| Ravenscraig: A Scottish family's struggle with Alzheimer's-and the past Contributor(s): Marshall, Alex (Author), Marshall, Cam (Illustrator), Corpuz, Gina (Editor) |
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ISBN: 1460258460 ISBN-13: 9781460258460 Publisher: FriesenPress OUR PRICE: $38.24 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: November 2015 * Not available - Not in print at this time * |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Family & Relationships | Death, Grief, Bereavement |
| Physical Information: 1.19" H x 5.5" W x 8.5" (1.63 lbs) 480 pages |
| Themes: - Topical - Death/Dying - Topical - Family |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Ravenscraig is a post WWII fictionalized memoir told from the perspective of Alasdair Marshall who is raising his son Ewan, by himself, after his wife's death. When Alasdair's father Alex is struck with Alzheimer's, Jean, Alex's wife admits him to a full-time care facility called Ravenscraig which has a dark history as a lunatic asylum. The hospital becomes an ever present reminder to Alasdair of his father's deterioration. Jean is overwhelmed by the stress of Alzheimer's and the guilt of removing her husband from his home. Psychologically embattled, she begins to see the spirits of departed relatives. Finally, unable to cope and suffering from emphysema and osteoporosis, she moves to England to live with her daughter Margaret. Alasdair is compelled to examine his relationships with his father, mother and sisters by reliving childhood memories, good and bad. He remembers his family having to live in a cramped, three bedroom apartment with his grandparents, three uncles and an aunt. Clashing personalities and violent tempers are a constant threat to the calm of everyday life. However, Alasdair recalls happy times when the home was filled with laughter, humor and music. Although Ewan is upset that his grandpa doesn't remember him, he finds solace through the healing power of music. When he plays his bagpipes and his grandpa plays his accordion, they are reunited. Although Alzheimer's takes a terrible toll, ultimately it fails to destroy a family determined to reconcile the past with the present and overcome a troubled past.... |
Contributor Bio(s): Marshall, Alex: - Alex was born in Greenock, Scotland in 1943. His passion for music began in his early years and continued into his adult life as a piper with the Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band. He enjoys singing and playing his guitar. His love of soccer gave him the opportunity to play semi-professionally with Port Glasgow Juniors. Following a brief career as a policeman in Greenock, he emigrated to Sydney, Australia in 1964 to pursue a career in education. He graduated from Alexander Mackie Teachers College with a teaching certificate and taught for three years as an elementary school teacher in Sydney. To augment his salary, he played semi-professional soccer with Cumberland United. In 1970, he moved to British Columbia, Canada, where he began a thirty-six year career in education as a teacher, principal and Director of Instruction. Alex earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada majoring in English with a minor in History. He has a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Victoria, Canada. After his retirement, he and his wife Gina moved to Kingston, Washington near Bainbridge Island where Gina grew up. Retirement has allowed Alex time to enjoy family and friends, write his first novel and play the bagpipes at cultural events. Alex has two children, both married, who live in British Columbia. He is especially proud of his two beautiful grandchildren. His grandson Cameron created the illustration for the Ravenscraig book cover.... |