Testimonials

Reactions to the book!

Through my own tears, chuckles, and deep breaths of connection, I found your memoir Caring for Red refreshingly candid and wisely, soul searching. One helluvah daughter for one helluvah dad! – Libbie J. Shufro, AdLib Consulting

Just mindblowingly good. Wow, just wow, what a powerful story. Dr. Carrie Lee Smith, Sociology Professor, Millersville University

Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle

Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle

Read it. Loved it! Wonderful. Congratulations. Love the way you mixed the personal and the societal so smoothly. Not easy, but you pulled it off. – Sandee Storey, Poet/Journalist

I’m on page 121 and very sad that I only have 36 more pages to read! I took a lot of notes as I went along. It’s such a great read and not just because I knew Manny and you and (your sister), but because it is thoroughly engaging throughout. As your Dad always said about good plays – you need conflict for good drama and you certainly have it. Manny had it in himself with his internal conflict that was ongoing, his fighting the good fight with his labor activism and definitely near the end when he was in “Harmony Village”.

Mindy @ book talk in Buffalo with Darleen Pickering Hummert, Lorrie Rabin and Anna Kay France

Mindy @ book talk in Buffalo with Darleen Pickering Hummert, Lorrie Rabin and Anna Kay France

And then you also vividly depict the conflict you had with him yourself against the backdrop of the profound respect, love and connection you had with him. The caregiving element that threads through is painful but many times, hopeful and joyful and fulfilling too. Your description of all that you and (your sister) had to deal with – as children and then as loving caregivers near the end of Manny’s life – is a story that so many readers can relate to and learn from. What a monumental task to write Caring for Red. I’m so happy for you. – Darleen Pickering Hummert, Actress and Director, Theatre for Change

Loved it! A rare combination of informative and touching. – Jennifer Zakkai, Arts Education Consultant, Geffen Playhouse, LA

When we are old and growing infirm, we should all have advocates like Mindy and her sister. As befits a social scientist her story is rich with detail and interwoven with a lifetime of memories of her complicated family. Her father, a labor organizer, communist, playwright and professor, her mother an artist from a wealthy family in Buffalo, Mindy’s life as a dancer, mother and social scientist. It is also a primer on how to navigate Medicare, different levels of care, long term care insurance and so much more. A highly nuanced and riveting memoir. – Anonymous reviewer, Amazon

This story of Mindy Fried’s experience as a long-distance caregiver for her elderly father interweaves her complicated history with “Red” with detailed advice for anyone who is caring for a loved one. If you’re struggling with the many challenging decisions that need to be made through all stages of caregiving, Fried’s insights into elder care will be useful. Even those of us who aren’t currently a caregiver, however, will be absorbed by her loving portrait of her brilliant, complex father. – Myrna Greenfield, Good Egg Marketing

Busboys & Poets in DC!

Busboys & Poets in DC!

You’ve put a gift out in the world. – Tracy Fitzpatrick, Career and Life Coach

Feedback from book talks!

I recently had the pleasure of hosting Mindy for an event in connection with her book “Caring for Red.” Her thoughtful and engaging presentation resonated with the crowd. Rather than reading a long passage, Mindy integrated selected readings into her talk which made for an insightful and intelligent discussion. We loved having her at the store! Carrie Harmon, Event Coordinator, [words] Bookstore, Maplewood, New Jersey Mindy @ [words] Bookstore

Atlanta_Mindy at podiumMany thanks to Mindy for sharing with our residents at Lions Gate her trials and tribulations caring for her father during the last year of his life. As the discussion moved into the topic of more care from their children with dignity and compassion, the dynamics of the conversation hit a sensitive spot for several folks which sparked a whole new discussion and the formation of a support group for our retirees. How to manage and reconcile unresolved feelings with your children was a topic everyone related to. – Felice Kelem – Director of Development, Lion’s Gate, Voorhees, New Jersey

Mindy presented a deeply moving account of the challenges and rewards caring for her father during the last year of his life in an assisted living residence. Our residents valued her poignant comments that promoted a lively discussion throughout the afternoon. Susan Love, M.S. LNHA, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Lion’s Gate

Talk at Georgia State Gerontology Institute: Candace Kemp, Chivon Mingo, Jennifer Craft Morgan, Mindy Fried, Wendy Simonds and Heying Zhan!

Talk at Georgia State Gerontology Institute: Candace Kemp, Chivon Mingo, Jennifer Craft Morgan, Mindy Fried, Wendy Simonds and Heying Zhan!

Mindy’s book talk on “Caring for Red” was engaging, moving and insightful. All audience groups – undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and interested community members – were able to take something away from the talk. From practical application of theories of aging to discussions of long term care options to the personal yet common experience of caregiving, Mindy spoke to us all. Thank you Mindy, for providing food for thought and sharing your journey with us. – Jennifer Craft Morgan, Ph.D., Professor, Georgia State University Gerontology Institute

I didn’t get a chance to say more fully how touched I was by your loving presentation of your father and the time you spent caring for him. I was especially moved by the courage and perceptiveness of your thirteen-year-old self….which has carried through the years and is so evident in your present day self .I thought it takes so much courage to open yourself up to an audience the way you did…so honestly. It was a wonderful antidote to these troubled times. – Linda Sklar, Psychoanalyst

Book talk with Chapter & Verse, Loring Greenough House (with broken arm!) Photo credit:  Joni Lohr

Book talk with Chapter & Verse, Loring Greenough House (with broken arm!) Photo credit: Joni Lohr

Your talk and your reading was excellent. I enjoyed the whole evening. Photos attached; some in black and white; others in color. – Joni Lohr, Photographer

I was at your presentation at University at Buffalo two weeks ago, purchased Caring for Red, and started reading it on my flight from Buffalo to NYC the day before Thanksgiving. Just finished it and was truly moved by your story and the story of your father on many different levels. As I mentioned during our introductions at your presentation, I was interested in attending your presentation from both a professional as well as a personal perspective…As I read the story of Manny’s life and your experiences as a caregiver, I was able to empathize with what you experienced. I also think that your story can be very helpful to others faced with this very challenging stage of our lives. Thank you again for coming back to Buffalo to share your story. – Rob Schwartz, Social worker, caregiver support group facilitator, actor

It was great to meet you yesterday. Your talk was fascinating! – Susan Weinstein, Social Worker, Director of Marketing, Houseworks