Reviews

The Wide Circumference of Love by Marita Golden

tlaynejones's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Terminal illness, Grief, Domestic abuse, and Abandonment

Minor: Rape and Sexual assault

drchronicallyreading's review

I think it’s a perfectly fine book I just didn’t want to read it I think it’s the wrong genre for me or maybe I’m in the wrong mood for it 

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

I really liked this novel of family love before, during and after the devastating diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's Disease. The setting is Washington DC (Ben's Chili Bowl is even mentioned!) and the main characters are all high achievers. Diane Tate grew up wounded but achieved in spite of her family. She is a family court judge. Gregory Tate grew up privileged. He and friend Mercer started the first black-led architecture firm in DC. They are very successful in spite of the many barriers to entry they faced against the white establishment. Diane and Gregory have raised 2 children and are in the prime of life when Gregory begins his slide into Alzheimer's. Golden does a beautiful job writing the interior life of both patient and caregivers. Life is both difficult and hopeful.

mattgroot1980's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

kxmulligan79's review against another edition

3.0

My actual rating is 3.5.

glendareads39's review against another edition

5.0

Heartbreaking, challenging, sad and uplifting. Marita Golden reminds all us that people with Alzheimer's do need love and support. Alzheimer's is a horrendous disease that no families shouldn't have go through. I am a volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association. Going to health fairs and raising awareness. I lost my grandma in 2016 after a seven year battle with Alzheimer's. This book reached a personal level for me.

slanderoid's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Great story but it suffers from some prose that felt forced and a confusing structure

readwithmeemz's review against another edition

3.0

A tender and emotional story about family, and love. A bit slow moving, but ultimately fulfilling - it’s a wonderful story of a family, and how they all deal with their patriarch’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
This book hits pretty close to home, and Golden does a great job at highlighting all the shades of grey in a complicated family saga.

I’m an Indigo Employee, and I received an advanced reading copy of this book, from Indigo Books & Music, in exchange for my honest feedback.

steel_city_peach's review

4.0

This was such an emotional read for me. It felt so personal. So many moments in the book reminded me of my grandmother’s battle with dementia.

shannanh's review against another edition

5.0

A very emotional and well paced read about a family dealing with a member dealing with alzheimer's