Emily’s father, Dr Kirkland, a former GP, who is much respected and regarded in his local community is suffering from Alzheimers and is deteriorating right in front of his daughter’s eyes. Emily and her family had had a rather detached relationship yet when Emily visits him all the way from England she realises the extent of what is happening and wants to help him stay in his own home and take care of him.
This is at times so hard to read and so raw yet, really gave me an insight into how Alzheimers affects people; the good days they have, the bad and how they help themselves to remember things. The impact this has on their families and how those around them can offer support and often their time to watch and to distract, or just to offer company. It’s handled very sensitively and very well. Emily cherishes her father’s good days and learns how to talk to him and manage his episodes. The bond between them grows and grows and is so heart-warming to read.
I loved the setting and feel as if I saw some of the scenery for myself, the area the book is set in New Zealand sounds stunning and is captured so beautifully for us to appreciate on the pages.
Yet, tragedy struck the small New Zealand community 25 years ago when one of Emily’s neighbours vanishes; a woman of a similar age and someone she had grown up with; the search for Leah has never stopped and that feeling of never finding closure her family suffers from is so apparent. We follow the local press trying to uncover things to jog people’s memories on the 25th anniversary, in the hope of providing some information for Leah’s mother and brother who have never lost hope. I loved looking for clues and trying to uncover what may have happened to Leah; a real mystery we want to solve.
This is the most beautiful and moving book I have read for a long time. The feelings Emily has are so carefully and delicately exposed, laid bare for us to read, and digest. You can’t fail to well up at several points in the book but, that is the genius of it, it all feels so very real. Completely mesmerising and so very special this is an exceptional book.