Unforgettable: A Son, a Mother, and the Lessons of a Lifetime

Simon delivers a powerful and heartfelt reading of his memoir, which recounts the last week he spent with his mother. As he sits by her hospital bed, Simon flashes back to various childhood memories, revealing a portrait of a gracious, elegant woman and a loving mother. Simon portrays his mother with steady, deliberate pacing that reveals her unending patience, love, and selflessness, while his inflections convey her calm consideration of the questions he asked. In revealing his memories, it is clear how Simon himself has adopted her ability to focus on the positive aspects in situations, embracing life and love in all gestures. While Simon offers accents and character voices to inject humor and lighten some of his recollections, he also allows for deft pauses and slow delivery to emphasize his awe and respect, such as when referring to nurses in the ICU. Simon provides thought-provoking social commentary on some of the paradoxes of the elderly in the United States and doctors who think they know it all. These observations are made all the more poignant by Simon's evocative portrayal of his mother during their frustrating and anxious search to find a doctor who would listen to what she was saying. Simon's moving story and narration is a beautiful tribute to his mother. A Flatiron hardcover. (Mar.)