Betty Rollin (1936–2023)

In a time when tempers flare over Oregon's assisted-suicide law, and the debate still rages on both sides of the issue regarding Jack Kevorkian's physician-aided 'death with dignity' practice - Betty Rollin's groundbreaking New York Times Bestseller, Last Wish is an intimate, fiercely honest memoir of a daughter's struggle to come to terms with her terminally ill mother Ida's, decision to die. More than a simple examination of the ethical, spiritual, and technical aspects of assisted show more suicide, Last Wish is a celebration of Ms. Rollin's imperfect family, a passionate tribute to Ida's character and courage in the face of adversity, and a compelling argument for the right of the terminally ill to a humane and dignified death.

I must say that while this book certainly is sad, by no means is it written in a morose or depressing way. I found it incredibly poignant and down-to-earth. This family faced an impossible, emotionally grueling situation and dealt with their issues in the most courageous and loving manner possible. I give this book an A+! show less

Life is full of challenges, and author Betty Rollin has faced many. From being fired to divorcing to surviving cancer, Rollin has somehow managed to find the bright side of things and thrive. Through the use of humor and anecdotes, Rollin reveals how one can find the good within the bad.

The Bottom Line: This very quick read is for anyone who has ever found themselves in a dark place and searched for a way out. Rollin writes from experience about emotional recovery and making the most of a show more bad situation. Her writing style is upbeat and easy to read. Recommended reading for anyone facing adversity. show less

I didn't love it but I did find it a worthwhile topic that is as relevant today as it was when it was written.

Rollin writes of her experience with her mother's wish to die. Her mother had ovarian cancer and had reached a point where she did not feel she was living any more. It was time to go. She asked her daughter, in muted terms, to find the way. Betty was careful in her research and in her conversations with her mother. She did not want to push her one way or another, but did want to show more respect her wish. Ultimately, Betty knew that if her mother had the means to end her life that this may be all that she needed; she may not go through with it. But she needed to have that power. I think a lot of us can understand this.

In telling this story Betty also tells us about her mother. She sounds like a generous, deeply caring mother, who served as cheerleader for her precious daughter and ultimately for her daughter's second husband as well. We can feel the love Betty had for her.

I tend to be outside the mainstream in a lot of ways, but I think I'm with it in this one. I suspect most of this country would like to find a way to allow seriously ill persons to leave this earth gracefully.

I'm not so much with the mainstream in a much lesser area that also finds its way into this book. Betty talks about her mother's obsession with healthy foods, and refers to Nathan Pritikin as her god at one point. We are left thinking that Ida Rollin followed Pritikin's recommendations and that the food was sugar-free and generally tasteless. I happen to know what Pritikin has written and it is not what this family ate. He would have frowned on the fish, for example. And if Ida had been following it closely she would not have been fat. I suspect that Ida was following some other guru - maybe that Sugar Addict guy. I know this is a minor point but I feel I must point out that Pritikin offers a healthy, enjoyable way of life that is worth following and that bears no real resemblance to whatever Ida espoused.

Overall, the book covers well a subject that is still worth discussing. show less

Published in 1985, this book reflects the values of the time as it outlilnes the extreme difficulties encountered by one woman in her quest to end a life made unbearable by incurable cancer. Her family seeks help and information in an era where such information was not readily available on the internet and where advocates for assisted suicide were virtually nonexistent. The memoir is compelling and serves as a heartwarming tribute to the strength and character of the author's mother.