El club de lectura del final de tu vida (The End of Your Life Book Club)

Escrito por Will Schwalbe

Narrado por Sergio Alberto Bustos de la Tijera

¿Qué estás leyendo? Ésa es la pregunta que le plantea Will Schwalbe a su madre, Mary Ann, mientras están sentados en la sala de espera del centro de atención a pacientes de cáncer del hospital Memorial Sloan-Kettering. En 2007, Mary Ann regresó de un viaje de ayuda humanitaria a Pakistán y Afganistán aquejada de lo que los médicos creyeron que era una clase de hepatitis muy poco común. Meses después le diagnosticaron un cáncer de páncreas en estado avanzado. Will y Mary Anne comparten sus esperanzas e inquietudes a través de sus libros preferidos. Cuando leen, no son una persona enferma y una persona sana, sino una madre y un hijo que viajan juntos.

• Idioma: Español
• Editorial: BookaVivo
• Fecha de lanzamiento: 22 jun 2022
• ISBN: 9781638116028

Comentarios para El club de lectura del final de tu vida (The End of Your Life Book Club)

[castlelass · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Will Schwalbe has written a touching tribute to his mother, Mary Anne Schwalbe. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007. Will accompanied her to appointments and chemotherapy sessions. They were both readers, so during this time, they discussed books. Eventually, this evolved into a two-person “book club” and they started to intentionally read and discuss a particular book. I enjoyed their discussions and observations about life in general. His mother sounds like a lovely, altruistic, compassionate person. A story of a dying mother is, of course, very sad, so make sure you are in the right head space if you decide to read it.

[elkiedee · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

In 2007, Will Schwalbe's beloved mother was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, and further tests soon showed that it was "treatable but not curable". This is a moving memoir of how a mother and son who love books use shared reading experiences as a way of dealing with this terrible situation, and the impact of this on their relationship.I was nervous of reading it precisely because it's quite close to home. I would recommend it because it is as much a story of the life of a really interesting woman, and of her relationship with her adult son, as it is about death.Also, it's about books, reading them and talking about them, what's not to love about such a book? Schwalbe himself writes that like any bookclub, he and his mum discussed the books they shared in different levels of detail, and sometimes the conversation shifted away from the book entirely.The End of Your Life Book Club didn't necessarily make me want to try all the books discussed, but it is a very moving memoir, and I think the "end of your life bookclub" might well be an idea that others who have a life limiting or condition, or who love someone who does, could borrow.All the books Will Schwalbe and his mother read and discussed for the bookclub are listed in an appendix at the end.Received through the Amazon Vine programme and reviewed on 21 March 2013.

[annbury_1 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

The premise of this book drew me instantly -- a book-loving son and his book-loving mother share her journey towards death, and share books all along the way. There is indeed a lot of good talk about books, some of which I love and some of which I will add to my "to read" list. But the talk about the mother's illness and impending death is less insightful and affecting than I had hoped. The characters are extraordinarily blessed, financially and socially and in terms of a remarkably close and loving family. This puts a distance between them and the experience of ordinary people with ordinary complicated relationships. And the mother is saintly -- non-complaining, non-angry, non-depressed, unlike the people I have known who were dying. There is little real revelation of how she felt about her impending death, which is something I wanted to know. Worth reading, but not what it could have been.

[hardlyhardy · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Everyone's mother dies, so why does the death of Will Schwalbe's mother rate a book? The answer is not just that Mary Anne Schwalbe was a remarkable woman, but that mother and son spent so much time over the last months of her life in doctors' waiting rooms, in cancer centers, in hospitals and in hospice care talking about books. Will Schwalbe tells about the experience — and his mother — in “The End of Your Life Book Club” (2012).Theirs had always been a reading family, but like most people, each read their own books according to their own taste. After the cancer diagnosis, Will and his mother decide to read the same books and then talk about them during those hours spent together. The books they talked about so often opened doors to personal topics that otherwise might never have been spoken about.Each chapter of the book is named for one of the books they discussed during that period. Talking about “The Painted Veil,” they branch off into a discussion of courage. “Murder in the Cathedral” leads naturally into frank talk about facing death head-on. Everyone talks about the importance of first impressions, but the novel “Brooklyn” mentions the importance of last impressions, a good topic for a dying woman and her son to talk about.Readers will come to love Mary Anne Schwalbe as her son did. She's a woman of remarkable faith, remarkable concern for others and remarkable ambition to make a difference in the world, not just in the United States but as far away as Afghanistan, where she visited many times. Even close to death, she worked for others as long as her strength held out. Yet she always found time to read, and she always understood the importance of talking to someone about what she read.

[carriewuj · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

Memoir of Will Scwalbe's last year or so with his mother after her pancreatic cancer diagnosis. It is rich in detail about the books they read together and discussed during her chemo sessions -- and a testament to their beautiful relationship, not to mention his mother's impressive life. When my time comes, I definitely want to go out reading! Includes complete list of books/authors in an appendix

[geoffsc-1 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

A unique, intimate and personal biography of Will and his amazing mother, Mary Ann, as they travel from her cancer diagnosis, treatment, trials, and to her death. Along the way they read and discuss many interesting books, not in great depth, but enough to give you an idea if you want to read it.
The mother son relationship is explored by their reading and discussions, covering many areas of life.
Mary Ann had a tremendously fulfilling life, achieving so much in helping those in need.
One standout passage for me was when he was discussing The Etiquette of Illness, by Susan Halpern:
[Halpern wants the reader to think about the difference between asking "How are you feeling?" and "Do you want me to ask how you're feeling?" Even if it’s your mother whom you’re questioning, the first approach is more intrusive, insistent, demanding. The second is much gentler and allows the person simply to say no on those days when she’s doing well and doesn’t want to be the “sick person,” or is doing badly but wants a distraction, or has simply answered the question too many times that day to want to answer it again, even to someone as close as a son.]

[pdcread · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Will Schwalbe has managed to write a book that not only commemorates his late mothers life, but celebrates it as well. Following her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, they start an informal book club together, hence the title. Throughout the book they read and discuss a large number of books as her treatments take place and her health deteriorates over a couple of years.

Mary Ann Schwalbe comes across as a remarkable woman; she spent time in Afghanistan and Thailand working with refugees and vulnerable people who society had abandoned and sought to bring them small simple pleasures. Not only does she has a big, generous heart, she has insight, sharp political nous and compassion. Whilst the ending is ultimately known, and expected, the way that she grabs hold of life is inspiring. Through the book the pancreatic cancer advances and retreats and she accepts the necessary pain and steady deterioration in health with humility and decorum. She also realises her privileged position, and seeks a political solution to the lack of heath care to these at the very bottom of the American health care system.

Schwalbe wears his emotions on his sleeve. And that is understandable, it is his mother after all. The books that they read together act as a comfort blanket at times; sometimes as a prism revealing their anxieties and fears, and sometimes as a mirror that shows things as they are. The book is punctuated with passages and quotes that has significance at that time. What Mary Ann Schwalbe leaves is a legacy of an immensely strong family unit and she shows an ability to look beyond where you are. The books that her and Will read add punctuation and relief to the end of her life.

[nwieme-1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Moving.

[cherybear · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

The author and his mother discuss books over the course of her treatment for pancreatic cancer. Mary Anne Schwalbe was obviously an amazing woman and humanitarian who didn't let her terminal diagnosis keep her from caring about others. As she and her son Will discuss books, she is also sharing insights into her life, and her thoughts about death. An amazing book and journey.

[beth.clarke · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

I really enjoyed the relaxed story telling and the relationship of Will Schwalbe and his mother. I loved her outlook on life and found the story quite inspiring.

[readingover50 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

I have to say, this is an amazing book and one of my favorite boos ever. It is a bittersweet story of a man and his mother, as she is treated for pancreatic cancer. To get through the endless hours of treatment, they form a 2 person book club and together read and discuss books up to the end of her life. Having experienced going through chemo with my daughter and the hours spent in the hospital, I felt the passages about her treatment were totally relatable and honest.

We also learn about his mother, Mary Anne, and her remarkable life. She has indeed lived a life full of compassion and service to others, and has met many amazing people during her journeys.

I would recommend this book to anybody.

[nx74defiant · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Enjoyed. Mother and son discuss books as they face her terminal cancer.

[formerenglishteacher · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

I’m a sucker for books about books, so this fit the bill nicely. Albeit sad because of the obvious outcome, the book is a tribute to the author’s incredible mother who accomplished more in one lifetime than most groups of people accomplish. Schwalbe’s pride in his mohter permeates every page. As you might gather fromm the book’s title, Schwalbe and his mohter make up a two-person book club, and much of the book is their discussions about the many books they read toward the end of her life. Having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the reader knows she won’t live long, but she lives longer than most with this dreadful disease. Schwalbe and his mohter use her chemo treatments as time for their “club” to come to order. The list of books they read, some well known to me and others not, is worth the price of admission along. Schwalbe lists all of them in an appendix at the end of the book. If you love books, you’ll loe this book even with its sad ending.

[kimmeyer-1 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This has been on my shelf for YEARS until I recently listened to it on audio. 1/3 book discussion and 2/3 cancer memoir, Will Schwalbe really paints a vivid portrait of his mother, who seems like an incredible woman. This one lacks the sadness that may be too much for some readers. It's really a celebration of her life and love of people and books.

[justagirlwithabook · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

I initially rated this book a little lower because there were moments of slowness, but this book ultimately brought me and a few dear friends close together as we read this book for our own sort of book club. One particular friend read this shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer for the second time, and we were often able to refer to parts of this book to connect with our own lives and with one another. Any book that can change the way you talk about life and connect with another individual is worth all the praise.

[debbiesbooknook · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

The End of Your Life Book Club, is a phenomenal and touching memoir. My family and friends all know books are an essential part of my life. As a kid, nothing made me happier than when the RIF (Reading is Fundamental) organization came by my school to distribute free books. As I read this moving memoir, I instantly connected with the author and his mother – especially because of their love of literature and books. Books bring me tremendous joy (even though some stories can be sad or difficult), awareness, knowledge, serenity and yes—sanity. In a nutshell, The End of Your Life Book Club is about a son, his seriously ill mother (Mary Anne Schwalbe) and their grandiose love of books. Mary Anne, an incredible woman, humanitarian and lifelong reader is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and she and Will decide to start a two-person book club. Interestingly, the club meets, trades books, memories and stories during Mary Anne’s chemo sessions. I thought I read a lot, but these two are the gold Olympians of reading! Over 50 books/authors are mentioned in this book (I’m not kidding) and don’t worry they are all listed at the end of the book.

I absolutely identified with Will and Mary Anne’s love of books. Like them, I believe books have the power of connecting human beings on a deep and meaningful way. I also enjoyed Will’s humor and wit and look forward to reading his new book, Books for Living.

[pamv-1 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This was a memoir. Will Schwalbe wrote his story about his experience with his mother. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

He and his mother had always loved to read, so it seemed natural that they would begin reading and discussing the same books. They started their book discussions during her chemo treatments. While this book is not filled with indepth book discussions it does have many snipets of those conversations, which tends to be just perfect. Those snipet of conversations opens the door to his childhood memories of his mother and family.

In between the chemo treatment/book club meetings we hear about a mother, grandmother, wife, sister, friend, humanitarian in a most delightful way. Mary Anne Schwalbe was a woman that loved and was loved.

I liked that Mr. Schwalbe started this book by saying that he did not intend to write a book. He did not take notes and this is a book of his best recollection of conversations and milestones of his life with his mother.

It is a fantastic story that I would recommend to anyone.

[subrbnmom · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This book came to me at the right time. I read Will Schwalbe's second book of this type first, and was delighted when I saw it at the North Castle Library. Just about the time I finished it I was getting ready for our 2d Jaime's Lilac Foundation Formal Event. My mom was coming to the event and I was thinking about how quickly time has passed since Jaime died and how in much that same time, my mother has survived two bouts with lymphatic cancer. Will and his mothers journey through her cancer treatment, reflecting on both their lives, navigating this new relationship where illness has changed all the roles,and facing a future without her, really touched me.I also love books about books. There's nothing more wonderful than finding something new to read, or recognizing an old friend on someone elses shelf.

[bostonterrio-1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

Rarely has a book had such a profound effect on me as this one. I selected it as part of a reading challenge. This was my choice for a book about books. I knew it was a risky read for me as my own mom had passed away from Pancreatic Cancer same as the author's. I love the bond of reading that Will and his mom share. It made me long to have someone close to me to share my own love of reading with. Few if any of my children have followed in my footsteps when it comes to a love of books. Perhaps one of my grandchildren will pick up the slack. This was way more than an end of your life book club. It discussed and explored Mary Anne's entire life. It pulled me in and implored for me to become more knowledgeable about the areas of the world that she traveled to. I know I will be delving more into those areas because her passion has ignited a spark in me. Over the past several years my reading standards have lowered and I found myself reading lots of books that while entertaining really did not fuel my desire to acquire more knowledge. This book has changed that. I highly recommend reading it.
Of course the downside of this book is that the ending is obvious but it comforted me to know that she passed with much dignity and grace as one can. Trust me you will need tissues for it!

[kimkimkim-7 · Calificación: 2 de 5 estrellas]

This book was well written and an obvious tribute to a mother who was loved and admired. However I found myself bored and forcing myself to pick it up and continue reading which is never a good thing when reading for pleasure. I chose to put it down unfinished.

[mirrani_1 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

As a reader of course I devoured this book for all of the book titles that were mentioned in its pages, but I also couldn't put this down because of the story it told. The author's mother has terminal cancer and decides to go through treatment for as long as it makes sense to. Together mother and son go to appointment after appointment and visit with each other, sharing their favorite books. They make a book club for two out of it, swapping titles back and forth and sharing how they feel about each one.There were some wonderful works mentioned here, which I have put on my own reading list, but it was the story of family and togetherness that touched me when reading this. This is yet another of those books that I have on my list of those I recommend to everyone.

[janismack · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This was a memoir of a son's experience with the cancer treatment for his mother. They decided to form a bookclub to talk about and read books during her treatment. It was interesting to hear their comments about certain books I'd read and appreciated knowing about books I haven't yet read. The heroine of the story was a remarkable woman and I can understand why her son would want to write about it.

[ecataldi-1 · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

A moving memoir about a two person book club that is formed when a son's mother is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. To pass the time during chemo they form a bond reading literary novels both modern and classic, the novels help open up discussion about his mom's childhood, spirituality, world issues, and more. Inspiring and sure to give readers a longer reading list, this book will remind you to have those talks with loved ones, treat others with respect, and make the world a better place. Told from the son's perspective, he is candid and honest about his relationship with his mother, his fears, and overprotectiveness. His mother was a very awe inspiring person who led a rich life helping those less fortunate than herself and her son does a great job keeping her memory alive with this memoir.

[pennylane78 · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

I have tried to read this book several times. I finally ended up listening to it at work. This is a heart-felt memoir of a son coping with his mother's diagnosis with cancer and the book club they end up forming while going to chemotherapy and doctor appointments. Schwalbe talks a lot about his coming to terms with his mother's cancer and her coming death. He mixes this in a little heavily with the talk of the books they read together. Sometimes he would pick them, sometimes she would, sometimes the choices were made together. I think the reason I had such a hard time getting started with this book, is that when I read it on my own, I would stop and read a book they read. Which made it hard to make any progress. I listened to this at work, and it made it easier, I wasn't tempted to stop during the middle of reading to read a discussed book, instead, I would pause and write down the books I found interesting. Will's mother, Mary Ann, had an extraordinary life and I was just as fascinated by her story as I was about the books mentioned.

There are a few topics they discusses that left me thinking long after I read the book. The first idea was that technically, we are all in the end of our lives book club. The book we're currently reading could very well be our last. This was a shocking statement to me, but at the same time, made me very grateful for all the books I have read, all the friends I've made over the love of books and who suggest and lend books. It also made me think about all of the books I want to read and those that I will never get around to reading.

The second idea that struck me was that this mother and son would talk about their favorite fictional places down to the minute details. If they liked a particular house or apartment a character lived in, they would discuss which of them would live in it. Who would live down the street, how long it would take for a friend to come over, what the furniture would look like, etc. It made me want to have that type of discussion the next time I get together with friends. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It gave me a lot to think about.

[debs4jc · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

The author reflects on his relationship with his mother, particularly as she was undergoing treatments for cancer during the last years of her life. Their relationship was often centered around books and he discusses the books that they read together and how they helped them talk about some of the tougher issues of life.This was an OK read, not outstanding to me. Book lovers will definitely relate to it more than npn-book lovers.

[yvonne.sevignykaiser · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

Read for my neighborhood book group. Book about the authors time with his mother as she battles Pancreatic Cancer as they discuss a variety of books. The time they have together the spend reading and sharing a variety of books while learning more about one another. Not just a story about impending death but a celebration of life through books.

[casualfriday_1 · Calificación: 3 de 5 estrellas]

When Mary Anne Schwalbe was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she and her son Will started an impromptu "book club." The reader learns a little about the many books they read together, and a lot about Mary Anne and her humanitarian endeavors throughout the world. She seems like she was a remarkable woman, given the caveat that we learn about her through her son's naturally idealized viewpoint.It was a little hard for me to relate to a family that was so clearly economically privileged, but it was still an enjoyable book. Mary Anne seemed like she had more money and heart than intellect, because some of her insights seemed pedestrian (to my ear, which is tone-deaf on matters "inspirational" and "wise"). But of course the any reader will appreciate the long list of books they will want to read. Mary Anne's taste was varied and surprisingly middlebrow, so few of the books discussed sound intellectually daunting to read. Our book club agreed that the list of books read was the most valuable part of the book.

[terris-7 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

This is a wonderful (nonfiction) book about the relationship between Will Schwalbe and his mother as she goes through a diagnosis of cancer, chemotherapy treatments, and dealing with her upcoming death. Through it all they read through many books and discuss them, and as they do, they come to know each other better. It is so interesting to see which books they read and discuss (many I had read, but several I had never heard of!). But it is also so enjoyable to learn about this amazing woman, her accomplishments, her love for others, and her joy for life. An amazing and inspiring story, and I highly recommend it!!

[rgustafson_12 · Calificación: 5 de 5 estrellas]

I'm so happy I picked up this book when I did. It came to me at just the right time. My dear Auntie Prudie passed it on to me on a recent visit. We have shared a life long love of books and talking about books. In fact, I give her credit for making me a reader. So many of the books referenced in Will Schwalbe's book are titles we've shared. I just can't get over it. I am so thankful for this book. And I am truly inspired by the life of Mary Ann Schwalbe and this beautiful book by her son.

[wvlibrarydude · Calificación: 4 de 5 estrellas]

This wasn't a depressing book at all. A good read for anyone who loves books and the joy you can have sharing that love with someone else.

There are difficult sections that the author shares about abuse that his mother witnessed in her work with refugee camps, but I don't think those sections take away the positive message the author tries to share. I think he shared more than he may have wanted in regards to his relationship with his mother. I do feel he painted her in a glowing light that may shine a little bright, but who wouldn't do so for a parent they love.

The one thing in the book that struck me was the lack of his father's presence throughout the book. Sister and brother made small appearances, but it seemed more about his fixation on himself and his mother.

This sounds negative now that I write it, but it really was much more about the books they read and his memory of their discussions. If nothing else, any ""uncommon reader"" will walk away with a longer ""to read"" list.