When I Was Young and in My Prime

Munce, Alayna

Primary Category: Literature / Fiction

Genre: Novel

Annotated by:
Duffin, Jacalyn
  • Date of entry: Dec-04-2006

Summary

A young woman observes the slow decline of her grandmother into dementia and her grandfather’s reaction to the situation. Issues of denial, anger, autonomy, and intimacy rise to the surface—and expose the formerly private dimensions of their marriage. The illness also stresses her own relationship and invites the idea that someday she and her partner could be projected into a future with the same vulnerability.

Commentary

An exquisitely beautiful meditation –and handsomely printed. The author’s observations are presented in short “chapters” of only a few paragraphs. They take various forms: a journal, lists, poems, recollections. Some could easily be excerpted for use in the classroom. Munce does not shrink from the horror of memory loss and its cruel impact on family members. But she handles her subject with sensitivity, poignancy, and humour. A remarkable achievement.

Publisher

Nightwood Editions

Place Published

Robert's Creek, B.C., Canada

Edition

2005

Page Count

240