The Middle Place

The Middle Place

by Kelly Corrigan

Published in 2008. 288 pages.

Amazon link

Author's website

Genre: Non-Fiction, Health Mind & Body

My Overall Score: 4.75/5

What its about (taken from amazon.com): Newspaper columnist Corrigan was a happily married mother of two young daughters when she discovered a cancerous lump in her breast. She was still undergoing treatment when she learned that her beloved father, who'd already survived prostate cancer, now had bladder cancer. Corrigan's story could have been unbearably depressing had she not made it clear from the start that she came from sturdy stock. Growing up, she loved hearing her father boom out his morning HELLO WORLD dialogue with the universe, so his kids would feel like the world wasn't just a safe place but was even rooting for you. As Corrigan reports on her cancer treatment—the chemo, the surgery, the radiation—she weaves in the story of how it felt growing up in a big, suburban Philadelphia family with her larger-than-life father and her steady-loving mother and brothers. She tells how she met her husband, how she gave birth to her daughters. All these stories lead up to where she is now, in that middle place, being someone's child, but also having children of her own. Those learning to accept their own adulthood might find strength—and humor—in Corrigan's feisty memoir

What I thought: This was definitely one of the most uplifting inspirational stories I have ever read. Well written. Encouraging. Engaging. I enjoyed reading about local spots in the Philadelphia area, including the King of Prussia mall. The relationship between Kelly and her father was extraordinary. Perhaps the most inspiring part was the essay at the end of the book, which Kelly wrote during her treatments entitled 'Transcending'. I wish I could find the text online, but trust me, it is beautiful!

You Tube video of author reading Transcending - CLICK HERE

A few passages I really enjoyed were:
p 215 "The way I see it, if you have four kids, you don't really have to do anything else, ever...Four kids gives you a pass for every forgotten birthday, overlooked appointment, and missing form....It's like having nonthreatening cancer, forever." - funny!!
p 216 talking about why she wants a big family: "...every kid I've ever met from a big family doesn't take himself too seriously and has learned things you cant teach...they make do. They roll with it." --Helped to put my mind at ease about having a large family

Why I read it & where I got it: Once again, I heard some wonderful things about this book so I ordered it on amazon.

Date finished: May 21, 2009

Currently reading: Body Surfing by Anita Shreve