In December 1991 my daugher, Paula, fell gravel ill and soon thereafter sank into a coma. These pages were written during the interminable hours spent in the corridors of a Madrid hospital and in the hotel room where I lived for several months, as well as beside her bed in our home in California during the summer and fall of 1992.

I was very good last night, so many books and I only came away with this one. I have enjoyed other books by Isabel Allende so look forward to this one. Thanks for sharing kzel - and nice to meet you.

I loved this very personal memoir. I sobbed for the last few pages (always a sign of a good book for me). Isabel Allende really bared her soul – sometimes so much that I wondered if it was totally true – particularly the cause of her reaction to the death of a young fisherman when she was only eight years old.
I enjoy her writing immensely and this true story about the gradual decline of her comatose daughter is heart-breaking. As a mother, one always hopes that one’s children will outlive you!
Her tenacity in trying to keep her daughter alive was amazing and the support she received from her family and supporters was very important to her well-being.
Overall I would rate this 10/10 both for the writing and for the fact that the author gave her all in this book.

Sent to my daughter in Fremantle as part of a birthday parcel. Hopefully she will read and journal!