Middle-age is challenging enough, but when Nancy Nau Sullivan suddenly finds herself caring for two children, grappling with her mother’s death, and caring for her ailing father while at the same time navigating a contentious divorce and dealing with long-simmering sibling rivalries, she wonders how she can keep herself sane. Things get even more complicated when her siblings accuse her of “kidnapping” their father and carting him-and his Cadillac-off to Anna Maria Island, Florida, where they are greeted by Hurricane Josephine.

In this gripping memoir, Sullivan guides the reader through the chaotic whirlwind of unexpected and unwanted change and offers a common sense and humorous guide to surviving family relationships.

Nancy Nau Sullivan suddenly finds herself caring for two children, grappling with her mother’s death, and caring for her ailing father while at the same time navigating a contentious divorce and dealing with long-simmering sibling rivalries, she wonders how she can keep herself sane. Things get even more complicated when her siblings accuse her of “kidnapping” their father and carting him, and his Cadillac, off to Anna Maria Island, Florida, where they are greeted by Hurricane Josephine.

I really enjoy Memoirs, and more so when the story is close to home. I was engaged with this book from the off and instantly took a liking to Nancy. Nancy takes us on a journey with this beautifully written story, at times sad but other times a laugh a minute. This is a well brought together story and paced well, we can go on the journey and really feel we could be there with Nancy and her family.

I loved the descriptions of the cottage in Anna Marie Island, Florida and would love to visit it one day if I ever get to that area. Just to appreciate the warmth and vibrancy it brings. There are so many parts to this story that warmed my heart, too many to mention. One bit in the story is when Mike took the Cadillac out on his own and Nancy went in search of him. Nancy handled the situation with such empathy and care.

It’s hard to see the decline of a family member especially a parent, Nancy not only had to cope with her mothers death but had to deal with her fathers grief for his wife and his decline into Dementia. It was sad to read that her siblings were not much help and was questioning Nancy’s decisions, when clearly she only had her fathers best interests at heart.

It was very sad at the end to read of Mikes passing, although expected it still must of been a great shock and sadness to the family.

The Last Cadillac is a book that I’m sure will stay with me, as I find myself thinking about Nancy and how her own life has panned out now. I have a lot of praise for this book and would recommend it to anyone, not just for caregivers or people dealing with Dementia in their family but just as a lovely memoir of a selfless, loving woman.

Nancy Nau Sullivan has worked as a newspaper journalist, teacher, and most recently, as a University English Specialist in the Peace Corps in Mexico. She also taught English in Chicago, Argentina, and at a boys’ prison in Florida.

In 2004, she was named Teacher of the Year from Florida by the Correctional Education Association at their conference in Macon, GA. Sullivan earned a master’s degree in journalism from Marquette University. Her writing has appeared in literary journals, magazines, and newspapers, including, most recently, Akashic Books, The Blotter, Gargoyle, The Atherton Review, and skirt!magazine.

Her story, “Once I Had a Bunch of Thyme,” won honors at the Carnegie Center in Lexington, KY. The Last Cadillac: A Memoir is her first book.

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