Next to You: Caron's Courage Remembered by Her Mother

I used to consider myself as a resilient reader unable to be moved by emotion when reading until I picked this book up. I found this autobiography utterly compelling and was moved by Gloria Hunniford's account of her daughter's losing battle with cancer. Caron's experience touched me in so many ways and teaches the reader the value of living every second as though (ironically), is your last.
Caron Keating was grieving the death of her father when she discovered a lump in her breast and the book indirectly infers that her diagnosis may have been the result of a broken heart. Caron fought until the end but could never accept that she was dying testing the fortitude of her close family and friends. Her husband is truly remarkable and moves heaven and earth in this book to enhance the quality of life. Caron was consumed by her illness in the end and this is manifested through her search for alternative therapies until the very end. Prepare to be moved, this is a heart rending story.

A beautiful and loving tribute. (1/2 people found this helpful)

Gloria Hunniford does Caron proud in this wonderful book that depicts Caron's life.

It would have been all too easy for Gloria to show the readers only the most positive aspects of Caron's character and to leave out her flaws but she hasn't done that here. She paints a picture of a daughter who could be wilful and stubborn but also tenacious, funny, imaginative and above all loving - as a wife, daughter, sister and mother.

The strength of the authors special relationship with her daughter shines through the pages of this book. It really touched a cord with me when Gloria poignantly recalls seeing mothers and daughters out shopping after Caron had died and envying them their afternoon out together - the kind of normal mother/daughter 'thing' that she can never experience again.

This is a really honest record of Caron's life from beginning to the too early end. Written in a very readable way with anecdotes, memories, some gorgeous photographs and a very personal tribute from Gloria to Caron at the end, I would thoroughly recommend it.

Brutally honest, written from the heart. (2/3 people found this helpful)

A biography-esque book that looks at life through different perspectives. On one hand you find a loving mum telling the story how she saw it and on the other the daughters version of how things really were. A book that features love, fame, anger and a brutal disease that ended a beautiful young womans life prematurely. Most books I read if I like them I cant put down, this one I had to to wipe the tears that were streaming down my face. I bought this book for my mum for Xmas who was then diagnosed with breast cancer two months later. I am sure this book was an inspiration to her and to all the family. I am now reading the book for a second time to ensure I didnt miss anything. I cant recommend this book highly enough but be warned have some tissues handy. ps My mum is okay.

Disappointing (4/5 people found this helpful)

I was eager to read this book but it actually told the reader very little of breast cancer. I also think the title was a misnomer as having read the book Caron was not at all courageous she was totally in denial which is fine, I'm not saying I would be any different but I'm surprised everyone praised her for her courage when it was clear that she never really confronted her illness to the extent where she didn't even make a will.

I didn't think the book was at all well written either although it is good that inspite of the incredibly close relationship mother and daughter shared that Gloria did not idealise Caron and portrayed her warts and all.

It is a shame that Caron refused the tamoxifen she was offered after her initial diagnosis and also refused a 2nd mastectomy or didn't have a mastectomy at the outset which may have resulted in a better outcome. Also this book has made me even more sceptical of alternative therapies.
It also struck me as incredibly sad that Caron felt do embarrassed and ashamed of her illness as cancer used to carry a huge stigma and some cancers probably still do but I thought we'd moved on from all of that.

Her husband certainly came across as being a saint and having put up with an awful lot as well as put his own life on hold for 7 years and I hope that he is happy with his new wife as he did not deserve any of the criticism he got for remarrying. My heart goes out to them all, especially Gloria as I can't imagine anything worse than losing a child.

A special book about a special lady. (1/2 people found this helpful)

There was always something about Caron that made you want to watch her on tv.She had a lovely way about her and you could tell that family life was important to her.Gloria has written of this family life in an honest and beautifully written book.The relationship between the two of them is as special as a mother daughter relationship could ever be.I would highly recommend this moving book but be ready for tears and heartache.

Next to You: Caron's Courage Remembered by Her Mother

Gloria Hunniford

Reader Reviews:

A moving account of Caron Keating's battle through cancer (1/1 people found this helpful)

A beautiful and loving tribute. (1/2 people found this helpful)

Brutally honest, written from the heart. (2/3 people found this helpful)

Disappointing (4/5 people found this helpful)

A special book about a special lady. (1/2 people found this helpful)

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