Blog Archives
Compassion
Spin Cycle: Notes from a Reluctant Caregiver follows an exhausted and frustrated man navigating the complexities of caregiving for his aging mother with dementia. The book is beautifully written and addresses a subject that is rarely discussed in this way. Why did you want to write about caring for an aging parent?
This is the book I wish I had five years ago. It was around then that my mom was first diagnosed with “likely onset Alzheimer’s.” Those years, during which I became a parent to my parent, were some of the most challenging and exhausting of my life. I was frustrated, confused, angry, and felt guilty about feeling frustrated, confused, and angry. I felt alone. That’s the spin cycle. And going with fiction rather than, say, a memoir, gave me the freedom to explore and imagine more facets of that experience. If one person reads this book and thinks, “I’m not alone. These characters think and feel what I think and feel,” then I’ve done my job. I want this book to resonate with readers, and, hopefully, comfort them.
I find that authors sometimes ask themselves questions and let their characters answer them. Do you think this is true for your characters?
I think it was Truman Capote who said, “You can’t blame a writer for what the characters say.” I love this because I think it’s true. As you get to know a character more deeply through the writing process, you begin to hear their voice, their opinions, their view on life. For me I can be much more honest and raw – and therefore, hopefully, relatable – when I inhabit the minds of other people, people who might say or do things I wouldn’t. I think of myself as being reserved and polite, perhaps excessively so, and my characters give me the chance to break from myself.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Compassion is the overriding theme in Spin Cycle. When we meet the protagonist, Ezra, he is so consumed by resentment, frustration, guilt, and self-loathing that he no longer has the capacity to be compassionate, to others as well as himself. The book is about his journey to rediscover his capacity to empathize and love. I also try to explore the corrosive effect of family secrets, as well as the fulfilling sense of human connection we have when we choose to be vulnerable with others.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
It is called Convergence. I’ve just begun it. The theme for this novel will be “escape.” I think there are times in all our lives when we wish we could just snap our fingers and “escape” – perhaps literally: to a different place, a thousand miles from home; perhaps with extreme diversion: sex, drugs, booze; or maybe the escape is an internal one we make by shifting – not our circumstances – but the lens through which we view them. Put characters with these varying approaches to “escape” in a pressure cooker and that’s the book. Knowing my work pace, it will probably be out in a year, perhaps a year and a half.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Website | Instagram | Amazon
Overwhelmed by it all, Ezra opens a strip-mall school to help others-and himself-become better caregivers. As he learns to handle the personalities of his nine misfit students, Ezra must also navigate the complex feelings he has toward his mother. It doesn’t help that she adores his do-nothing slacker brother.
But Ezra hasn’t told his students that he also has an agenda beyond becoming a more compassionate caregiver. And, it turns out, so does one of his students. Ezra confides the entire tale to his childhood friend Danny as he attempts to sort it all out and find room in his heart again for compassion and love.
Spin Cycle: Notes from a Reluctant Caregiver
Spin Cycle offers a raw and intimate look into the life of Ezra Pavic, a man navigating the complexities of caregiving for his aging mother with dementia. Through Ezra’s reflections, Alfredo Botello unpacks themes of guilt, frustration, and love, crafting a poignant and often darkly humorous tale about familial responsibility and the messy emotions it stirs. The story unfolds with sharp prose and deep introspection, pulling readers into the exhausting and often heartbreaking reality of caregiving.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is Botello’s unflinching honesty. Ezra’s recounting of his struggles is refreshingly candid, whether he’s snapping at his mother in frustration or battling feelings of inadequacy after a failed attempt at patience. The opening chapter lays bare his emotional rawness: “Maybe I’m not struggling with who I became. Maybe I’m struggling with who I always was.” That vulnerability hit me hard. I think it will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the weight of self-doubt or resentment. Botello doesn’t shy away from showing Ezra’s flaws, making him deeply relatable.
The narrative is also peppered with moments of dark humor, which add levity to an otherwise heavy subject. Ezra’s wry observations, like his envy of serene caregivers in online videos or his internal monologues about self-care platitudes, feel genuine and earned. One particularly memorable scene involves a nail salon visit with his mother. Despite his irritation, Ezra finds himself moved by the small joy it brings her, a rare glimmer of light in the otherwise bleak caregiving cycle. These moments of connection, fleeting as they are, illustrate the resilience of love in the face of overwhelming hardship.
Botello’s writing shines when he delves into the nuanced dynamics of Ezra’s relationships, not just with his mother but with his ex-wife, son, and support group. Ezra’s attempts to reconcile his anger with his lingering affection for Irene are some of the book’s most profound passages. His inner conflict, oscillating between resentment and duty, rings true for anyone caught in the so-called “sandwich generation.” These emotional layers are what elevate Spin Cycle from being just another fictional memoir to a profound exploration of humanity.
Spin Cycle captures the exhausting, thankless, and often isolating world of caregiving with heart and precision. This book is a must-read for those navigating similar challenges or anyone seeking an honest and moving story about the imperfect art of loving and caring for others. I think it’s ideal for readers who appreciate introspective, character-driven narratives that aren’t afraid to dive into life’s messiness.
Pages: 316 | ASIN : B0DQXDSTYN
180 Days
180 Days by Alfredo Botello is an insightful exploration of love, betrayal, and the journey towards redemption. The novel centers on Tomas Areata Jr. and Naomi Curran, a married couple of ten years who face the turmoil of infidelity. Tomas, an architect with aspirations, finds himself entangled in an affair with a client, leading Naomi to discover his indiscretion through incriminating messages and consequently file for divorce. The story unfolds against the backdrop of California’s mandatory 180-day waiting period for divorce finalization. This ‘cooling-off’ period ignites a spark in Tomas to salvage what remains of his marriage. In their quest for answers, Naomi and Tomas engage with a diverse array of characters – from family and friends harboring their secrets to coworkers and even an esteemed punk rock singer who, despite his fame, is not immune to human flaws.
Botello masterfully weaves the intricacies of the couple’s emotional struggles with elements of punk rock and architecture, creating a rich tapestry that illustrates the complexities of marital life. This narrative journey is not just about uncovering truths; it also delves into the imperfections of celebrated historical figures, adding layers of depth to the story. The novel stands out for its authentic portrayal of the challenges in a marriage, especially when confronted with the possibility of its end. As Tomas and Naomi navigate their 180-day journey of self-discovery and soul-searching, they confront the question of whether their bond is strong enough to withstand the trials they face.
180 Days offers readers a poignant narrative about the fragility and resilience of relationships. Botello’s storytelling is emotive and nuanced, making the novel a compelling examination of love, forgiveness, and the strength required to repair broken connections. It’s a recommended read for those who are drawn to narratives that skillfully intertwine heartfelt storytelling with the complexities of human relationships and themes of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Pages: 409 | ASIN : B0CLB52Q2G
LITERARY TITAN 