WHEN THE ROLLER COASTER STOPS

"A sensitive novel about a serious reality. Young Bethany is diagnosed with a terminal disease. Kate's in Bethany’s life, often against her better judgement. We sympathise with Bethany as doctors make their uncompromising diagnosis, as she rails against her cruel fate as her health deteriorates. She's nasty, catty, manipulative, vain. Others tell Kate how kind, funny, intelligent and generous Bethany is, but being nice is something she has to learn. Kate is shy, serious & needs a job. She becomes Bethany’s housekeeper, driver, carer, confidante & much loved friend. Kate learns to stand her ground, to face up to Bethany. Kate grows stronger, more determined & confident as Bethany’s illness worsens. Complicated friends cluster around Bethany, and Tarr explores abortion, adoption, jealousy, coming to terms with a friend’s imminent death and so on. The friends go home. Kate is left to clean up & cope week after week with Bethany’s mood swings, sudden whims, sorrow, misery & unexpected bouts of euphoria. Kate's a buffer between Bethany & her visitors but also a shoulder to cry on for those who really love her. It's a very worthwhile handbook for any untrained friend or family member who is to be a loved one’s carer during a terminal illness. Bethany’s journey is far from specific. Much of what Kate learns to deal with can be applied to someone caring for & living with a patient with any other type of cancer. There are no truly gory details & often there is wittiness & laughter; serenity & contentedness. The language is uncomplicated: a sad situation is recounted without using an overly emotional register. Tarr lets her descriptions of the winter weather convey the down-beat sentiments. The book is set in Wellington, but could be almost any coastal city in the world. Tarr has very competently and sensitively dealt with the path of terminal illness from the intertwined view points of patient, carer and friends."

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