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Mum's List: A Mother's Life Lessons to the Husband and Sons She Left Behind
For Kate Green, nothing was as important as the happiness and well-being of her two little boys, Reef and Finn, and her loving husband, St. John, known as “Singe.” They had a wonderfully happy family life in Somerset, England. But then tragedy struck—Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer that couldn’t be cured.
During her last few days, Kate created what she called Mum’s L...more
During her last few days, Kate created what she called Mum’s L...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
June 5th 2012
by Dutton Adult
(first published 2012)
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What can I say?
I tend to avoid non fiction material because I like something I can read after a long day, but I saw a review for this in a magazine and I HAD to buy it - despite working in a library.
From the opening page, this book had me crying and I could feel the goosebumps on the back of my body and all up my arms.
Perhaps,the worst thing about reading this book, was that it stirred up the same feelings I had when my mum passed away, so although I could totally understand St John's feelings,...more
I tend to avoid non fiction material because I like something I can read after a long day, but I saw a review for this in a magazine and I HAD to buy it - despite working in a library.
From the opening page, this book had me crying and I could feel the goosebumps on the back of my body and all up my arms.
Perhaps,the worst thing about reading this book, was that it stirred up the same feelings I had when my mum passed away, so although I could totally understand St John's feelings,...more
Este livro conta-nos como St John conseguiu seguir com a sua vida depois de ter perdido a sua alma gémea. É uma história de perdas e vitórias, de tristezas e alegrias.
Quando Kate descobre que está a morrer e percebe que não o vai conseguir evitar por mais tratamentos e por mais que lute contra o cancro começa a fazer uma lista daquilo que gostaria que o marido fizesse e também daquilo que ela gostava, de maneira a que nunca se esqueçam dela e também que tenham algo que os guie nos momentos angus...more
Quando Kate descobre que está a morrer e percebe que não o vai conseguir evitar por mais tratamentos e por mais que lute contra o cancro começa a fazer uma lista daquilo que gostaria que o marido fizesse e também daquilo que ela gostava, de maneira a que nunca se esqueçam dela e também que tenham algo que os guie nos momentos angus...more
Its always a hard decision to read a true life story, particularly one that relates to the loss of someone's life and the family left behind. Its hard because you often don't want to read about such potential sadness, or believe that someone's life may ever bear enough resemblance to your own to make it understandable. The 'Its not happening to me so why should I care' mindset...
Books are generally escapism for people, definitely for me. However sometimes you need to look beyond your own needs...more
Books are generally escapism for people, definitely for me. However sometimes you need to look beyond your own needs...more
Aug 02, 2012
Aurita Maldonado
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
somewhere-in-between
This was a heart touching story. I love to read books that immediately remind you to appreciate what you have in the moment and never take for granted those precious moments spent with the people you love. Because this book evoked that emotion in me, I loved it. I was brought to tears literally from the first page, the prologue. Maybe it’s because I have found my soul mate as well, and the thought of proceeding through this life without him beside my side is unfathomable. The simple fact that Si...more
Am sorry, but while I feel the pain of their loss and know that the family was dealt with more than their fair share of trials and heartache, can't a help but think that some of the things done in the year after Kate's death were overly extravagant. There is a certain cathartic release in remembering the people who we are unfortunately left to mourn,in a quiet way. I am a Mum myself and would want my family to carry on with life, if God forbid, something should happen to me or my husband. But I...more
What an emotional book! Very sad however also very inspiring especially as a Mum to young boys. I loved Kate's idea of having a list and aside from the unbelievable sadness in the story being told of her illness and death, this is also a beautiful love story. It doesn't dwell on the sadness the children must feel, that goes without saying, but describes Singe's total and utter love and respect for his soul mate from the day he met her. He describes beautifully what he loved about her and their b...more
1 like · like · see review
Feb 12, 2013
Sónia
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
segredo-dos-livros,
2012
Vivendo nós numa sociedade em que a beleza e a longevidade são altamente veneradas, haver um livro que fala sobre a morte, intrigou-me. Ainda mais me intrigou o sucesso que soube que obteve, depois de ter lido uma entrevista com o autor, marido de Kate. Mesmo sabendo que este tipo de estórias pode conter uma componente mais lamechas, coisa que, em momento algum, me agrada, decidi arriscar. E em boa hora o fiz...
O livro apresenta-se na perspectiva de Kate, uma mulher que descobre que sofre de ca...more
O livro apresenta-se na perspectiva de Kate, uma mulher que descobre que sofre de ca...more
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Kurz vor ihrem Tod schreibt Kate ihrem Mann eine Liste mit allem, was ihr für die Zukunft der Kinder wichtig scheint: „Bring ihnen bei, pünktlich zu sein. Lass sie nicht Motorrad fahren. Geh mit ihnen Glücksklee suchen. Zeig ihnen das Nordlicht. Gib den Jungs zwei Küsse, wenn ich nicht mehr bin – einen von dir, den zweiten von mir.“ Als Kate ihren Kampf gegen den Krebs verliert, ist ihr Mann außer sich vor Schmerz. Doch das Vermächtnis seiner Frau hält ihn aufrecht und hilft ihm, au...more
Kurz vor ihrem Tod schreibt Kate ihrem Mann eine Liste mit allem, was ihr für die Zukunft der Kinder wichtig scheint: „Bring ihnen bei, pünktlich zu sein. Lass sie nicht Motorrad fahren. Geh mit ihnen Glücksklee suchen. Zeig ihnen das Nordlicht. Gib den Jungs zwei Küsse, wenn ich nicht mehr bin – einen von dir, den zweiten von mir.“ Als Kate ihren Kampf gegen den Krebs verliert, ist ihr Mann außer sich vor Schmerz. Doch das Vermächtnis seiner Frau hält ihn aufrecht und hilft ihm, au...more
On 20 January 2010, St. John Greene lost his wife to cancer. Kate was only 38, and she and St. John (Singe) had two small boys.
When Kate realized she wasn't going to live to see her boys grown, she enlisted Singe's help in capturing a list of things Kate wanted for her boys, and memories of her she wanted the boys to have as they got older.
In Mum's List, St. John Greene recounts his love affair with Kate, the impact of Cancer on their family, Kate's "Mum's List" and surviving their tragic loss....more
When Kate realized she wasn't going to live to see her boys grown, she enlisted Singe's help in capturing a list of things Kate wanted for her boys, and memories of her she wanted the boys to have as they got older.
In Mum's List, St. John Greene recounts his love affair with Kate, the impact of Cancer on their family, Kate's "Mum's List" and surviving their tragic loss....more
I feel that I can rate this like any other book as I feel that would be too disrespectful. This book put me on an emotional roller coaster and made me see the amazing and beautiful side of life. It inspired me to do more and not waste my life but make the most of it. The story is heartbreaking but inspiring and the list is something I feel is so beautiful in itself. I hope the family is well and the boys are enjoying there secret play room. The only criticism I can have is that all though this f...more
I think I cried through most of the book. It was about a mother of two young children. Her first son was diagnosed with cancer and they found a tumor in his leg at 18 months. They operated and he had chemo and radiation. The secound son was born at 7 months old and stayed in the hospital for the first month. The mother was then diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through chemo and radiation as well. She tried to be there for her family but knew she was losing the fight against cancer. Her and...more
I know this will be terribly unpopular as a review, but whilst I completely empathised with the family and events, the actual writing of the book - by a ghost writer- felt staged and contrived. Reported conversations and analysis of thoughts and actions just didn't ring true which is a shame. I also didn't warm to the rather privileged lifestyle and experiences of the father. A very sad story about a brave family, but not a good read.
Really enjoyed reading this. I started crying almost from the very first page and at first thought I wouldn't be able to finish reading without breaking down at every page but then I found that by the end of the book I was feeling heartened and inspired and not so sad and that's the cleverness of this book right there. You are immediately drawn into the author's personal story and feel and share in his every emotion at losing the love of his life but then go with him on his journey of grief and...more
Starting reading this book but found it so sad I could only read the first few chapters. As a mother I just couldn't get passed what she must have felt writing the list knowing that she wouldn't be there to see her sons grow up. Heartbreaking.
Such an amazing book!!
I want to refrain from calling it a story as I feel it wouldn't be right!
The way the book is written makes me want to continue reading mainly to find out how singe and the boys cope!
Kate sounds like an incredible woman!!
The book made me smile & cry the whole way through!!!
Well done singe Kate would be proud!!!
I want to refrain from calling it a story as I feel it wouldn't be right!
The way the book is written makes me want to continue reading mainly to find out how singe and the boys cope!
Kate sounds like an incredible woman!!
The book made me smile & cry the whole way through!!!
Well done singe Kate would be proud!!!
This book evoked a real range of emotions, had me laughing and crying. An amazing mum/wife and dad/husband. The family have been through so much it's unimaginable but the writer is not asking for sympathy. Inspirational read.
I saw the author interviewed on tv- and he's trying to provide the experiences for his sons that his late wife wanted them to have. She left a list with advice and trips and parties she wanted them to have. It was such a sad book.
Heartbreaking story but the book was a total let down. Was expecting so much more.. The book was like a diary of thier lives...recollecting moments. Very sad story but nothing to read...
An unpopular review, but I did not like the writing style of this book. The true life story had so much potential but was written in such a way that I never connected with the father. It seemed very contrived with picture perfect responses and conversations even though they were in the midst of a tragedy. I couldn't help wondering how he afforded all the things he was doing and how he could possibly have sooooo much time to do them. I am not judging the real man or events just saying that the wa...more
Was not what i thought it would be like but still enjoyed it and cryed and laughed in parts it must have been very hard and couragous thing to have gone through and written
Amazing book to read! Puts everything in perspective and it made me think what I want to do later in life when I've got kids.
Recommendation to read, definitely!
Recommendation to read, definitely!
wow.... I had so many emotions reading this, although I will admit I mostly cried. what a brave woman, well all of them really. a very powerful and inspiring read
I couldn't read all of the book it was to sad! But so understand why this book was written! And maybe one day ill go back and finish it!
A very very emotional read but would recommend to my friends, it will certainly make you think about how precious life is
A real tear jerker but what a lovely family. Definitely worth a read, definitely puts life into perspective
Oct 05, 2012
Cjandres
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
around-the-world-challenge
The telling of the motions and emotions of a tight knit family going through hardships and the losing of a mother and wife. Reading this inspired me to attack such hardships with courage, happiness, and love. I think that the book was as honest as one would want to be in such a situation. St. John Greene told just enough to convey his memories but not too much so that him and his family wouldn't be vulnerable to the public. I liked the book for all the emotional cries but also for the realizati...more
Get the tissues at the ready, the only book I've ever read that has made me cry
Spent most of the time crying whilst reading this book. Very touching.
a total heartbreaker, real love story only read if your prepared to cry!
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Jan 09, 2013 03:05pm