4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
This book, Living in Color by Mike Murphy - is the true story of Margot’s battle against cancer - her experiences shared with her husband, Mike, who stood by her every inch of the way. The book is written by Mike after Margot left this world for greener pastures. It took five years to write and was published 10 years after Margot’s death.
The book starts with a visit to the oncologist, nine years after the initial breast cancer diagnosis, when it is found that the cancer had spread to Margot’s brain. Margot’s bravery and courageousness is unquestionable. Mike goes on to remember meeting Margot at his car business for the first time in the year 2000, when she arrived at his business, unannounced, selling advertising. Their attraction to one another was immediate and intense and led to Mike and Margot eventually divorcing their spouses. The book is interspersed with flashbacks to days gone by, their relationship, the initial cancer diagnosis in 2002, their marriage in 2006, the realisation in 2007 that Margot would never have a baby due to the further spread of cancer and many other blissful and heartbreaking times during their time together.
I enjoyed this book, notwithstanding the heartbreak, sadness and disappointments that the families had to endure over this period of time. Margot’s attitude is heartwarming, heartbreaking and encouraging, especially in the light of my own recent diagnosis and what might or might not lie ahead for me - she always remained positive, throughout all her pain and suffering.
There is nothing that I did not enjoy about this book except, perhaps, that we mere mortals have to face reality, head on, when it is dealt to us, whether we like it or not – it is very hard not to think “Why me?” In this case, “why them” – when Mike and Margot were so blissfully happy in their newfound love?
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars and I would recommend this book to any reader who is drawn to “true to life” genres. It might be disturbing to some of us who have been “diagnosed” and are in remission, by stirring up feelings of “this could happen to me”.
According to the copy of this book downloaded from Online Book Club, the title is In Living Color: A Love Story, in Sickness and in Health. However, the title is shown as Living in Color: A Story of Love, in Sickness and in Health elsewhere on the Internet. The one error I found was in the Preface, the second page – the date shown is July 2022.
******
Living in Color
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
