Making Toast, a new memoir by author, journalist, and playwright Roger Rosenblatt, is a somber account of life after the loss of a grown daughter. The author’s daughter, a wife, doctor, and mother of three children, dies suddenly in December 2007 of a rare and undiagnosed heart condition.
There is no other thing to do but go and be there….and that’s just what Roger and Ginny, his wife and mother of the lost-too-soon daughter, do. They pack up their life and travel to move in with the sorrowful widower and his three children.
The author is lovingly donned “Boppo” by his grandkids. He’s lovable, entertaining, and a terrific diversion for them during this horrific time. When the kids ask how long they’re going to stay, Boppo replies, “Forever.”
Boppo’s pride and top achievement is knowing exactly how each child likes their morning toast….and making it perfectly for them all each and every morning. It’s this common, everyday occurrence and task that speaks the theme of this whole book: Death happens, but life still goes on. Even after a loved one is lost, there are still others left behind that must go on living (and be dutifully cared for). It is in completing these daily, required household tasks that the author and the family finds solace….until they are better at grips with the sadness they’ve been slammed with, and more able to grieve and deal with their loss.
I enjoyed the way this memoir was written. Instead of regular chapters and unbroken paragraphs, it is written in small snippets….memories of the past interspersed with small happenings (significant and insignificant) of the current day. The glimpses and reflections bounce between sentimental, frustrated, trying, and hopeful.
The author’s anger and resentment, and subsequent questioning of why God would let this happen to such a wonderful person and family, clouded this book for me at times. I felt that, despite all of the questions and ponderings, he was still left with empty reserves and no real answers….and stubborn self-reliance.
Yet, overall, I still found it a raw and heartfelt account from a real-life Dad. The way he remembers tiny, minute details about his beloved daughter is overwhelming. One could only hope to be remembered so well by those who love them most.
Then a call near the end to all of us who read it: To remember to tell those we love that we love them….because we never know when “too late” will be.
Though this wasn’t a walk in the park to read through, this book had such beauty and prose that I found it hard to put down.
You can purchase Making Toast for $21.99 via HarperCollins or wherever your favorite books are sold.
Win it! Thanks to HarperCollins, one of you will win a copy of Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt.
Here’s what you need to do:
1) Comment below with another HarperCollins title you’re itching to read
2) For an extra entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber
3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below!
I’ll close the contest next Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 11pm EST. Sorry; US entries only. Good luck!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Congrats to commenter # 22, Cindy, the winner of this contest!
FTC info — Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes; however, my review was honest and my opinions are my own. I only received the product itself; I received no other monetary compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Alva Svoboda (1 year ago)
I’m itching to read Patti Smith’s Just Kids…
Alva Svoboda (1 year ago)
And I’m a new subscriber…
Brianna Soloski (1 year ago)
I am dying to read Pulitzer by James McGrath Morris.
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New subscriber via Google Reader.
Brianna Soloski (1 year ago)
Sent a Facebook friend request!
Sara (1 year ago)
Hey! Me, too! I’ve been wanting to get Pulitzer by James McGrath Morris. Small world, great minds
I heard Rosenblatt on NPR earlier this week, I had to pull over into a parking lot until the tears dried up. Very moving interview.
Sara (1 year ago)
I’m a new subscriber.
Rachel C (1 year ago)
“Bible Babel” looks like an interesting read.
renee (1 year ago)
I think If You Have to Cry, Go Outside
By Kelly Cutrone, Meredith Bryan sounds interesting.
Emily (1 year ago)
I’d love to read Super Freakonomics! I just haven’t been able to find the time.
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Avitar!
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I’m a subscriber!
Krista W (1 year ago)
I would like to read Italian Holiday Cooking
By Michele Scicolone
I bet there are some Yummy recipe’s in there!
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New Subscriber!
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Morgan (1 year ago)
I would really like to read Sara Palin’s new book, Going Rouge. This is a great giveaway – thanks!
momov@carolina.rr.com
Bebemiqui (1 year ago)
I want to read “Pulitzer” by Morris.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
www.fromdiaperstodorms.com (1 year ago)
Thanks for the chance to win. I’d also love to read Among The Great Apes put out by HCollins.
Winning Readings (1 year ago)
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/02/making-toast.html
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
I’d love to read The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
phxbne (1 year ago)
A River in the Sky
By Elizabeth Peters
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feed subscriber
cindy (1 year ago)
Fatally Flaky by Diane mott Davidson. I love her charcter Goldy.
Wendy (1 year ago)
If Church were Christian caught my eye.
karenk (1 year ago)
would like to read ‘the pact’ by jodi picoult.
karenk (1 year ago)
i’m a subscriber
abi (1 year ago)
I’d love to read the cougar club.
Benita (1 year ago)
I’m itching to read Brava, Valentine.
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Marci (1 year ago)
I’m itching to read Agathie Christie’s Secret Notebooks, by John Carran.
Madonna (1 year ago)
I would like to read Fatally Flaky. I have been buying that whole series as I find it at yard sales or used book stores.
Madonna (1 year ago)
I sent a friends request on facebook.