A Book at Bedtime

This is one of those quiet, but stunningly powerful books that can't help but get you emotionally involved in the lives of the characters. This is the story of Jack and Eva, mostly told from the viewpoint of Jack as he cares for Eva who has dementia and can't speak and is bedbound. It's a look back at their lives together, interspersed with the realities of caring with a loved one with dementia and all that entails. It's heartbreaking to hear his thoughts as he just wants to be with his wife, but the carers who come in to help complicate matters with 'health and safety' issues and you really get a sense of his frustrations - at them, the illness and all that has gone on through their lives together. This is a story where he's trying to make peace with the past as he looks back at various stages - from his childhood, when he first met Eva and to their lives together. Times have been unkind to them both and you really get a sense of that sadness. He finds solace in talking about The Great Man (Thomas Hardy, but never named!) he met, and his time working at the small bookshop where they currently live. It has become such an integral part of their life, despite the impracticality of their current situation. As he looks back, secrets of the past reveal themselves and finally get acknowledged when they didn't at the time. My heart was breaking for Jack as he tells you his story - his life has been tough and doesn't seem to be letting up for him now in his dotage. The patience he shows for Eva is evident, but there's also that conflicting emotion in him wishing her dead as there's no dignity for her, or him, as she suffers with this illness. And having a viewpoint from Eva also allows you to see inside the world as she views it, which was really poignant and powerful. It isn't afraid to confront the important issues such as dementia, sexuality and does so in a realistic way. An emotional and beautiful story that has plenty to make the reader both laugh and cry. Highly recommended! Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/230509/review/238309

Tenderly written and beautifully crafted. I read this slowly and thought deeply. Lives lived, deceits unfolded and compassion throughout . Beautiful. Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/230509/review/378356

Set during one day in the present but also returning to the past, this delightful book covers a lot of sensitive issues. These include dementia, sexuality, infidelity, loss and a dominant religious mother. Jack and Eva's marriage got off to a bad start and never recovered, but rightly or wrongly they stuck together with both carrying guilt. My favourite chapter was Eva's, with the childlike speech, just showing how we go full circle. It took me a while to work out ‘The Great Man', who I believe is Thomas Hardy, although it isn't confirmed. This book will make you laugh and cry. Thank you to NetGalley and Matador for letting me read and review this book. Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/230509/review/495685

A Book at Bedtime is a great literary tale full of book references, a beautiful love story, and shocking twists. Following an elderly man caring for his ailing wife, this book is heartwarming, intelligent, and fresh, making it the perfect read for the start of the academic season. Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/230509/review/556512

This book is set during different time periods, following the life of Jack Carter, the owner of a book store, that he lives above. He is doing his best to care for his wife, Eva who is in her advanced state of dementia. As the story continues to move during the different time periods, Jack remembers incidents from his past, and we learn more about his life, and what made him the man that we are reading about. Clues to characters and the roles they've played in Jack's life are peppered throughout and piecing it all together. I found this a very pleasant read, and it is a novel that makes you think about life and the people who are going through something very similar to what Jack and Eva are going through. Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/230509/review/432206