Carol's Reviews > Last Things: A Graphic Memoir of Loss and Love

With sincere thanks to Red Wheel Weiser Conari / Hampton Roads, Edelweiss and the author Marcia Moss, who provided this e-galley to be published May, 1, 2017.

Highly Recommended

Last Things: A Graphic Memoir of Loss and Love is an emotionally raw memoir made all the more powerful in graphic design. It would be nice to think that everyone that has a terminal illness dies with bravery, dignity, and understanding, losing the battle after a courageous fight while their loving family is by their side.

I don’t believe it was Marcia Moss’ intent to lessen the severity of her husband Harvey’s illness (ALS) his death or to dishonor his memory, but more her wish through her writing and images to heal herself and her children. Her book was many years in the making and is published with the permission of her three sons, now adults. We visualize Harvey’s anger at his fate, one that seems to keep those closest to him at arm’s length, shutting them out instead of allowing their love to comfort him. Perhaps this is his way of protecting them and himself. He never seems to move beyond this. I did now walk in his shoes and I just don’t know. I’m not certain Moss ever truly understands this either.

You cannot read without Last Things feeling sad. However, Moss shares an important story with us, one of her resilience as she struggles to be the glue that keeps her family together during extremely hard times.

You cannot walk away with taking something from her story. The title alone sheds insight that through the loss of much, including many last things, this author held on to her love of the man she married while nurturing her sons, maintaining a family unit. Don’t hesitate to pick this up but do pick your time.