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The End of Your Life Book Club

Will Schwalbe

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What Members Thought

Nov 29, 2012 Kristen rated it it was amazing

What can I say other than read this book. As I finished it, with tears streaming down my face, I was grateful that I finished it while at home, and not on public transit (hence avoiding being THAT WEEPING GIRL on the bus). Simply put, this is the memoir of Will Schwalbe’s last two years with his mother, a dynamic and remarkable woman who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007 and passed away in 2009. Schwalbe was editor in chief at a major publishing house, and books had always been one of What can I say other than read this book. As I finished it, with tears streaming down my face, I was grateful that I finished it while at home, and not on public transit (hence avoiding being THAT WEEPING GIRL on the bus). Simply put, this is the memoir of Will Schwalbe’s last two years with his mother, a dynamic and remarkable woman who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007 and passed away in 2009. Schwalbe was editor in chief at a major publishing house, and books had always been one of the things that they connected on.

You may think a book with this story would be depressing, but in fact it’s hopeful and quite beautiful. It highlights the role books play in our lives, the way that they can get us to talk about themes, ideas, philosophies, opinions, and life experiences in a way few other mediums can. Conversations you never thought you would have with someone can stem from discussing a novel. They can bring you closer together and expose to you the soul of the person you are speaking with – and under the circumstances of a terminal cancer diagnosis, they can provide the bridge to some of the more meaningful conversations one can have. In many ways, this book is love letter to the power of the written word.

"The End of your Life Book Club" also touches on the universal themes of love between a parent and child, creating relationships with your parents when you are an adult, caring for those that are ill, friendships from all walks of life, and the impact and legacy you want to have on the world. Mary Anne Schwalbe had a wonderful career and did remarkable things for students and refugees, but to her the greatest achievement of her life were her children, grandchildren, and 40+ year marriage. They were the legacy she would leave behind.

This book also doesn’t shy away from illness and death, which seems to be almost taboo in our culture anymore. In a scene that really struck with me, Mary Anne has decided to throw a medium-sized birthday party for herself, a year and a half into her pancreatic cancer diagnosis. People kept asking her if it was a good idea – "Won’t it tire you out? Are you physically up to it?" – and she just smiled and said “This is my last birthday party.” She didn’t say it in a sad or angry way, but rather decided that she was going to have a wonderful time surrounded by the people she cared about. She couldn’t change the cancer, but she could embrace that night as one of the most special of her life. I guess I hope that if I were dying of cancer and knew this would be my last birthday, I would do the same.
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Aug 15, 2015 Jessica rated it it was amazing

I disagree with the low star reviews. I felt like I was sitting next to Mary Anne throughout this book and that I got to know her quite well. I thank her son Will for the introduction.

Also, I keep thinking of books written since her death that she'd have loved. ...more

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Jul 19, 2013 Anne rated it it was ok

I was annoyed by this author a lot, but of course, his story also made me cry, so I don't know why i am complaining. Some great reflections on reading and interesting perspectives on why we read and what we read for. Also thoughtful about mortality and cancer treatment and end-of-life issues. I hope it is a long time before I have to confront this with my own parents. ...more

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Apr 09, 2014 Mary rated it it was amazing

Ignore the title and read this book. It's wonderful on so many counts: great books, familial love and the etiquette of death. ...more

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Nov 13, 2012 Kaitlin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, memoir, favorites

This is a wonderful book--it was heartbreaking and honest. I can't imagine how hard it must be to write about the death of someone you love so much, but Will Schwalbe did an outstanding job. This is a book for book-people. It is a love story, about a son and a mother and their love, and then also about their love of books, authors, characters, settings, and the written word. I found this book compelling-I admire Schwalbe's mother and can see why he looked up to her. What an astounding woman! She ...more

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