I have enjoyed reading Elizabeth Berg's novels for twenty years and have also had the privilege of attending two of her book signings in my hometown. Reading this memoir felt like sitting down to have a conversation with an old friend. I could so relate to the author's experiences with her aging parents as I went though similar ones with my own parents not so long ago. I, too, played the role of the distant daughter and made many trips back and forth on the highways of Wisconsin. It was very easy to place myself in her shoes as I recalled the many challenges and frustrations. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review a memoir from one of my favorite authors.

A beautiful, painful, honest and relatable novel of Elizabeth Berg's journey with her aging parents. Covering all facets of their relationships, deteriorating health conditions, hard choices, and family bonds, this book was a true, respectable, and honorary tribute to her family. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the early edition copy. All opinions are my own.

A story sure to every emotion. From birth we are taught that as we grow in age and maturity, our relationship with our parents will change, growing deeper through shared experiences and the realization that they really are just trying to do what's best for us. Then for some, there comes a point where our roles will reverse. We become the care takers as age and disease takes away their strength and sometimes their memories. Memories not only of the outside world, but of those they have shared a lifetime with.

This is such a story for Elizabeth Berg. She has chosen to share these memories with us to help us better understand how the struggle becomes so hard to bear. A loved one with Alzheimer's leaves us a little bit at a time. Elizabeth and her sister had to watch their father fade and their mother grieve for him before his death. As children, the thought of us making major decisions for our parents is never discussed. When the time comes, how do you know you have made the right decision? As she share her family's experience, your heart will twist and you'll cry.....this could be you.

A wonderfully written tale of a family's experience with a horrible disease that will take you into their lives and emotions. Not for the faint of heart....

Dear Fellow Reader,

I don’t know if you know this, but I am a fan of Elizabeth Berg. Yes, I like her books. I also enjoy her Facebook posts. If you have not read her Facebook posts, I urge you to follow her.

Her written voice is so friendly and down to earth that I think we could be friends. I know this sounds weird, but I do. No, I do not stalk her. No, she has no idea who I am. (We have met twice at book signing but she meets lots of women that way and I know she has no idea who I am.) At one of the book signings, there was a woman who had been to like 20 of her book signings. She has a big fan base. And for good reason.

She generally writes fiction. Her latest series (the Mason Books) are wonderful. She has 30 books that are published by traditional publishing houses and then three books of her Facebook posts. I am not kidding about her Facebook posts. You need to read them. She writes about just day to day things and sometimes asks for advice.

There was one book of hers that I did not like as much as the others. She wrote a Biographical Fiction book, The Dream Lover. It was the story about George Sand, the author whose real name was Aurore Dudevant. It was fine but it didn’t give me the warm fuzzies that her fiction pieces give me.

So, it was with a little trepidation that I started I’ll Be Seeing You. This is yet another departure for her, this book is a memoir about her parents. I was hoping that I would like it. Guess what? I did. I really liked it.


The book centers on a particular time in her parent’s life. It is her parent’s last years. As the book opens, her father has dementia and the disease is progressing. Her parents need to leave the house they have called home for many years and move to a place where they can have more assistance. This is a terrible time in one’s life both as the parent and the child.

I think part of my trepidation with the book is from my own background. My parents also had to leave the place they had called home for many years and move to a lovely place where they could get more help. They moved to the town where I lived and I had the fortune and mis-fortune to be their primary contact.

One of the things that I really liked was that Elizabeth didn’t gloss over her feeling and reactions. She wasn’t harsh but she expresses the frustration that she was feeling. You can see why she feels that way and how she tries to work with her parents to make things as pleasant as possible. She allows glimpses of her view of the life her parents have led. (And how lovely to have a husband that adores you the way her father adored her mother.) She lets you see that she lost her temper and felt sad and sorry. The reader also learns about the changes in her relationship with her father. While the book is specifically about the last years with her parents, it covers a lifetime of their relationships.

If you have not experienced supporting an elderly parent, then the book might not touch all the feelings that it would if you have had the experience. But it is a lovely memoir even if you haven’t had that in your life. Elizabeth Berg writes in such an accessible way that you feel that you are sitting with her as she tells the story.

“I learned that the frustration and anger that come up in these situations goes both ways: you’re frustrated and/or angry with your parents, and they’re frustrated and/or angry with you. I saw how deep the despair can be in understanding that you can no longer properly care for yourself, but I also saw how accepting the love and help that are offered can foster a whole new level of appreciation and understanding between parents and children. I learned that in the middle of what can feel like a gigantic, painful mess, there can suddenly be the saving grace of humor, or the salve of a certain kind of insight.” Elizabeth Berg

In summary, I liked the book. I read the book in one day, which tells you how absorbing it was and that it is a quick read. The book is out today (Happy Publication Day!). I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Thanks for reading!

This is a true story about the affect on a family during the progression of Alzheimers. Elizabeth Berg’s family had a lot to overcome when her father was diagnosed with Alzheimers. There were many changes that took place. They learned to overcome many challenges and to eventually depend on each other to help everyone cope.

Elizabeth Berg did a wonderful job showing both sides of this disease. She wrote so eloquently about how it affected her mother as well as her father during the evolution of his illness. She did not pull any punches on how her family handled the tough situations. It is not easy and it plays a huge impact on the family unit.

I received this memoir from the publisher for a honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the beautiful new memoir by one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Berg. 5 stars for a touching, real portrayal of dealing with parents as they age.

Elizabeth's dad was in the military and the only big soft spot he displayed was the love for his wife. But when he developed Alzheimer's, even that relationship became strained as he didn't want his wife out of his sight for a minute and it was taking its toll. Elizabeth and her siblings struggled to get their parents to see that it wasn't safe to stay in the home that they loved but that is never going to be an easy conversation. We get a real portrayal of all of the emotions involved in these life-altering decisions.

If we are lucky to have our parents live long enough, we will be faced with these same decisions. This was such a respectful but honest portrayal of a loving parent/child relationship and, of course, so beautifully written by Elizabeth Berg. Highly recommended.

Elizabeth Berg has chronicled her life over the years of when roles of parent and child changed for her. She has so eloquently written what many adults feel as they move into the role of caring for their parents if they are fortunate enough to have parents that live long lives. In her case, she was dealing with dementia/Alzheimers, but feelings and concepts of the love.care,ups, downs, frustrations,happy occasions are universal. It is a very heartfelt and touching book.
I was provided an.Advanced Reader.Copy and was under no obligation to provide a review. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and net galley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.

Elizabeth Berg’s novel chronicles her parent’s love story that lasted over 60 years. The love and devotion between this couple seem almost impossible to imagine in today’s world where marriages seldom pass the test of time and life challenges.

As her parents age and their health declines, and her once vibrant father is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, we see the family’s struggle to at once help their parents and allow them the dignity to make life-changing decisions.

A touching memoir that will resonate with many, young and old who are faced with similar decisions.

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was comforted by this memoir dealing with the aging of Berg’s parents. It was comforting to know that what I’ve been feeling as I deal with my husband’s dementia is not that different from the experiences of others. I understood the anger and resentment of Berg’s mother. I understood how its difficult to express this anger appropriately. If you find yourself dealing with a spouse or parents who need to move into a safer place, this book is for you. I’m tempted to buy several copies to have on hand as gifts.

3.5
As someone who went through a very familiar situation 15 years ago it was quite painful to read Berg's story, but it was also comforting, because as we all know, misery loves company.
I'd admire her ability to write down all that happened in the moment and to not be afraid to reveal her own emotions. There is a fair amount of anger and resentment that occurs when dealing with elderly parents as well as the love and sadness.

This book hit close to home as I have experienced my parents’ descent into Alzheimers and ultimate death (3 years apart). Berg’s insightful comments touched my heart, reminded me of bittersweet memories. A heartbreaking memoir, beautiful and relatable.

Quite a few years ago I picked up a copy of Open House by Elizabeth Berg. It just so happened it came out at almost exactly the same time I was in a similar situation as Sam, the main character. Her voice was like reading my own story right in front of me, and I was smitten from those first few pages; her story was mine.

From that time I have read nearly every word Elizabeth Berg has written, including her current Facebook posts. She speaks to me, through me in her writings. In this latest story, a memoir, she tells a different story, but her words create the same kind of mood and emotions that always strike me as my own. This story, I'll Be Seeing You, is the story of Elizabeth and her sibling's journey through role reversal with their aging parents. Father is a retired WWII and Korean veteran. He was always stern and rigid until one day Elizabeth was able to reconcile with his demeanor, and he to soften his militant ways. He has always adored their mother. his wife, and put her first in every manner. Mom was the classic suburban housewife of the 50s and following decades; always putting her family first before her own needs, but also always knowing her husband adored her.

Mom and dad are now elderly; dad has memory issues and mom is tired and to the breaking point. Suddenly, or maybe gradually, the task of having her adoring husband following her every step has become too much. This is the story of siblings moving their parents from their home of 45 years into smaller assisted living quarters, and the battles which ensued. I think of my mothers, both gone now before these type of decisions needed to be made. It makes me consider my own father; still youthful, yet aging. It makes me think of what it will be like for me, myself, when that time comes - who will help me settle in as Elizabeth and her siblings did their parents? I find myself looking around my own home - I have lived here on this property for 38 years now. The time will come, yet it is hard to imagine, much like as a child it is hard to comprehend getting to teen aged years. It is unfathomable, as it is to a teen, how to arrive at that place where no one tells you where to go, how to act, what to do. This story is about the phases of life each of us go through, and that there is no perfect one solution to any situation.

In the end acknowledgements; to those readers who said "this will help so many people." That is so true. Thank you, Random House, for the opportunity to read it. Thank you, Elizabeth Berg, for writing it.

Watching our parents age and seeing roles reversed can be a devastatingly painful experience for many, but in Berg’s new memoir she candidly writes about the process and does it wonderfully. Filled with hope, love, humor, despair, letting go and precious moments, she takes us through her journey as her father gets the heartbreaking diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, the move from the family home and the impact it has on family. Anyone who is (or has) navigated through these life alternating changes will find this honestly written memoir heart touching.

I knew I wanted to read I’ll Be Seeing You as soon as I read the summary description. Alzheimer’s is too present in my life and the recurring and unwelcome visits to those around me leave me feeling so sad and helpless. Having the firsthand knowledge as a companion to reading this memoir created a strong, personal, and familiar connection to the lives and characters before me. I could sympathize and commiserate, yet I was also able to look at it in a different point of view since my own parents thankfully have not been the ones afflicted with this horrible disease.

I loved the prologue. The personal and slightly humorous opening set the preface for the rest of the book. The prose was easy and comfortable, and promised more to come.

Elizabeth Berg is a very talented author and I became a huge fan of hers after reading The Story of Arthur Truluv. I knew I would not be disappointed when reading this book. I commend her for sharing her personal and emotional life with us.

Endearing story of the author's parents, and how the whole family coped with aging and illness. The decision of caring for one's elderly parents at home or moving them to an assisted living facility have to be made. The decisions necessary to complete a living will. This story was well written and thoughtfully written.

I’ll Be Seeing You rang heartbreakingly true to me. My family is in the early stages of figuring out how to deal with a parent with dementia but we are already having the same issues Berg recounts. It is hard to know when you are helping or when you are making things worse. There don’t seem to be any easy answers so it helps to see that Berg and her siblings don’t do everything perfectly. This is life.

Elizabeth Berg is an author who I love her work and this one was a heart-warming tale of what makes us human.

Berg writes the account of caring for her parents in their declining years. Her father is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and I had a grandfather with Alzheimer's so I could relate. Berg finds herself in the role of care-giver to not just her dad, but her mom as she moves into this new life stage. Berg explores all the options for her parents; finding the necessary care, questioning medical professionals and making difficult decisions such as whether to sell the family home. During all of this she wrestles with feelings of depression and frustration, but also anger and grief, which anyone can understand they are all big decisions. She holds nothing back as she her struggles to make these choices and thinks about her own mortality in the process.
Such a beautiful book, keep some tissues handy but be ready to enjoy some laughs too. Berg's writing is lyrical and real as always.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this ARC!

This was so well written and captured all the feelings that one goes through while dealing with the caregiving of family. If you've been there, this is so relatable; if you haven't, it gives you a good idea of what it's like to experience, with all the frustration, anger, humor, grace and love that you feel. You can feel the love and warmth in this family even when they are at odds.

If you have admired Elizabeth Berg’s heart-warming tales of what makes us human, then you will love her memoir, “I’ll be Seeing You.”

Here, Ms. Berg writes the account of caring for her parents in their declining years. The author’s dad is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and as happens to many adult children, Ms. Berg finds herself in the role of care-giver to not just her dad, but her mom as she moves into this new life stage. Like many of us who have aging parents, the author grapples with finding the necessary care for her parents, questioning medical professionals and making difficult decisions such as whether to sell the family home. At the same time, she wrestles with not just feelings of depression and frustration, but also anger and grief. Ms. Berg holds nothing back as she her struggles to make choices that her parents won’t necessarily agree with and at the same time, looks ahead at her own mortality.

You need at least one box of Kleenex tissues to get through this book. Don’t worry, that sadness will be balanced with plenty of humor in true Berg style.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an opportunity to read this novel.

Wow.
Kudos, Elizabeth Berg, on a really fine book.

Sometimes a book just comes along at the right time and it resonates so deeply. That happened with me while reading "I'll Be Seeing You." Elizabeth and her sister's experiences with her parents parallel in many, many ways what is happening with my family circle right now. It was incredibly helpful to read about the feelings that she and her sister were having, her take on each of her parents' emotions, trials and responses.

I will absolutely be sending a copy of this book to my sisters-in-law. I think the men might be too close to see it/read about it but it will help us to help them talk it through and navigate it.. and sooner or later we will be doing the same.

My deepest thanks to Ms Berg for writing this book. It is indeed helpful to others. This has been the most impactful book I have read in 2020 and I will be actively recommending it!

Crossposted to Goodreads and also will post on Amazon.