The Unraveling of Reverend G by RJ Thesman

"The Unraveling of Reverend G" is RJ Thesman's first fiction book. It was just released this month, August, 2012.

"When Reverend G hears the devastating diagnosis — dementia with the possibility of early-onset Alzheimer’s — she struggles with the pain of forgetting those she loves and the fear of losing her connection with God. With the help of her friends at the assisted living facility, Bert, a farmer from Oklahoma, Roxie, the stressed-out activities director and Gabriel, a cat with the gift of forecasting death, she soon discovers there’s humor to be found in forgetting part of the Lord’s Prayer, finding her iron in the freezer and losing a half-gallon of ice cream. And she discovers that while the question she wants to ask is, ‘Why,’ the answer really is, ‘Who.’"

This is the second book of fiction that I've read about dementia - Alzheimers. The first one was several years ago and it was "Still Alice" - you can read my review of that book H.E.R.E.

That book was much different than Thesman's book. In "The Unraveling of Reverend G", you immediately feel like your reading about your mother or a dear aunt. It's as if you are right there with Rev G exploring this new life with her. 

My mother-in-law, Anne, suffered with dementia and I could see her in Rev G. They share a like faith. In the last year of Anne's life, she hardly talked at all, but she would hum and sing "Amazing Grace." I know it was a comfort to her to have that hymn in her mind - but it was also a comfort to her family, knowing that her faith was sustaining her.


I greatly appreciated Rev G's yearning for not losing her relationship with God. For her sincere, casual way of conversing with God. It's the way I talk to God so this book was very natural for me to empathize with.  At the beginning of her diagnosis she says to God "...  As this disease progresses, please don't let me ever lose the joy of hearing your voice. Do not let me forget you..." What an honest yearning for one knowing all they are familiar with may be lost. Rev G realizes she will forget people. Even people she loves. But she longs for assurance throughout the book that she will not forget God and all that He has meant to her. 

Thesman was able to let the reader appreciate the "comedic" relief that we need when coping with dementia. There were true to life people in Rev G's life that I enjoyed meeting. - And she had a cat!! Had to appreciate that a pet can bring such comfort to those in need of that comfort.

This is an exceptional job for RJ Thesman's first journey into fiction. Her book was easy to read and very well written. It's a good read and it's also a fast read. I would suggest it for book clubs just because of the discussion that it would generate. 

"RJ Thesman earned an education degree and taught at various levels. She is a Biblical counselor and a Stephen Minister. She has worked in a variety of nonprofits and has served as campus minister to international students. With a variety of communications skills, Thesman is always writing."

 You can read more about her and Rev G H.E.R.E.

I know RJ personally and Randy and I went to Lawrence last weekend for one of her book signings! She is the sister to one of my very best friends from High School!!

 

  We had a great time seeing Rebecca and 

getting our signed copy of "The Unraveling of Rev G."

You can read about our day in Lawrence H.E.R.E.

I highly recommend you get acquainted with Rev G.