AUTHOR EVENT: w/ Author Maura Casey ~ Saving Ellen: A Memoir of Hope and Recovery
Schedule
Mon Apr 27 2026 at 12:30 pm to 02:30 pm
UTC-04:00Location
717 Main St, Lancaster, MA, United States, Massachusetts 01523 | Lancaster, MA
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"Saving Ellen" is a coming-of-age memoir that follows a large, working-class Irish family as it plunges into chaos in the wake of a terminal diagnosis—and the author's own hidden struggle to endure when her sister's disease becomes the dark star around which they all revolve. Financial privation and her father’s drunken scenes formed the backdrop to Maura Casey's childhood, but her sister Ellen’s years-long struggle with kidney disease consumed her whole family. Determined to see Ellen live to adulthood, her mother fought medical advice to donate a kidney at a time when organ transplants were medical miracles. She concealed the true impact of that decision, which would affect the family for years to come.
Set in Buffalo amidst the tumult of the 1960s and 70s, "Saving Ellen" traces the author's recovery from alcoholism and sexual assault and tells of her irrepressible older sister Ellen, who fought to claim her dream of becoming an athlete; her smart, feminist mother, whose World War II Army service prepared her to manage her own platoon of six children; and her adulterous, alcoholic father who, at the end, was haunted by his shortcomings and regrets.
Despite the hard truths of her childhood, "Saving Ellen "is ultimately a story of humor at unexpected moments as well as the grace of reconciliation and gratitude. "Saving Ellen" will appeal to those who have endured the stress of caring for a chronically ill family member, with all the fraught choices that entails. Readers who have experienced the unique insanity of living in a large alcoholic family will recognize the mix of madness and humor that forms the foundation of daily life.
Patrons are invited to join us for this discussion of Ms. Casey's book, as well as join Rachel's Book Group, which will be reading the book for their monthly meeting. The book group will meet with Maura after her discussion ends, at 1:30 p.m.
Registration requested: https://thayermemoriallibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/author-event-saving-ellen-a-memoir-of-hope-and-recovery-with-author-maura-casey/
This event will take place in TML's Dexter Room, located on our lower level. Ample parking is available behind the library.
Questions? Contact Asst. Director Rachel Rosengard at [email protected].
https://thayermemoriallibrary.org/programs/
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Where is it happening?
717 Main St, Lancaster, MA, United States, Massachusetts 01523Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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