The Leisure Seeker ~ Michael Zadoorian. (2009)
Book Blurb.
The unforgettable cross country journey of a runaway couple in their twilight years determined to meet the end of all roads on their own terms
The Leisure Seeker” is the story of John and Ella Robina, a couple married 50+ years – she has stopped her cancer treatments, he has Alzheimer’s – who kidnap themselves from the adult children and the doctors who seem to run their lives, and steal off on a forbidden vacation…..”
A ‘small short’ easy to read book containing a lot to think about and digest.
It Is as described, about 2 seniors who, without telling their children, go off on a trip – making their way down Route 66 (or what’s left of it) to Disneyland – in their very old motor home.
Much of it is about how they relate to each other, how Ella copes with John’s dementia- the strains of illnesses progressing with no cure in sight for either of them.
There is lots of love shown by John when he’s lucid, bickering by both of them when things don’t go quite right. Accepting their children are worried yet determined to do this trip – to the end of the road.
And it’s at the end of the road that the touchy subject is raised. John didn’t know it but neither of them were going home.
Seemingly promoted as a romantic comedy….yes at times it’s a ‘fun humorous’ read – but it’s much more than that.
It makes you wonder about ageing, terminal illnesses, then (spoiler)‘…..’mercy killing aka murder/suicides’ – are they ‘loving or selfish’ acts.
As much as you loved someone- would you do it?
… … … …
Read February 2023.
I saw this recommended on another blog – true to form I’ve forgotten where!.
I’m wondering if anyone else has read this book – if so, how did you feel about it?
A professional review
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-feb-17-et-book17-story.html
Linking to Wednesday’s Words & Pics hosted by Denyse.
Still Waters 
I have seen this film on tv a couple of times. Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren are wonderful. Sometimes it’s funny sometimes it’s sad. Sometimes you wonder about the love that keeps them together right till their end. I’d watch it again if it comes up
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I wouldn’t mind seeing the film….to see how true to the word they kept it. Might have to find out if it’s available anywhere on the net
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I shall search for the book. Until our governments can unravel the difficult situations around assisted suicide, I fear the murder suicide scenarios will continue. There was one recently I believe. Would I do it? I would like to think I would if it saved someone I love from pain and indignity.
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The idea is intriguing- do you love someone enough to rid them of their pain and go yourself as well
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The million$ question. I’ve no idea…
I shall look for the book, sounds like some information that could help one at that pointy end of life.
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The novel doesn’t touch on the the subject of euthanasia, it’s via the storyline the reader goes through all the emotional build up of the final very drastic ending. From the rare news reports we hear, deciding (because of terminal illness in both you and your partner) to end both lives is not unheard of, more often it’s a a well person relieving another of their pain and taking their own life at the same time
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Hari OM
I believe we ought to have the choice… but that choice must always lie with ourselves and herein lies the real bugbear; how to measure competency in such decision making… YAM xx
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The choice for us to leave this life is there in some of our states – under strict regulations. There are no regulations for the situation (like in this novel) where an individual decides they are going to ‘help’ their partner and themselves by taking theirs and their partners life….it’s not an unknown situation but definitely not a common one
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It sounds rather interesting. These are things we think about as our mortality presses down on us. While legal in Victoria to end your life with a simple drug, after jumping through hoops, generally our medical profession seems to take care of real suffering. If I saw my partner in distress and pain and it was clear the end was near, I would urge doctors to increase his pain relief, which is kind of what they do now anyway. I’ll let the giant of what doctors do sleep. It is for the best.
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I don’t think any of us would want anyone to suffer Andrew and the medicos work hard to that end. The ethical part for us laypeople is when it’s all too much to bear and temptation (planned or otherwise) becomes hard to resist. Assisting (whether requested or not) and then taking your own life appears to be the answer for some.
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Like Linda we have seen the movie version on TV and would watch again. Hadn’t realized it was based on a book but your description of the ‘mood’ fits the movie too. Answer to your question – don’t know unless/until faced with personal circumstances. I bet the people portrayed in that story hadn’t discussed or preplanned the denouement in their brighter years.
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The last few sentences left me with my mouth wide open in surprise- I read the build up and still didn’t have a clue what was going to happen. Thinking back there were a couple of things mentioned but they didn’t register. I’d read the book again to see if it ‘read differently’. Must also see if the film is available online anywhere
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We certainly talked about death and our wishes. Neither of us would have contemplated asking the other for help. Nor did either want to prematurely bring about an early end for ourselves. I think it’s so important to discuss this when you are in Good health. Not sure I could cope with this book.
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Most of the book is lighthearted reading Cathy, the twist in the tale at the end when the wife makes a decision that affects them both. There are clues along the way which only fall into place at the end.
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Would you … travel away from doctors and children with my beloved one in old, decrepit age? YES!
Say No thank you to life-prolonging treatments? YES!
Would you accept or assist in euthanasia? Just as emphatical NO.
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This just a story Charlotte but the question of assisting then taking your own life is what the ending is all about. And it’s good to have your own thoughts and ideas on the subject- which may or may not change in certain circumstances
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I have in recent years seen quite a few friends and family undergo treatment to prolong their lives. I have seen them suffer the side effects for a few months, in some cases only weeks more. And I have decided only to accept this kind of treatment if there’s either a large possibility of a cure or a substantially longer time here. I opt to choose quality over quantity, three fairly good weeks over three months of sufferings. And when we reach the last stretch, palliative treatment in Denmark is very good, albeit mostly soulless. So euthanasia is not an option, not for me in any case.
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This book raises interesting questions. I don’t know what I would do under the circumstances. I think there are many nuances to consider. I watched my parents struggle with the treatment issue during my mother’s last illness. It’s not as straight forward as it seems from a distance. Pain and lucidity play a big role in making those decisions.
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Thanks for your comment Jane….it certainly is a difficult situation to contemplate. As you say there is so much to take into consideration. It was an interesting exercise thinking about this after reading what appeared on the surface to be a ‘fun read’
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This is a huge subject. Are there any ‘right’ answers? I hope and pray I never have to face this dilemma.
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Me too! I don’t think all the talk now would have any bearing on how one acted ‘on the day’
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I have not heard of this book before but am intrigued. This is indeed a difficult, complex subject.
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Very difficult to comprehend indeed
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Sure is a post that got many of your readers commenting. I am in a particularly interesting stage, with us nearing our mid 70s, and my Dad 99. Life, and death and all the in between stuff we have all talked about and we have legal plans for sure…but in the end? None of us know. So pleased to see your blog post for this week’s Wednesday’s Words and Pics. Looking forward to next week if you are sharing a post then. Thank you for being part of the WWandP community. Denyse.
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It’s not something many of us would contemplate in the usual run of life but there might be very ‘demanding’ circumstances where it’s all too much for one partner to cope so they make the decision to put the other out of their ‘misery’ and take their own life at the same time.
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Hi Cathy, this book sounds like it kinda resonates with all I’m going through with my Mum at the moment. Aging is not for the feint hearted. The ending of it sounds far too emotional and difficult for me to comprehend or think about though. Interesting to see in comments that it’s a film also!
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I think it might be too emotional for you Min….but the thought that some in the community might contemplate it as the only solution to end the pain and distress in one life and take theirs at the same time
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