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  • What Dementia Teaches Us About Love

  • By: Nicci Gerrard
  • Narrated by: Nicci Gerrard
  • Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (26 ratings)
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What Dementia Teaches Us About Love

By: Nicci Gerrard
Narrated by: Nicci Gerrard
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Summary

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of What Dementia Teaches Us About Love, written and read by Nicci Gerrard. 

Dementia is an unmaking, a de-creation - an apocalypse of meaning. Since my father's slow-motion dying and his actual death in November 2014, I have been much preoccupied with dementia: by those who have it, by those who look after them, by the hospital wards whose beds are occupied by those in advanced stages of this self-loss, by the way society denies it, by the science of it, the art and literature about it, the philosophy, by what it means to be human, to have an identity. What is it to be oneself, and what is it to lose one's self? Who are we when we are not ourselves, and where do we go?

This is a book about dementia - not a personal account but an exploration, structured around this radically slowed death. Full of people's stories, both sad and optimistic, it is a journey into the dusk and then the darkness - and then out on the other side, where, once someone is dead, a life can be seen whole again.

©2019 Nicci Gerrard (P)2019 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about What Dementia Teaches Us About Love

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Painful and hard to listen to.

I listened to this book mostly out of respect for those caring for and with dementia, and perhaps to learn about how to make our journey with those suffering a little easier and more connected. The monotone voice of the narrator/writer made me miserable. On top of that, the subject is dismal and dark. The few references to art and artists helped the 'medicine go down', but sadly they are an oasis in a vast desert of the burning realisation of our mortality. I have read books that have been very inspiring and helpful regarding support and care for our elders. This is not one of them..

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A Human Story Told With Compassion

This book contains so many wonderful insights into how to live well with dementia or of caring for a loved one who is experiencing the life changing condition. I found the author’s voice very helpful and interesting. A human story told with compassion. Thank you.

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Absolutely beautiful

One of the best books I have read - highly, highly recommend. Full of profound insights.

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