From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…

The Spare Room

Helen Garner

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Mar 17, 2010 Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance rated it really liked it

Shelves: health, old-age, women-s-fiction, relationships, quest

Helen prepares her spare room for her friend, Nicola. Nicola has advanced cancer and is coming to stay with Helen while she undergoes an unorthodox treatment.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. The relationship between Nicola, the gadabout, and Helen, the steady and loyal friend, is fascinating. The contrast between Bess, the young granddaughter and Nicola, dying friend, is fascinating. The author allows the story to tell itself, a simple story, yet full of complexity.

I felt every e ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 24, 2010 Tanya rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010

This was a a brutally honest look at how the end of life can impact a friendship. It asks you to examine your own behavior about how you would handle situations you don't agree with. While the story is about a woman and her friend of 15 years, I can only imagine the even more difficult dialog if the situation were of a child taking care of her ailing, in-denial parent. I did appreciate the contrast of the two main characters and I would want a friend who was completely truthful, especially about ...more

Like · see review

Apr 06, 2025 Ann rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2025-aty-52, 2025-sns-50

I could relate to Nicola; I'm pseudo-hippie enough to try alternative medicine and respect others who do so. I'm also stubborn enough to throw money at a problem, like how she did at the end.

Thankful for an Australian Library card. I got to experience Australian and IP writing more. ...more

Like · see review