This is a family drama that challenges a full range of emotions. Hanna is the glamorous air hostess who embraces healthy eating, keeping fit and yoga. Walter is the father who embraces the conventional - order, routine and hard work are the order of the day. Biddy is the wonderful mum with a heart of gold who is loved by everybody, and who also has debilitating Alzherimer's.
The effects of Alzheimer's is a subject close to my heart, as my nan suffered with dementia. One day she could be the life of the party - drinking, singing and laughing - and then the next morning it was as if it never happened. And yet, because she lived in the moment, she was often very happy. And then next moment she would be terrified and abusive to those closest to her, begging to be taken home, even though she hadn't lived in her house for years.
Time to Let Go is an important piece of fiction because doesn't only address the effects of Alzheimer's on the victim, but on the closest family. What is the best way of dealing with the disease? There is no right or wrong answer. My mum used to get very frustrated, and I'd reassure her that it wasn't Nan's fault. But then, I wasn't the one who had to look after her night and day, was I? Walter seeks to give Biddy a routine that does not confuse her - waking up at a set time, breakfast at a set time, etc. His daughter, Hanna, has a different approach. She wants to expose Biddy to variety and things she may enjoy - yoga, swimming and massages. Walter dismisses this as 'hippy' rubbish, until he observes how happy Biddy is.
The novel is very well crafted. There are a number of story-lines that overlap and piece together nicely. What is the full story behind Hanna and the death on her airline? Why is sibling Henrik, who appears to have it all, so jealous of Hanna's relationship with their other brother, Patrick? And why does Patrick seem to be so distant?
If you enjoy novels that make you think, that questions your beliefs and understanding and that has characters with great depth, then I definitely recommend Time to Let Go.
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