Left - by Mary Hogan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this beautifully crafted novel from the author of the critically-acclaimed Two Sisters, comes the story of a woman who retreats into a fantasy world on New York City's Upper West Side as she slowly loses her once whip-smart husband to dementia--perfect for fans of Still Alice.

When life falls apart, a little fantasy goes a long way...

It started as a dream vacation in Spain, with Fay and Paul Agarra enjoying all the delights of a European holiday. A respected New York City judge, Paul has always been the man Fay can rely on, no matter what. When he inexplicably disappears from a Barcelona street corner, Fay knows something is terribly wrong. Once reunited, Paul shrugs off the episode as a simple misunderstanding--but Fay suspects her almost perfect life has taken a dark and sudden turn.

Soon there are more signs that Paul is beginning to change. Bouts of forgetfulness lead to mistakes in the courtroom. Simple tasks cause unexplainable outbursts of anger. Fay's worst suspicions are realized when she learns her husband--her rock, her love, her everything--is succumbing to the ravages of dementia.

As her husband transforms before her very eyes, Fay copes with her fears by retreating into a fantasy life filled with promise instead of pain. In Fay's invented world, she imagines herself living a glamorous life free from heartache, with a handsome neighbor she barely knows rescuing her from a future she can't accept.

Poignant and beautifully crafted, Left is an unforgettable tale about life's aching uncertainties--and a woman who discovers that somewhere between hope and reality, an unexpected future will find its way forward.

From the Back Cover

When life falls apart, a little fantasy goes a long way . . .

It started as a dream vacation in Spain, with Fay and Paul Agarra enjoying all the delights of a European holiday. A respected New York City judge, Paul has always been the man Fay can rely on no matter what. When he inexplicably disappears from a Granada street corner, Fay knows something is terribly wrong. Once they are reunited, Paul shrugs off the episode as a simple misunderstanding--but Fay suspects her almost perfect life has taken a dark and sudden turn.

Soon there are more signs that Paul is beginning to change. Bouts of forgetfulness lead to mistakes in the courtroom. Simple tasks cause unexplainable outbursts of anger. Fay's worst suspicions are realized when she learns her husband--her rock, her love, her everything--is succumbing to the ravages of dementia.

As her husband transforms before her very eyes, Fay copes with her fears by retreating into a fantasy life filled with promise instead of pain. In Fay's invented world, she imagines herself living a glamorous life free from heartache, with a handsome neighbor she barely knows rescuing her from a fate she can't accept.

Poignant and beautifully crafted, Left is an unforgettable tale about life's agonizing uncertainties--and a woman who discovers that somewhere between hope and reality an unexpected future will find its way forward.

Review Quotes

Prasie for Two Sisters: "A mesmerizing journey into the secrets that can split apart brothers and sisters, children and their parents. It's the perfect read for anyone who knows the way families can hold you up while breaking your heart." - Lauren Grodstein
"Hogan (The Woman in the Photo, 2016) does a good job of mixing humor and heartbreak in this sharply observed novel, drawn from her own experience." - Booklist
"A must read for everyone who is a sister, never had a sister and wished for one, or simply longs for a page turning novel that holds you in its tender, often hilarious and poignant grip from page one. [...] Loaded with emotion, laughter, surprise and ultimately the message of the fragility of life, TWO SISTERS will burn through the sisterhood of book clubs like a fever." - Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Shoemaker's Wife
Praise for The Woman in the Photo: "A mesmerizing journey into the secrets that can split apart brothers and sisters, children and their parents. It's the perfect read for anyone who knows the way families can hold you up while breaking your heart." - Lauren Grodstein
"[A] fraught, fascinating family drama." - Booklist
"A fascinating snapshot of two women separated by time--each compelling in her own right--who together make for a novel so appealing you can't stop reading. Well-researched history and modern intrigue, original and heartfelt.... a thoroughly captivating novel." - MJ Rose, New York Times bestselling author
"A touching novel. The book poignantly portrays Fay's struggle to come to terms with...uncomfortable yet necessary questions about the conditions of love." - Publishers Weekly
"Book clubs will find much to discuss in this fraught, fascinating family drama." - Booklist