The Man He Used To Be: Dementia and My Mad Dad

(Paperback)

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'This is a wonderful, rather special book: funny, warm and loving but also thought-provoking and deeply moving. Absolutely unforgettable - ironically.'

ADAM KAY, Sunday Times bestselling author of This Is Going To Hurt

Inadvertent cross-dressing. Attempted murder. Jail break. A waltz at a funeral. A hernia the size of Guernsey.

Heartbreaking and darkly comic, these are the moments that litter the messy road from cared-for to carer, a journey that Robyn Hollingworth finds herself on when she's only twenty-five years old.

Leaving London to return home to rural South Wales, Robyn finds that it's her old life - same teddy bears resting on her pillow, their bodies tucked under the duvet; same view of the garages behind which she'd had her first cigarette and first kiss - but so much has changed.

Her dad, the proud, charmingly intelligent, self-made man who made people laugh, is in the grip of early onset Alzheimer's. His brilliant mind, which saw him building power stations and literally bringing light into the lives of others, has succumbed to darkness.

As Robyn settles back in the rhythms of life in the rain-soaked vast Welsh valleys, she keeps a diary charting her journey as the dad she knew disappears before her eyes. Lyrical, poignant and with flashes of brilliant humour, The Man He Used To Be explores how in helping others we can heal ourselves.

Previously published in hardback as My Mad Dad.

Reviews

'This is a wonderful, brilliant book that also made me laugh. Robyn writes so honestly and normally. I fell in love with her mum and "mad" dad.' VICTORIA DERBYSHIRE

A testament to love, finding strength through humour and the bonds that make us who we are. - STYLIST ONLINE

A funny, sad and uplifting memoir that unravels Alzheimer's and the unexpected joy of caring for others. - EMERALD STREET

A beautiful book that's full of truth. If you're caring for someone with Alzheimer's, this will hit a note. - WOMAN'S WAY

It also has its own beauty, and we couldn't recommend it more. - HELLO!

Darkly funny and never without hope. - RED

Author Bio

During her father's struggle with Alzheimer's, Robyn Hollingworth returned home to rural South Wales to care for him, during which time she kept an open and frank diary about her experience. Robyn lives in Cardiff, Wales with her husband, son and dog. You can follow her on Twitter @MyMadDadStory