How Many Camels Are There in Holland?

Dementia, Ma and Me

By: Phyllida Law

Narrated by: Phyllida Law

Length: 3 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

The charming, funny successor to the hugely popular Notes to My Mother-in-Law, from the inimitable Phyllida Law.

Following Phyllida Law’s wonderful and acclaimed Notes to My Mother-in-Law - which comically and tenderly documented the author’s relationship with her husband’s mother who lived with the family for 17 years - we now have a chronicle of Phyllida’s relationship with her own mother who suffered from dementia. Recently widowed, bringing up her own two daughters (actresses Emma and Sophie Thompson), and working as a successful actress herself, Phyllida went up and down to Scotland to spend as much time with her ailing mother as she could manage. During the period she kept a lively and frank journal noting many of the sad yet funny examples of her mother’s faltering grip on reality. The journal includes reminiscences of her own childhood and the tragic death of her only brother.

This book promises to be just as warm and moving as her first.

©2013 Phyllida Law (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Hackneyed I know but this is a MUST listen

This book describes Phyllida Law's care of her dementing mother in Scotland while she was trying to sustain an acting career from her home in London. It is a glorious book full of gentle and rip roaring humor in the face of what must have been dreadful to witness. Phyllida had already cared for her mother-in law who was very deaf at the same time she was raising Emma and Sophie Thompson her actress daughters.Husband and father,Eric Thompson ( Magic Roundabout narrator for any Brits reading this) died very young.
Phyllida has the most expressive, beautiful voice and narrates her exquisite prose to perfection. I listened to this book without a break and have bought another audible because she is narrating it.

loving memories

it took 20 years for Phyllida to write this memoir of her last year (s) of her mom who has dementia. By then, some memories were funny, everything was forgiven and most frustrations forgotten.
it's good to have such perspective on caring for a person with dementia. it's one of the hardest jobs. Phyllida did it. This book is both endearing and helpful. i enjoyed the fun bits. i enjoyed Phyllida's sense of humor towards life, even when falling flat on her face. This book is quite witty despite the topic. it was lovely to spend a few hours in Phyllida's world. Thank you, Phyllida for honestly sharing your world with us.

Dementia, Ma and Me...Simply Superb!

Phyllida Law is an exceptional writer and narrator. This audio book is one of my favorites and is certainly worth the money! I have become a big fan of her writing and her acting career. You won't be disappointed with this audio book or any of her other written works and her superb narrations. This audio book is a keeper!

Disappointing

This had a great review in 'the Guardian' biographies of the year and I was expecting to find it funny and moving. Unfortunately I found it a little too understated and wasn't moved to tears or laughter. It felt far too short, as if it had been abridged and at times I found that the narration randomly jumped around. I didn't particularly enjoy the narration either. This may be a book that's better to read in the print version.

Wonderful

The picture of caring with so much love for someone who is beloved but becoming some else is is told with humour and is bitter sweet. Anyone who has done this will recognise these pictures

Brilliant

Funny and moving account of coping with a loved ones dementia- brilliantly read and vey enter as well.

Touching, charming and gently amusing.

Touching, charming and a fascinating insight into Phyllida Law's family and the challenges of looking after a mother who is disappearing. Law shows great love and compassion as well as humour, and she reads this with skill and tenderness. Definitely a favourite.