Losing Mum and Pup

A Memoir

By: Christopher Buckley

Narrated by: Christopher Buckley

In twelve months between 2007 and 2008, Christopher Buckley coped with the passing of his father, William F. Buckley, the father of the modern conservative movement, and his mother, Patricia Taylor Buckley, one of New York's most glamorous and colorful socialites. He was their only child and their relationship was close and complicated. Writes Buckley: "They were not - with respect to every other set of loving, wonderful parents in the world - your typical mom and dad."

As Buckley tells the story of their final year together, he takes readers on a surprisingly entertaining tour through hospitals, funeral homes, and memorial services, capturing the heartbreaking and disorienting feeling of becoming a 55-year-old orphan. Buckley maintains his sense of humor by recalling the words of Oscar Wilde: "To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune. To lose both looks like carelessness."

Just as Calvin Trillin and Joan Didion gave readers solace and insight into the experience of losing a spouse, Christopher Buckley offers consolation, wit, and warmth to those coping with the death of a parent, while telling a unique personal story of life with legends.

Critic reviews

"One of the funniest writers in the English language."—Tom Wolfe

"One of the rarest political specimens-- the authentically comic writer."—Boston Globe

"An accomplished comic novelist and raucously funny political satirist."—Sunday Times of London

"The quinessential political novelist of our time."—Fortune

Not Just About Losing

My own father was an avid fan of William F Buckley. This got me interested, along with the fact that, like so many, I am dealing with the struggles of an aging parent. Never having read any of Christopher Buckley's material, I didn't know what to expect. Well, despite the subject matter, I found myself laughing out loud in many places throughout the book. It isn't all about the end of life issues, and some of those narratives are funny as well. So the book has given me consolation and laughs at the same time. The author is very talented as a writer and even adds to the words as a narrator.

wonderful wonderful experience.

A great book read by a great author. It is my favorite audio book because of Christopher Buckleys voice.

Absolutely hysterical and heart rending!

A terrific "read" for anyone who has taken care a a terminally ill family member. You will laugh and cry - often at the same time!

Losing loved ones

Engaging story of parents, children and the aging and dying process that will affect us all.

Buckley Gets It Right

Having lost both parents this year I was not sure how Mr Buckley's experience could possibly parallel mine. Not only was there a parallel but there were many, many experiences that were exactly like mine. I laughed, cried, took notes and told my friends. I am profoundly grateful to Christopher Buckley for sharing his most emotional, intimate thoughts and experiences about his Mom and Dad and for making my grieving a bit easier.