understanding of just how hard this disease is on families and the patient themselves. show less

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally. Walking on Trampolines is a lovely book. It is very much a familiar book of domestic fiction about family, friends and relationships but it is particularly well done. The writing is very good. Some of the characters are very interesting and sympathetic despite their flaws -- the main character Lulu's mother and boss in particular. And the evolution of Lulu's character -- although predictable -- is very engaging. I must show more admit that I shed a few tears along the way and definitely had trouble keeping my nose out of this book. It also made me think that this book falls within a genre that a few Australian authors seem to be particularly good at -- Liane Moriarty and Monica McInerney for example. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good cosy -- sometimes sad but heart warming -- story from time to time. I would be happy to read the author's next book. show less