Swing Low: A Life
In Swing Low, Miriam Toews recounts her father Mel's life as she imagines he would have told it, right up to the day he took his final walk years ago. Toews writes a moving tribute to a man who lived with bipolar disorder for most of his life, fighting back his demons as best he could. Remembered as an exceptional teacher, a faithful Mennonite man, and a loving husband and father, Mel’s determination and courage shine through in Toews’ work.
Toews’ incredibly moving memoir is written in a unique way. Typically when one writes a memoir, it is about themselves and through their eyes. In Swing Low, Toews documents her father’s journey through his perspective. She conveys his hardships, successes, struggles, and his hard-fought quest for a normal life.
Although Mel faced adversity since adolescence, he beat the odds. When he was told he it was unlikely he’d ever hold down a job, he became a beloved teacher in his community. When his doctor said getting married wasn’t a good idea, he married the love of his life anyway and raised two daughters. The marriage had its hardships and he may not have been the father he always wanted to be, but he did his best with the cards he was dealt and had moments of true joy scattered throughout his dark years.
Swing Low ultimately ends with Mel committing suicide, and while it’s heartbreaking to read, this book is a compassionate dedication to a man whose life was filled with illness, family, faith and love. Through Toews’ words, readers are able to see not only how Mel struggled but how his family dealt with his bipolar disorder. As someone who has anxiety and has loved ones who manage mental illnesses, I could relate to a lot of what the Toews family was going through. There is so much complexity to mental illnesses, a lot of it goes unseen, so to see one family’s journey with it was wonderful.
I imagine this book was healing for Toews to write. This book was a way for her to better understand a man who kept quiet. This book was her way of showing him the kindness his illness made him think he didn’t deserve. I can only imagine how hard it was for her to write her father’s story, but also cathartic. The demons no longer had a place to hide when she put Mel’s journey to paper. I hope wherever Mel is now that he is at peace and he is proud of his youngest daughter’s tribute to him.
Swing Low Rating: ★★★★★
Toews’ incredibly moving memoir is written in a unique way. Typically when one writes a memoir, it is about themselves and through their eyes. In Swing Low, Toews documents her father’s journey through his perspective. She conveys his hardships, successes, struggles, and his hard-fought quest for a normal life.
Although Mel faced adversity since adolescence, he beat the odds. When he was told he it was unlikely he’d ever hold down a job, he became a beloved teacher in his community. When his doctor said getting married wasn’t a good idea, he married the love of his life anyway and raised two daughters. The marriage had its hardships and he may not have been the father he always wanted to be, but he did his best with the cards he was dealt and had moments of true joy scattered throughout his dark years.
Swing Low ultimately ends with Mel committing suicide, and while it’s heartbreaking to read, this book is a compassionate dedication to a man whose life was filled with illness, family, faith and love. Through Toews’ words, readers are able to see not only how Mel struggled but how his family dealt with his bipolar disorder. As someone who has anxiety and has loved ones who manage mental illnesses, I could relate to a lot of what the Toews family was going through. There is so much complexity to mental illnesses, a lot of it goes unseen, so to see one family’s journey with it was wonderful.
I imagine this book was healing for Toews to write. This book was a way for her to better understand a man who kept quiet. This book was her way of showing him the kindness his illness made him think he didn’t deserve. I can only imagine how hard it was for her to write her father’s story, but also cathartic. The demons no longer had a place to hide when she put Mel’s journey to paper. I hope wherever Mel is now that he is at peace and he is proud of his youngest daughter’s tribute to him.
Swing Low Rating: ★★★★★