I read Joyce Maynard’s memoir during a COVID lockdown. The first third is called “Before” and is a joyful account of Maynard finding love in her late 50s after a long-ago bitter divorce, and 25 years of being single. She meets Jim on Match.com and it’s a perfect match.
They have a fast-moving courtship and are like two love-obsessed teenagers enjoying the moment and also making future plans – but with an immediacy demanded by pending old age. They marry fast and cram in as much activity as possible, which is just as well because on their one-year wedding anniversary Jim is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
“After” is the title of the last two-thirds of the book. They are in cancer denial as they continue to plan trips, new homes, olive groves and more at the same time as coming to grips with the beast that is pancreatic cancer. Maynard describes in detail the massively expensive, excruciatingly painful and ultimately fruitless attempts they make to cure the incurable.
Just a few months ago I put the book in a pile to give to Lifeline for its Giant Bookfair, but something made me keep it and I reread it. Within a few weeks of finishing it again my sister was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I knew the moment she uttered those two words what lay ahead but nothing prepared me for her death coming ten weeks after diagnosis. Like Jim, the endless hospital stays and pain and suffering resulting from various treatments did little to improve or extend her life or its quality. Unlike Maynard and Jim, my sister spent 52 years married to a wonderful man and they led a full and happy life together. Some consolation.
Two things stand out in this book: its reflection on coming to understand true love through the experience of great loss, and the knowledge you gain about an evil cancer. A sentiment expressed in the book is: “If only you could learn the lessons of cancer without having cancer” – The Best of Us provides many of those lessons.
Early-stage pancreatic cancer rarely causes signs or symptoms, which makes the work of PanKind, the Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation, so important. For years pancreatic cancer was regarded as “too hard” and still receives little government funding. PanKind is focused on finding a breakthrough in early detection. Head here to find out more, and please donate to help deliver the breakthrough.
The Sydney Harbour Fairy
How dare a Melbournian write such a gorgeous book about our Manly ferry! At least she teamed up with a Sydney illustrator, Cate James, to do it. Together they have created the most adorable of children’s books. If you’ve got a child aged between three and seven then this book is for them, regardless of where they live.
Nanny is taking out a grandchild for a day filled with stuff Nanny likes: high tea, ballet and gardens. But the day is beyond boring for Charlie (the grandchild) until they board the Sydney Harbour Fairy (it’s got to be the Manly Ferry, no doubt about it), where suddenly Charlie’s day becomes magical.
It’s a story about the ingenuity of grandmothers to find magic in the most unlikely of places. I’m not sure who will have more fun – adults reading this book to children, or the children.
Where to buy
Support independent book shops and buy yours at Humphreys on The Corso, Berkelouw Books at Stockland Mall, Balgowlah and Harry Hartog at Warringah Mall.