The Goldfish Went on Vacation

Sooner or later, all parents face the question of how to talk to their children about death. What do you say when the goldfish dies? Do you lie about it or tell the truth? For Patty Dann it was harder still: her husband, still in his forties, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. He had one year to live, two at the most. In this spirited and startlingly honest memoir, Dann takes us on her journey with her three-year-old son – a journey that cycles through grief and anger, but also through humour, joy, empowerment, and ultimately acceptance. With the guidance of a wonderful child psychologist and close friends, Dann resolves to tell her son the whole truth about what’s happening.She will encourage him to face the decline and loss of his father directly and honestly, with support from her and others who care about him. Written in a series of moving and surprisingly uplifting vignettes, Dann shares the tender moments, buoyant spirit, and key insights that helped her and her child to make it through their ordeal.

Author Biography

Patty Dann is the author of Sweet & Crazy; Mermaids, which was turned into a film starring Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci; and The Baby Boat, an account of her own experiences adopting a child from Lithuania. Her articles have appeared in the New York Times, O magazine, Redbook, More magazine, and the Chicago Tribune. She has an MFA in writing from Columbia University and a BA from the University of Oregon. She and her son currently live in New York City.