Happy Friday, all! Today I have a review of poignant and powerful novel publishing on September 25, 2018 by Simon Schuster.
My Thoughts:
Oh, how I love a mother-daughter story. The Caregiver is set in beautiful Rio de Janeiro in 1980s. Ana is everything to her daughter, Mara. She lives paycheck to paycheck as a voice-over actress, and is assertive, resilient, and reckless all at the same time. Ana has a fierce love for her daughter, but her limitations hold her back from being a traditional mom. As a result, Mara ends up mothering Ana and growing up earlier than her time.
Things begin to fall apart when Ana becomes involved in a hostile group trying to rid the city of its despicably brutal police chief. Her actions abruptly change their lives and not for the better. Mara has no choice but to flee Brazil for safety, and she emigrates to the United States. There she becomes the sole caregiver for a woman, Kathryn, diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer.
Through her service towards Kathryn, Mara learns about herself and addresses her incongruous and unusual relationship with her mother.
The mother-daughter push and pull relationship can be dramatic at times, but Park does not depict Ana and Maura in a grandiose way. There is an underlying emotional tone and poignance just beneath the surface that made my throat catch at times. Subtle but masterful.
I would offer The Caregiver is not just a story unique to mothers and daughters, but it is also about humans looking for love and connection as a way of obtaining a steadfast anchor. Related to that, it’s also about belonging and how that can in turn anchor, especially as it pertains to the immigrant experience.
The Caregiver is the first novel I have read by Samuel Park, and it turns out this book was published posthumously after he passed away from stomach cancer. Mr. Park had Mara care for someone dying of the same cancer he had. I have to wonder what it was like for him to write about that with it so close to home. What a gift is this author’s work.
Thank you to Simon Schuster for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
From the critically acclaimed author of This Burns My Heart comes gorgeous, emotionally wise tale about a daughter who unearths the hidden life of her enigmatic mother.
Mara Alencar’s mother Ana is the moon, the sun, the stars. Ana, a struggling voice-over actress, is an admirably brave and recklessly impulsive woman who does everything in her power to care for her little girl. With no other family or friends her own age, Ana eclipses Mara’s entire world. They take turns caring for each other—in ways big and small.
Their arrangement begins to unravel when Ana becomes involved with a civilian rebel group attempting to undermine the city’s torturous Police Chief, who rules over 1980s Rio de Janeiro with terrifying brutality. Ana makes decisions that indelibly change their shared life. When Mara is forced to escape, she emigrates to California where she finds employment as a caregiver to a young woman dying of stomach cancer. It’s here that she begins to grapple with her turbulent past and starts to uncover vital truths—about her mother, herself, and what it means to truly take care of someone.
Told with vivid imagery and subtle poignancy, The Caregiver is a moving and profound story that asks us to investigate who we are—as children and parents, immigrants and citizens, and ultimately, humans looking for vital connectivity.
Have you read The Caregiver or any other books by Samuel Park? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Lovely review and what a beautiful cover! ❤
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Thank you, Norrie! I was charmed by that cover too! Beautiful words inside the book, too. 💗
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Great review as always! I love books that focus on mother-daughter relationships and this one sounds great so I’ll be adding it to my TBR!
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Thank you, Darina! This book is a real treasure, and I hope you enjoy it, too, if you are able to fit it in. I was really impressed with the writing. Happy Friday!
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I was first drawn to this book because of the author’s name. My first employer was called Samuel Park, he was a good boss 🙂 Glad to hear that this was a good read. It sounds quite emotional though especially after knowing the connection that the author has with Kathryn’s story. I also like the themes. Once again, you have convinced me to add another title to my TBR. Thank you.
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Thank you, Diana! That connection to the author’s name is special. I love when things like that happen. I know you enjoy emotional reads like I do, and I think you’d find so much to love in this book. I look forward to your thoughts if you are able to read it. ♥️
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I have this one and am anxious to get to it. I am so behind in my reading. ugh!Terrific review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! I am behind on some reads, too, so I understand. I have a really busy first two weeks in October, so I’m trying hard to read one or two early while I also work on the ones past publication. I think you’ll really enjoy The Caregiver. You may even want to share it with your daughters. ♥️
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Beautiful review, Jennifer. I was especially struck by the author’s connection to the story and wonder, like you, if Mara was a tribute to his own caregiver.
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Thank you, Jonetta! That fact is beautiful and heartrending at the same time.
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This is a new author for me too, I might buy it for my daughter.
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I think your daughter would find this to be a lovely story. ♥️ (and that is a thoughtful gift, too).
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Haha, I normally buy her psychological thrillers!
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Aw, that’s too funny! 😂
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Wonderful review. I like the premise and the 1980s Brazil setting intrigues me too. Going to Amazon now to check it out…. not like I needed that!!! Lol. Happy Friday.
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Thank you, Nina! I am so sorry to send you to Amazon! That said, I think it’s such a lovely read, and if you are able to fit it in, I hope you love it, too. Happy Friday to you! I hope you have a lovely weekend!
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Thanks very much 😊
Oh… do you know if it’s on NetGalley by any chance?
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You’re welcome! Yes, it should still be up until at least Tuesday/pub day! They approved me quickly, Nina, so I hope you get it! ♥️
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Ooh nice. Hopefully I’ll get a chance today to go on. Thanks!!
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Glad you enjoyed this one and wonderful review Jenni!
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Thank you, Holls! I loved htis one! ♥️
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Lovely review for what looks like a lovely book!💕
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Thanks, Berit! I really loved this one! Brilliant storytelling. 💗
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Wow! This one sounds really good! Awesome review Jen!😊💕😊💕
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Thanks, Sus! ♥️ It really impressed me! I hope you’ve had a great day!
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What a lovely setting for this story. Wonderful review. 🙂
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Thank you, Chrissi! It was such a lovely read and the setting brought that out even more!
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Another on my galley TBR that I WANT to get to! Your review makes it that much more compelling!
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Yay, Myndi, I am super excited to see what you think of this one. You’ll get to it soon enough, and when you do, it’s one to absolutely savor. ♥️
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WOW…Sounds like a beautiful book. I love stories on mother-daughter relationships! Loved the cover too. Definitely must check this out! Another great review, Jennifer! xoxo
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Thank you, Jee! This book was exceptionally good, and I love that cover, too. I hope you enjoy it, too, if you are able to work it in! ♥️ xoxo
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I’m really hoping I can!! Especially after reading your review! ❤️
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Lovely review. Cannot wait to read.
Thanks, Jennifer.
Happy relaxing weekend.🍁🌺💗📚
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Thank you, Virginia! I hope you love this one, too! Such a special book! Happy weekend! ♥️ xo
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Oh, this sounds so beautiful but so sad too. And the author’s story was heartbreaking. I can’t imagine. I’ll have to add this one to my TBR too, lol. I should just know that when I come to your blog to be prepared to add the book to my TBR if I haven’t already, haha! ❤ Have a great weekend!
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I feel the same way when I read your reviews! It’s a given I’ll want to read it if you enjoyed it. ♥️ I loved this book, and I’m pretty certain you will too. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too! Xoxo
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That’s so sweet and makes me smile! ❤ I have a feeling that I will too. Thanks! xoxo
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Wonderful review, this sounds like a wonderful book, but I’m not sure if I’ll ever read it, it hits too close to home. Knowing the author passed away before the book got published is heartbreaking but at least he got to leave his final words behind.
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Thank you, Carolina! I completely understand. Yes, his words will forever leave a legacy and an imprint behind. You said it well.
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Oh my goodness, WOW, this sounds like such a powerful story. It might be a little too emotionally intense for me right now, but I’m glad it exists in this world. And it’s absolutely heartbreaking that the author is no longer with us. Beautiful, beautiful review, Jennifer! ❤
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Thank you, Kathy! I can totally understand that. Timing for books is really important. It was definitely powerful and resonant and a stunning read. I hope you have a great weekend, Kathy! ♥️
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Wow, this sounds like such a moving read Jen! Gorgeous review and picture as always 😍
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Thanks, Beth! It was an emotional and powerful read, for sure! ♥️ xo
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I don’t think I could read this one since a close family member died of stomach cancer, but it does sound powerful.
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It was a powerful read, and I completely understand, Laurie. Way too close to home. ♥️
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