Losing Mum and Pup

A Memoir

By: Christopher Buckley

Narrated by: Christopher Buckley

In 12 months between 2007 and 2008, Christopher Buckley coped with the passing of his father, William F. Buckley, the father of the modern conservative movement, and his mother, Patricia Taylor Buckley, one of New York's most glamorous and colorful socialites. He was their only child and their relationship was close and complicated. Writes Buckley: "They were not - with respect to every other set of loving, wonderful parents in the world - your typical mom and dad."

As Buckley tells the story of their final year together, he takes listeners on a surprisingly entertaining tour through hospitals, funeral homes, and memorial services, capturing the heartbreaking and disorienting feeling of becoming a 55-year-old orphan. Buckley maintains his sense of humor by recalling the words of Oscar Wilde: "To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune. To lose both looks like carelessness."

Just as Calvin Trillin and Joan Didion gave readers solace and insight into the experience of losing a spouse, Christopher Buckley offers consolation, wit, and warmth to those coping with the death of a parent, while telling a unique personal story of life with legends.

©2009 Twelve (P)2009 Hachette

Not Just About Losing

My own father was an avid fan of William F Buckley. This got me interested, along with the fact that, like so many, I am dealing with the struggles of an aging parent. Never having read any of Christopher Buckley's material, I didn't know what to expect. Well, despite the subject matter, I found myself laughing out loud in many places throughout the book. It isn't all about the end of life issues, and some of those narratives are funny as well. So the book has given me consolation and laughs at the same time. The author is very talented as a writer and even adds to the words as a narrator.

wonderful wonderful experience.

A great book read by a great author. It is my favorite audio book because of Christopher Buckleys voice.

Absolutely hysterical and heart rending!

A terrific "read" for anyone who has taken care a a terminally ill family member. You will laugh and cry - often at the same time!

Losing loved ones

Engaging story of parents, children and the aging and dying process that will affect us all.

Buckley Gets It Right

Having lost both parents this year I was not sure how Mr Buckley's experience could possibly parallel mine. Not only was there a parallel but there were many, many experiences that were exactly like mine. I laughed, cried, took notes and told my friends. I am profoundly grateful to Christopher Buckley for sharing his most emotional, intimate thoughts and experiences about his Mom and Dad and for making my grieving a bit easier.

Nicely Done!

The New York Times review left me with the impression that this might be a bit snarky, not so much in a "Mommie Dearest" way but perhaps more as an uncomfortable intrusion into famous family private matters. It was anything but that. Christopher Buckley gives us a very thoughtful, heartfelt and self-deprecating account of how he went through the difficult times that we all must face as some point. It's a nice balance of the amusing and sad, including some wonderful family anecdotes. I don't think it takes anything away from the iconic Buckley family luster. Highly recommended!

Five Stars for Christo

Sounds like a cliche but you'll laugh, you'll cry...I loved that this was narrated by the author, I don't know if anyone else could have done it justice. Alternating the happenings of the losing of his parents with remembrances of their remarkable lives, he paints a picture of a uniquely American family.

Fantastic book, made all the better being read by the author.

This book was recommended by a friend. I had heard of his father all my life,of course, but never heard of his son. Nor was aware that he was an author. I was not expecting much but soon discovered that it was written on a level that I loved immensely. I will explore more works by Christopher Buckley.

Remarkable

First, and most importantly, this book is apolitical. Can be read by liberals and conservatives alike. The author has lovingly and critically shared his relationship with his mother and father, in a way that shows the complexity of living with complex people. He shows sides of of Buckley unknown to most of us. Determined, warm, humorous, loving, deeply religious, brave, and most interesting of all, friends with virtually everyone he encountered, Gore Vidal excepted. Warm and feeling tale of lives well lived in accordance with their intelligence, values, humor and love of friends and family. .

Very good reading

Very good reading by the author. Interesting life of WFB and wife, also a little about the circles they moved in in NY. The funeral and memorial descriptions were fascinating. Imagine having memorial service in the Metropolitan art museum. Is it fair to a famous person to have someone document an account of final months and failings? Not sure, but I found the book engrossing.