Books Butterfly Editorial Reviews

Montpelier Tomorrow by Marylee MacDonald – Editorial Review

Montpelier Tomorrow is a brutally honest book which is masterfully crafted and will take you on an emotional ride you will love and cherish

Please Note: This is our 2nd Editorial Review for Montpelier Tomorrow. You can find our first Montpelier Tomorrow Editorial Review here

Books Butterfly Editorial Review of Montpelier Tomorrow by Marylee MacDonald

Introduction & Context

If asked to describe Montpelier Tomorrow in just 4 words, we’d describe it as – an emotional roller coaster. Marylee MacDonald masterfully blends sorrow and humor in this poignant family life biographical novel

Through the voice of Colleen, the author delivers a brutally honest tale that serves as a scathing critique of our modern healthcare systems. Amidst a myriad of hardships, Montpelier Tomorrow remains an uplifting narrative, showcasing the indomitable human spirit and the unbreakable bonds of family

Main Review

Montpelier Tomorrow weaves a tale that leaves readers yearning for more. The book delves deep into the immediate, lived experience of a family grappling with the challenges posed by ALS

It skillfully captures the impossible choices faced by caregivers, immersing readers in a world that is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming

Please Note: The rest of this review contains mild spoilers

Life has a way of dealing us all a mixed hand of blessings and burdens. We follow Colleen as she strives to guide her daughter, Sandy, through life’s trials, but Sandy keeps her emotions hidden, reluctant to trust her.

In the backdrop, Colleen’s life is filled with profound sadness. First, she mourns the loss of her mother, notwithstanding the the pain of their strained relationship. Then, she becomes a widow while carrying a child. As if that were not enough, more tragedy awaits her in store

As she supports her pregnant daughter, Sandy, in organizing the house and tending to the baby clothes, Colleen discovers that Tony, her son-in-law, is suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Taking on the role of Tony’s caregiver, Colleen bears the weight of his deteriorating condition. Balancing babysitting duties, providing for Tony, and being there for Sandy, she sacrifices her own desires. Her commitment is not solely about salvaging their marriage or preventing Sandy from dwelling on regret

What Colleen truly craves is a close bond with her daughter. However, Tony’s illness threatens to shatter that connection, leaving Colleen to find solace in her job, her life, and her two sons

Despite Sandy’s coldness and complaints about her mother’s presence and “big personality,” Colleen remains steadfast, reminding her daughter that she chose to be there out of love, not obligation. She encourages Sandy to see their collective efforts as a counterweight to fate—a pair of weighing scales where one weight rises as the other falls

Sandy views Tony’s illness as a destructive force, eroding her faith in fate, while the entire world seems to revolve around him

To make matters worse, Colleen is forced to leave her job, as Aldo, her employer, deems his position more important. Aldo and Lillian show little concern for Tony’s illness, treating Colleen as a servant and burdening her with menial tasks

Tragedy strikes once again when Sandy succumbs to Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Left alone to care for her two sons and Tony, Colleen’s resilience is tested. Six years after Sandy’s death, Tony slips into a coma, and the doctors are on the verge of removing life support. Yet, through it all, they forge ahead, facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. There are things to mend—meltdowns and musty lunch boxes—but Colleen no longer faces life alone

Strengths

One of Montpelier Tomorrow’s biggest strengths is that, despite the tough subject matter, it is an uplifting book that showcases the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity

Another big strength is the quality of writing. The author crafts a beautiful tale with a heroine you will grow to love and admire

A third big strength is the depth and relatability of the characters. The protagonist, Colleen, in particular comes across as a very likable and human person

Finally, perhaps the most unique aspect of this book is that it creates a wonderful book full of hope and spirit and humanity and brightness, where there were many opportunities for the author and protagonist to be dragged into despair and darkness

Weaknesses

There are very few weaknesses. The reviewer did not list any weaknesses and we will not nitpick and add something just for the sake of it

Conclusion

Within the storm of life, Colleen emerges as a memorable, flawed, and all-too-human character. Her thoughts and acts of kindness are invaluable gifts to readers, reminding us of the power of love and affection. Her unwavering commitment to her children, Kevin and Sandy, shines through every sacrifice she makes

Montpelier Tomorrow is a must-read for families whose lives have been touched by ALS, as it bravely uncovers the deeper truths of this debilitating disease. Additionally, anyone seeking a book that seamlessly blends sadness and humor will find a profound connection with the central character, Colleen

Montpelier Tomorrow is a great read for readers of Women’s Fiction and Family Drama. It might end up being one of the best books you’ve read in Women’s Fiction in the last couple decades

Overall Recommendation

We highly recommend Montpelier Tomorrow as an extremely well written book that will appeal to anyone who likes superbly crafted books. Even if you don’t normally read women’s fiction and family drama, this book is a gem that anyone who appreciates literature will cherish

Montpelier Tomorrow is strongly recommended for

1. Women’s Fiction readers – 100/100
2. Family Drama/Family Life readers – 100/100
3. Book Lovers who like well written Literature – 100/100

For a general reader, we would still give it a very high 90/100

As far as ALS – the reviewer wholeheartedly recommends Montpelier Tomorrow to all families affected by ALS. The author’s courage in unearthing the profound realities of the disease will resonate deeply with readers

Furthermore, this book is an ideal choice for those who appreciate narratives that skillfully balance moments of sadness and humor. Embark on this journey and connect with the remarkable protagonist, Colleen

Curator’s Thoughts

Montpelier Tomorrow by Marylee MacDonald is a masterfully written book which will make it to your Top 10 Books of the Year list if you give it a chance. Both reviewers absolutely adored it (we did two editorial reviews) and both recommend it very strongly

Montpelier Tomorrow is published by Grand Canyon Press, an Independent Press which focuses on publishing the best authors from the Western American states. Both books we’ve reviewed from Grand Canyon Press have been exemplary

Below is a photograph of the author, Marylee MacDonald

Where to get Montpelier Tomorrow

Montpelier Tomorrow – A Novel by Marylee MacDonald is available

1. In eBook format in the Amazon Kindle Store – Montpelier Tomorrow by Marylee MacDonald
2. As a Paperback at Amazon.com – Montpelier Tomorrow by Marylee MacDonald Paperback

The Author website is at MaryleeMacdonald.com. There is also a page for Montpelier Tomorrow with links to the various book stores (such as Apple and B&N)

The Marylee MacDonald Author Page at Amazon lists all her books, many of which have won prizes and awards

Of particular interest to self published authors would be Marylee MacDonald’s guide to Small Publishers and Independent Publishers which covers over 350 small presses, university presses, and independent publishers that take ‘unagented’ submissions, including Grand Canyon Press (the publisher for Montpelier Tomorrow)