It's taken a long time to read this relatively short book (just over 300 pages). It's a very difficult story to read emotionally, but it's also beautifully written and the words just flow from the page. The stark, honest and at times brutal description of Kate's battle with cancer, and Ellen's battle with her reactions to her Mother's disease is heart-breakingly painful to read. Any woman who is, or has been, very close to their own Mother will find it difficult to stop themselves from putting Ellen's shoes on and imagining just how they would cope in her situation. Ellen is not senitmental about her parents, she has always been closest to her Father who like her, is more academic than practical. It is only during her Mother's last few months that she really gets to know the woman behind the home-maker. With the theme of assisted suicide throughout the story, along with the 'did she?, didn't she?' aspect, this is a well-written, hard hitting novel. I have no doubt that the story will stay with me for some time.