Scar Tissue by Michael Ignatieff

It's election day in Canada.  In preparation for this, I wanted to read a book by one of the party leaders.  The only one that found it's way to my hand was Scar Tissue by Michael Ignatieff leader of the Federal Liberal Party.

While he may be a very good and convincing author, it's unfortunate that he couldn't transfer this to his leadership.  At this hour, it's pretty clear that he is not going to become the leader of the opposition.

This book does not deal with politics at all, unless you want to consider family politics.  This is the story of how two sons deal with their mother's mental deterioration due to Alzheimer's.  This is a cruel ailment that slowly erodes those parts that make make up a person, their memories, emotions and even their habits.  The brothers deal with it in different ways.  One is a doctor and his is a very clinical approach.  He knows he can't save his mother, but hopes that by conducting his research into her case, he can learn and help spare others.  The other is an academic who continues to grasp at any bit of recognition his mother shows, even the barest glimmer.

This book rang very true to me.  For years I watched the changes in my grandfather, and while he would have moments where his memories would break through, they became very few in his last few weeks.  As with the brothers in this story, it was heartbreaking to watch my grandmother visit with him and he didn't recognize her. 

I felt that this book was very well researched, not just from a medical standpoint, but also from the patients point of view.  Mr. Ignatieff carried on a lengthy correspondence with Maurice des Mazes who I will assume was living with Alzheimer's.

I look forward to reading further works by Michael Ignatieff.