Saving Ellen: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery by Maura Casey offers a poignant glimpse into the complexities of family dynamics, personal struggle, and unwavering love. Growing up in a large, working-class Irish family in Buffalo, New York, Casey’s childhood was marked by financial hardships and her father’s alcoholism. However, the family’s world was further shaken by her sister Ellen’s prolonged battle with kidney disease. In an era when organ transplants were considered medical miracles, their mother made the bold decision to donate a kidney to Ellen, a choice that profoundly impacted the entire family.
Beyond Ellen’s health struggles, Casey delves into her own journey of overcoming alcoholism and sexual assault. She paints vivid portraits of her family members: her mother, a pragmatic feminist shaped by her World War II Army service, and her father, whose infidelities and regrets added layers of complexity to their family narrative. Despite the challenges, Saving Ellen is ultimately a story of humor, reconciliation, and gratitude.
This memoir will resonate with readers familiar with the challenges of caring for a chronically ill family member and those who have experienced the unique dynamics of a large, complex family. Comparable to works like Monica Wood’s When We Were the Kennedys and Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle, Casey’s story is a testament to resilience and the enduring bonds of family.
