The Michaelmas Daisy
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The Michaelmas Daisy
Narrated by:
Colleen MacMahon
Buy Now for £14.99
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Narrated by:
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Colleen MacMahon
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By:
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Paul Marriner
About this listen
The Michaelmas Daisy: a contemporary story of loneliness, loyalty, love, finding new friends, and hope.
Beverley may be dead, but that doesn’t make it any easier to let go. She watches over her husband and daughter, sharing their pain, laughter, fears and dreams. As she watches, memories of her own life and love for her husband bring comfort and tears in equal measure.
Her daughter, Philippa (58, divorced), looks after her ailing father. She does so willingly, but caring for him 24/7 takes great patience and compassion, and such devotion is isolating.
Into their home comes Kaska (39). She provides respite care, brings kindness and energy, and helps Philippa realise it’s ok to still want some life of her own.
As her father’s condition worsens, Philippa’s dedication is tested to the full and difficult choices are necessary.
The Michaelmas Daisy: written in honour of those in need of care, and those who care for them.
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Listener received this title free
I was anticipating that it would be quite an emotional book and if I’m honest I wasn’t sure how I would cope.
The book is emotional but in such a well thought and well spoken way that the sadness and fear is beautifully counterbalanced with love, friendship and hope. It is not a comedy but there are moments where having being in a situation of slowly watching a loved one slip further away - I laughed at the reality being portrayed and how it made me remember my own experiences.
The book is truly well written and the characters are as real as they can be in fiction.
This book brings a light to the reality of illness and the ever loving role of those who care for us.
Heartfelt and honest
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Listener received this title free
I was completely drawn in to Beverley's story which was told so beautifully that I was completely immersed from start to finish.
Beverley died 8 years ago, but still watches over her husband, Kenny and her daughter Pippa.
Pippa, now 58 and divorced, has given up her life to care for the ailing Kenny.
This brought about so many emotions as I read.
Being a mother, I felt everything that Beverley held within.
Looking back at memories of their lives together - both good and bad - just made me think of similar milestones and events in my own life.
The worries and love of a parent never wanes.
But equally, the love and worries of the child, also continue beyond a time when the parent is either no longer as able as they used to be - or no longer there any more!
It's really hard to envisage what we leave behind us when we're gone.
I loved all of the characters right from the start.
I felt so sorry for Pippa as she wore herself out caring for her Dad.
Being alone as she was and seeing her Dad withering away, must have been one of the hardest things to do.
This made me feel glad that I never had to do this for my parents - but equally, really sad that I didn't get that quality time with them towards the end.
Kaska was just such a beautiful character - offering companionship and care to both Pippa and Kenny alike - an absolute star.
This shows just what amazing work out carers do.
This is such a tough topic to explore but one that was written with care and sensitivity throughout.
We often see this only touched upon in fiction and so it was great to see this in such detail here - showing just how tough it is emotionally, mentally, physically and financially too. But also showing how rewarding it can be.
Such a wonderful read and one that will stay with me for a long time to come.
unique read that felt so relatable.
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Listener received this title free
An incredible tale of life, living and the life before death
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Listener received this title free
Kaska, a Respite worker comes along to help Phillippa a few hours a week. She brings much-needed kindness, patience and caring with her. She offers Phillippa a release from her heavy daily life and allows her to take some personal time to explore life outside the house. She brings joy to Kenny’s life as she sings old time songs with him, doesn’t have the emotional trauma that Phillipa does when he is forgets her while also just being an uplifting person. This new atmosphere in the home creates a sense of hope for all of them.
The part of the story that added even more emotional weight and got me properly teary as I listened was the inclusion of Beverley, Phillippa’s deceased mother’s ghost who narrates her thoughts on seeing her daughter sinking into sadness as well her longlining for her beloved husband Kenny. Beverley’s observations were often informative for the other characters, endearing in how she viewed what was happening and heartbreaking as she grapples with not being able to help anymore.
The book deals with tough subjects but I think they are important topics which effects a lot more people than anyone realises. We can all relate to the narrative or know someone who is in Phillippa’s or Kenny’s position or even in that position ourselves. It was beautifully written, and the narrator did a wonderful job of bringing all the characters and their personalities to life, particularly Beverley. Have your tissues ready as this audiobook will have you feeling the pain and sadness the characters do thanks to the compelling plot and creative ways the narrator brings them to life.
A beautifully written and perfectly narrative emotional novel
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