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The Reluctant Carer
- Dispatches from the Edge of Life
- Narrated by: William Andrews
- Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins
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The Reluctant Carer
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Summary
It was the kind of phone call we all dread. Your elderly father has been admitted to hospital. Your even older mum is now at home alone. The answer? Simple. Drop everything, go back and help. The reality? Not so straightforward. Suddenly, you’re a kid again, stranded in the overheated house you grew up in. Soon they need you 24/7. And you want to help, of course you do. But now your own life starts to unravel almost as quickly as their health. And then there is nowhere else to go.
In between bouts of washing, feeding, cooking and fighting there are times that test you, days where everything goes wrong and moments when everyone, miraculously rises to the occasion. And amidst all of that, this strange second childhood offers up a shot at redemption—if you can just stop everyone from falling down.
Irresistibly funny, unflinching and deeply moving, this is a love letter to family and friends, to carers and to anyone who has ever packed a small bag intent on staying for just a few days. This is a true story of what it really means to be a carer, and of the ties that bind even tighter when you least expect it. This is The Reluctant Carer.
Critic reviews
"Incredible. One of those rare books that should be dispensed on prescription to every household." (Lucy Easthope, author of When the Dust Settles)
"Hilarious, bitter, poignant and profound...like an existential soap opera—only with more laughs." (Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan)
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What listeners say about The Reluctant Carer
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Julie Thomas
- 06-03-23
Pure truth
Heartfelt story, hard if you to are living it. I’m at the start of this with my own parents
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Audrey Barrow
- 30-07-22
So moving
This is an excellent book which tells of the experience of looking after elderly parents and the emotional roller coaster involved. Very moving .
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark Wilson
- 06-01-23
This is reality warts and all, superb!
Really brings home the reality of being a carer, something that most of us will have to experience at some point in our lives. It struck a chord with me in so many ways as i am at that stage with my parents but also have the job of being a full time carer for my wife who has ms and a son with asperger's syndrome who lives with us still. The weight of responsibility is often overwhelming and admit that i struggle to deal with it all.
Despite this there are a lot of joyous and very funny moments within this book that made me laugh out loud and i would definitely recommend listening to it. The narration is spot on and makes me feel like i am genuinely listening to the author go about his daily life and reports of his days as they happen.
It also highlights the mess that is social care and how hard it is for both the carers and the people they are trying to help under the influence of organisations that only seem interested in making and saving money.
A great book, really well written that i wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MRs EILEEN FINCH
- 24-10-23
True life
An honest account of the hardest role of all -caring for those who cared for you when things get very tough .The narrator is perfect in tone and recounts each event with stoicism as well as truth.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nahla
- 11-08-22
Honest, Vulnerable and Personal
I loved the vulnerability of the author. His account was honest, transparent and humane in so many aspects. The way he connected his own inner experiences with the outside world was fascinating. I have to admit that he helped me self reflect in so many passages. You can't read or listen to this book without feeling a certain connection to the experiences.
A must listen or read!!
The narrator also made it extra special.
Thank you 😊
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nina Ballinger
- 17-07-22
Beautiful, haunting, exquisite pros
I loved this book, I listened in one sitting. Not a single excess word, poetic, heartbreaking, honest. Truly wonderful. Thank you for writing this.
Narration was perfect too.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sabrina Malik
- 07-01-24
Touching, sad, insightful and rings true
As someone who is struggling with guilt and worry about a windowed mum’s poor health, I felt every pride written by the author. It made me laugh and cry, the raw honesty of it was so touching. Bringing light to not just his story but other children dealing with adult fragile parents.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Reece
- 04-03-24
Beautiful poignant horrifying and hilarious and heartbreaking
This is a book for our age our times it is so much more than it’s subject matter which is everything.
About what really matters and how human relationships with our nearest and dearest
Ultimately define who we are
Good bad and ugly . Profound insightful and beautifully written
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Susan
- 14-08-22
Disappointing
I had hoped this might be an interesting insight into caring for aged parents. It seems like an uncaring moan and a poor reflection of the character of the writer. I gave up as I found it unlistenable
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