Taking Care of Mrs. Carroll

Beth Carroll is dying, and her devoted caregiver David has gathered a group of friends to spend what may be her final summer at her beach house on Fire Island. Among them are David's lover Jason, Beth's estranged daughter Liz, and a mix of other companions who have been part of Beth's unconventional chosen family. The beach house becomes a sanctuary where this eclectic group navigates their relationships while caring for Beth in her final days. Their summer is filled with memories of the past and confrontations with present realities as they deal with love, sexuality, and mortality. Throughout the novel, long-held secrets surface and alliances shift among the house's inhabitants. David struggles to balance his responsibilities to Beth with his own needs, while each character faces personal crossroads. The novel examines how people create and sustain families of choice, and explores themes of caregiving, sacrifice, and the complex bonds that form in times of crisis. Through its portrait of this makeshift family, the story raises questions about obligation versus love, and what we owe to those who have nurtured us.

Readers describe this 1978 novel as a darkly comic summer house mystery infused with gay themes and class commentary. Positive reviews highlight: - Sharp, witty dialogue between characters - Details that capture Martha's Vineyard summer life - Complex relationships among the ensemble cast - Balance of mystery elements with social observations Common criticisms: - Plot becomes convoluted in later sections - Some characters feel underdeveloped - Pacing slows in middle chapters - Resolution strikes some as unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (114 ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (8 reviews) "A beach read with substance," notes one Goodreads reviewer, while another calls it "dated but charming." Several reviews mention the book captures an authentic slice of 1970s gay culture. One Amazon reviewer critiques the "meandering middle section that loses focus." Multiple readers compare it favorably to early Armistead Maupin works while noting it's less polished than Monette's later novels.

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🔖 Paul Monette wrote Taking Care of Mrs. Carroll (1978) before he became known as a prominent voice in AIDS literature and LGBT activism 🏠 The novel's setting—a grand estate in Massachusetts—was inspired by Monette's own experiences house-sitting for wealthy families during his early writing career 📚 This was Monette's first published novel, marking his transition from poetry to prose writing 🌟 The book blends elements of comedy, romance, and social commentary while exploring themes of class division and sexual identity in 1970s New England 🎭 The story's theatrical elements reflect Monette's background in drama and his time studying theater at Yale University, where he earned his B.A. in 1967