John West (2)

Very interesting read. The authors brutal, honest account of assisting his gravely ill parents suicide. His raw emotions are intense ! At first I didn't know if I could read it but as I started I couldn't stop. It was interesting to read Mr. West's thoughts and his detailed emotions of how he would carry out The Plan. It was very well written and thought provoking. A huge controversial subject and I know there are people out there that think its horribly wrong but to those that are terminal and suffering, can you argue that with them? Highly recommend this one!… (mer)

I really thought this one would be a tear-jerker, but it surprisingly wasn't. It wasn't that I didn't become emotionally attached, but West gives the story so matter-of-factly and the humor that exudes from his family makes it easier to read. Not to say that he's making light of this very serious topic, but the stories are marked with humor because that's how they happened.

Whether you agree with assisted suicide or not I think this is a great book to read. The turmoil West goes through, while helping his parents relieve themselves of their turmoil, is horrible but to be expected when placed in this situation.

I felt like I got to know K, Jolly, and John while reading this. And while I know they are real people books about real events always seem to have something missing that links the people to the real world. I didn't feel that way at all with this one. I think the portrayal of who these people really are came through very well. It was very well written.

I don't know that I could have done what John did, I don't know that I would ever be placed in that situation, but what I do know is that I could not have relived it over and over by writing a book about it. I think it is courageous of West to have even attempted it. And while he states that it was therapeutic for him I think it still must have been a very difficult and emotionally draining task (given what he had already gone through).

Even with the very difficult subject matter this was a very readable book. I didn't get to drained to finish it, and it didn't take me very long to get into it, and then finish it.… (mer)

John West has written a thoughtful, heart wrenching book in "The Last Goodnights". Jolly, his father and K his mother were respected doctors, and they were both dying. Jolly from cancer and K, his wife from Alzheimer's. John, their son, an attorney, helped them to have a dignified ending.

Bones riddled with cancer, Jolly goes through hip replacement surgery and goes home to end his life. Problems arise from the get go. Even getting Jolly into the house was a project. The pills needed are not available easily, but finally everything falls into place and Jolly gets his wish.

K is a different story. Although ill with Alzheimer's, she is still functional which makes John's choices even harder. As K declines, West is drinking too much and worrying about "The Plan". His sisters are no help, each with their own issues, so he is left to carry out their plan alone.

"The Plan" is simple, but always afraid of something going wrong or making the wrong choice, West does the only thing he can do, at a toll on his own physical and mental health.

Would I have had his courage? Luckily, that is not a choice I will have to make. (at least for a parent) Under the same circumstances, I hope I would.

So here's the thing--Is it okay to do what is right even if it is illegal?

Although this sounds like a downer, it is not. I really enjoyed and admired John Wests writing. It is a clear look at what happens when you love your parents dearly, and will go to any lengths to do as they wish. We should all have the freedom to choose dignity over convention.

I received this book from the author's publicist. Thank you!… (mer)