Laugh and Cry with ‘Sandwich’ by Catherine Newman: A Review @CatheriNewman @HarperCollins

‘Sandwich’ offers a heartfelt and humorous exploration of midlife challenges, family dynamics, and the bittersweet beauty of life’s transitions

Summary:

For two decades, Rocky has cherished her family’s yearly trips to their Cape Cod rental, filled with sweet memories and occasional messes. This year’s vacation, amid hormonal changes and family dynamics, brings both joy and challenges. As events unfold, Rocky confronts her past, revealing long-hidden secrets to her loved ones.

My Thoughts:

Let me start by saying how much I connected to this book. While I’m a little older than Rocky in the story, there were many moments that most peri or post-menopausal women can relate to. “Sandwich” is funny, genuine, and a wonderful sentiment about living as the “sandwich” generation in a close and loving family.

The book is set in Cape Cod, where Rocky and her family rent the same beach house they’ve visited for the past two decades. This humble beach-town rental has been the backdrop for sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and battling the cottage’s plumbing. The reader is treated to several different time periods of visits to the cottage, creating a rich tapestry of family history.

This year, menopausal Rocky is particularly hormonal, and a chain of events sends her into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of long-ago summers. Circumstances lead her to contemplate decisions and relive traumatic events from many years before, including several she has kept secret until now. The author captures the exhaustion of having preschool children and working, which resonated deeply with me. It’s worth noting that there is a trigger warning surrounding pro-choice, handled with emotion and respect by the author.

Rocky also suffers from anxiety, which is clearly expressed in the author’s words. She lives in fear of losing those she loves, battling this anxiety by refocusing and appreciating the present moment. As a woman with elderly parents and a close-knit family, I absolutely related to this sentiment. On more than one occasion, this book had me in tears, but it also had me laughing out loud as Rocky described the changes that menopause has brought to her.

“Life is a seesaw, and I am standing dead center, still and balanced: living kids on one side, living parents on the other. Nicky here with me at the fulcrum. Don’t move a muscle, I think. But I will, of course. You have to.”

CATHERINE NEWMAN IN SANDWICH

Final Thoughts:

“Sandwich” is a heartfelt exploration of the complexities of family life, aging, and the bittersweet beauty of life’s transitions. Catherine Newman has crafted a story that is both poignant and humorous, making it a must-read for anyone navigating the challenges of the sandwich generation.

A Similar Book I Have Reviewed:

For The Love of Summer by Susan Mallery