All Things Consoled
A Daughter's Memoir
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All Things Consoled
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Narrated by:
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Elizabeth Hay
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Written by:
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Elizabeth Hay
About this listen
From Elizabeth Hay, one of Canada's beloved novelists, comes a startling and beautiful memoir about the drama of her parents' end, and the longer drama of being their daughter. Winner of the 2018 Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonficiton.
Jean and Gordon Hay were a colourful, formidable pair. Jean, a late-blooming artist with a marvellous sense of humour, was superlatively frugal; nothing got wasted, not even maggoty soup. Gordon was a proud and ambitious schoolteacher with a terrifying temper, a deep streak of melancholy, and a devotion to flowers, cars, words, and his wife. As old age collides with the tragedy of living too long, these once ferociously independent parents become increasingly dependent on Lizzie, the so-called difficult child. By looking after them in their final decline, she hopes to prove that she can be a good daughter after all.
In this courageous memoir, written with tough-minded candour, tenderness, and wit, Elizabeth Hay lays bare the exquisite agony of a family's dynamics—entrenched favouritism, sibling rivalries, grievances that last for decades, genuine admiration, and enduring love. In the end, she reaches a more complete understanding of the most unforgettable characters she will ever know, the vivid giants in her life who were her parents.
©2018 Elizabeth Hay (P)2018 McClelland & StewartWhat the critics say
"Piercingly candid and exquisitely written, Elizabeth Hay’s memoir describes the intensity of the love, uncertainty and exasperation triggered by her parents’ dying. Yet there is humor here, too, even - especially - after the final good-byes.” (Charlotte Gray, author of The Promise of Canada)
“Elizabeth Hay is a marvel. She honors her parents in this portrait of their final years. As steadfast a daughter as she is a writer, Hay writes with sometimes scalding authenticity about aging and the challenges that come with the end of a life, but she is never less than tender. I loved this moving memoir.” (Michael Redhill, author of Bellevue Square)
What listeners say about All Things Consoled
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Catherine A. Cavanaugh
- 2018-12-16
An unflinching reflection shimmering with love
May’s reflections are deeply personal, unflinching and profoundly moving. Anyone who has ever cared for an aging parent will recognize May’s struggle and its accompanying grace that redeems them all.
I was moved by her reading and felt privileged to enter the intimate world she so thoughtfully and generously recreates.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2018-10-13
This book is one that I'll enjoy more than once.
An absolute gem of a story. I fell in love with the writing, character's and the journey it took me on.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2022-12-18
Delightful
Thank you for this wonderful story of looking after aging parents. I loved it, laughed out loud and cried.
So special.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2019-02-01
loved this audiobook
absolutely loved this book a the authors ability to paint scenes with words a few years, chuckles and ahas
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Maggie
- 2023-02-14
A family story with deepest love!
Elizabeth Hay is a true master of words and storytelling! I have listened to this book many times over the last few years. Every time it moves me just as much as the first time. The trueness and sincerity in the story bring the family complexity in front my eyes like video clips and stir all emotions out me. Thank you Ms. Hay for sharing your story and humanity with the world!
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