Genre Fiction
![Mary Hogan - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B001HMKLIQ.jpg)
Left: A Love Story
In this beautifully crafted novel from the author of the critically-acclaimed Two Sisters, comes the story of a woman who retreats into a fantasy world on New York City's Upper West Side as she slowly loses her once whip-smart husband to dementia-perfect for fans of Still Alice.
When life falls apart, a little fantasy goes a long way…
It started as a dream vacation in Spain, with Fay and Paul Agarra enjoying all the delights of a European holiday. A respected New York City judge, Paul has always been the man Fay can rely on, no matter what. When he inexplicably disappears from a Barcelona street corner, Fay knows something is terribly wrong. Once reunited, Paul shrugs off the episode as a simple misunderstanding-but Fay suspects her almost perfect life has taken a dark and sudden turn.
Soon there are more signs that Paul is beginning to change. Bouts of forgetfulness lead to mistakes in the courtroom. Simple tasks cause unexplainable outbursts of anger. Fay's worst suspicions are realized when she learns her husband-her rock, her love, her everything-is succumbing to the ravages of dementia.
As her husband transforms before her very eyes, Fay copes with her fears by retreating into a fantasy life filled with promise instead of pain. In Fay's invented world, she imagines herself living a glamorous life free from heartache, with a handsome neighbor she barely knows rescuing her from a future she can't accept.
Poignant and beautifully crafted, Left is an unforgettable tale about life's aching uncertainties-and a woman who discovers that somewhere between hope and reality, an unexpected future will find its way forward.
When life falls apart, a little fantasy goes a long way…
It started as a dream vacation in Spain, with Fay and Paul Agarra enjoying all the delights of a European holiday. A respected New York City judge, Paul has always been the man Fay can rely on, no matter what. When he inexplicably disappears from a Barcelona street corner, Fay knows something is terribly wrong. Once reunited, Paul shrugs off the episode as a simple misunderstanding-but Fay suspects her almost perfect life has taken a dark and sudden turn.
Soon there are more signs that Paul is beginning to change. Bouts of forgetfulness lead to mistakes in the courtroom. Simple tasks cause unexplainable outbursts of anger. Fay's worst suspicions are realized when she learns her husband-her rock, her love, her everything-is succumbing to the ravages of dementia.
As her husband transforms before her very eyes, Fay copes with her fears by retreating into a fantasy life filled with promise instead of pain. In Fay's invented world, she imagines herself living a glamorous life free from heartache, with a handsome neighbor she barely knows rescuing her from a future she can't accept.
Poignant and beautifully crafted, Left is an unforgettable tale about life's aching uncertainties-and a woman who discovers that somewhere between hope and reality, an unexpected future will find its way forward.
Editorial Reviews
"A touching novel. The book poignantly portrays Fay's struggle to come to terms with…uncomfortable yet necessary questions about the conditions of love." - Publishers Weekly
"Hogan (The Woman in the Photo, 2016) does a good job of mixing humor and heartbreak in this sharply observed novel, drawn from her own experience." - Booklist
"Hogan (The Woman in the Photo, 2016) does a good job of mixing humor and heartbreak in this sharply observed novel, drawn from her own experience." - Booklist
Readers Top Reviews
Hollee BrittonJoanna
This was captivating and really put me in the speaker's shoes. I really enjoyed reading this and all of my Aunt Mary's books!
LillianMelissa
This book was not a live story. Yes Paul and Fay were in love but the story was all over the place and a bunch of characters who weren't relevant. It wasn't really about dementia or Alzheimer's and what people go through. Very vague. I did not care for this book at all. Don't waste your money. I can honestly say it doesn't deserve any stars.
Janice Digs
If your spouse is showing all the signs of early onset dementia you must read this book. I did not put this book down until I was finished. It made me feel like I was not alone and that I was not crazy. Her story is eerily similar to mine. I was disappointed that the end of the story didn't go on and tell the rest of what happened. It ended so abruptly. Nevertheless, I am very thankful to the author. Something I have been aware of for many years is the danger of surgery with general anesthesia on someone with a pre-existing condition. It killed my sister who had MS. It almost killed my brother. And surgery with anesthesia is the worst thing for people developing cognitive impairment.
Kathy E
Although, it is heartbreaking this book tells it all. The feelings, heartache, loneliness and love that Alzheimer consists of. Always in your heart, but so alone.
Patrick Dunhill
Had a chance to meet the author and her enthusiasm convinced me to pick up this book. I'm glad I did. This modern story is an engaging and real portrait of an insightful woman who endured her husband's mental and physical decline. Mixed into the swirl of events are his kids and ex-wife, and the demands he's trying to meet as a state trial judge. For the narrator, life's rich pageant comes at her in deep colors. The prose flows like warm water and the storyteller presents as resilient in ways that matter.
