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Nightingale: A Memoir of Murder, Madness, and the Messenger of Spring Paperback – June 5, 2014
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Suzanne Congdon LeRoy has been a nurse practitioner for 30 years with specialty certifications in Women's Health, Family Practice, and advanced practice HIV/AIDS. She completed her Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. in Nursing at the University of Minnesota, and executive education at Harvard Kennedy School. She is a member of the Junior League of Minneapolis, the Woman's Club of Minneapolis, and a Northside Achievement Zone Friend of the Future. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and adventure travel. Nightingale is her first book. A portion of the proceeds will be used to support health and human rights initiatives that benefit women and girls with an emphasis on education, reproductive health, and violence prevention.
More About the Author
Suzanne Congdon LeRoy has been a nurse practitioner for 30 years with specialty
certifications in Women's Health, Family Practice, and advanced practice HIV/AIDS.
She completed her Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. in Nursing at the University of
Minnesota, post-graduate training at Planned Parenthood and Metropolitan State
University, and executive education at the University of St. Thomas and Harvard
Kennedy School. She is a member of the Junior League of Minneapolis, the Woman's
Club of Minneapolis, and a Northside Achievement Zone Friend of the Future.
Nightingale is her first book. A portion of the proceeds will be used to support
health and human rights initiatives that benefit women and girls with an emphasis
on education, reproductive health, and violence prevention.
"My grandmother was so much more than the ill-fated tragedy of the last day of her life.
I felt compelled to immerse myself in her story and what she would have wanted people
to know. For the first time, intimate details of her extraordinary life are revealed."
--Suzanne Congdon LeRoy (author)
"This powerful memoir tells the story of a young girl whose beloved grandmother provided
security in the midst of an otherwise unpredictable and sometimes violent family. Many
children in such circumstances would lose hope, but the author transformed her anxiety
into passion for making the world a safer place for children and vulnerable adults. The
book also provides a rich source of information for those interested in the history of notable
Minnesota families. The writing is compelling and worth taking to heart."
--Harold D. Grotevant, Ph.D.
Rudd Family Foundation Chair and Professor of Psychology
University of Massachusetts Amherst
certifications in Women's Health, Family Practice, and advanced practice HIV/AIDS.
She completed her Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. in Nursing at the University of
Minnesota, post-graduate training at Planned Parenthood and Metropolitan State
University, and executive education at the University of St. Thomas and Harvard
Kennedy School. She is a member of the Junior League of Minneapolis, the Woman's
Club of Minneapolis, and a Northside Achievement Zone Friend of the Future.
Nightingale is her first book. A portion of the proceeds will be used to support
health and human rights initiatives that benefit women and girls with an emphasis
on education, reproductive health, and violence prevention.
"My grandmother was so much more than the ill-fated tragedy of the last day of her life.
I felt compelled to immerse myself in her story and what she would have wanted people
to know. For the first time, intimate details of her extraordinary life are revealed."
--Suzanne Congdon LeRoy (author)
"This powerful memoir tells the story of a young girl whose beloved grandmother provided
security in the midst of an otherwise unpredictable and sometimes violent family. Many
children in such circumstances would lose hope, but the author transformed her anxiety
into passion for making the world a safer place for children and vulnerable adults. The
book also provides a rich source of information for those interested in the history of notable
Minnesota families. The writing is compelling and worth taking to heart."
--Harold D. Grotevant, Ph.D.
Rudd Family Foundation Chair and Professor of Psychology
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By
Michel Short
on July 18, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
Comment
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The fascinating topics of madness and murder are woven into this genuine coming-of-age memoir: "Nightingale" authored by Suzanne Congdon LeRoy.
During childhood/young adulthood, LeRoy had a very close loving relationship with her maternal grandmother Elizabeth Mannering Congdon (1894-1977), heiress to the Congdon estate/mining fortune. In childhood, LeRoy's relationship with her grandmother served as a buffer from the irrational/abusive behavior from her mother Marjorie, who had once been diagnosed with a serious mental illness. The extra funds provided by the estate for the care of Leroy and brothers/sisters were squandered by her parents, who later divorced. Although LeRoy was the oldest and helped care for her younger siblings, (her mother was unable to do so) the siblings did not seem close.
In 1977, LeRoy's beloved grandmother and her nurse were murdered at the family mansion known as "Glensheen" that was located near the shoreline of Lake Superior, (Saint Paul, MN), This horrific crime was covered extensively by the news media, people were in shock at those responsible, causing an unmeasurable amount of grief and heartache for these families, friends, and others in the area/community.
To further summarize: I liked this memoir, although the first part of the story was harder to follow, told in a child's narrative. The family background and ancestry information would have been more helpful in the beginning of the memoir to give a point of reference. The majority of the story focus was about Leroy's grandmother, her mother seemed like the elephant in the room this family couldn't acknowledge.Read more ›
During childhood/young adulthood, LeRoy had a very close loving relationship with her maternal grandmother Elizabeth Mannering Congdon (1894-1977), heiress to the Congdon estate/mining fortune. In childhood, LeRoy's relationship with her grandmother served as a buffer from the irrational/abusive behavior from her mother Marjorie, who had once been diagnosed with a serious mental illness. The extra funds provided by the estate for the care of Leroy and brothers/sisters were squandered by her parents, who later divorced. Although LeRoy was the oldest and helped care for her younger siblings, (her mother was unable to do so) the siblings did not seem close.
In 1977, LeRoy's beloved grandmother and her nurse were murdered at the family mansion known as "Glensheen" that was located near the shoreline of Lake Superior, (Saint Paul, MN), This horrific crime was covered extensively by the news media, people were in shock at those responsible, causing an unmeasurable amount of grief and heartache for these families, friends, and others in the area/community.
To further summarize: I liked this memoir, although the first part of the story was harder to follow, told in a child's narrative. The family background and ancestry information would have been more helpful in the beginning of the memoir to give a point of reference. The majority of the story focus was about Leroy's grandmother, her mother seemed like the elephant in the room this family couldn't acknowledge.Read more ›
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By
K. Johnson
on July 30, 2014
Format: Paperback
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A difficult story told in an engaging, well-written and easy to follow narrative. Like other reviewers, I could not put the book down and finished in about 4-6 hours.
Though initially surprised by the book's beginning from the perspective of a 4 year old narrator (the author as a child), I found that approach purposeful and intentional, though never articulated as such, and endearing as a result. The diary-like narration seems to be the author's attempt to discourage criticisms of revisionist history by clearly expressing a perspective that goes beyond simple facts (which for history, are always influenced by context and perspective), and in doing so effectively includes context and emotion.
This perspective sets the stage for the whole book and raised many psychological and sociological questions that I believe, like another reviewer, would make this a great book club selection:
- when does one realize one is being abused if it is by a parent and one is an infant when it begins?
- why do some abused children make such widely different choices than their siblings?
- what factors contribute to success in life, and happiness?
- is happiness borne of the obstacles we overcome, the circumstances we face, will, determination, "grit", or perhaps just love?
- why do some people attach more to a grandparent than others?
- what role can grandparents play that can substantially alter their grandchildren's lives?
I've recommended it to many in person, and shared my copy of the books already. Highly recommend.
Though initially surprised by the book's beginning from the perspective of a 4 year old narrator (the author as a child), I found that approach purposeful and intentional, though never articulated as such, and endearing as a result. The diary-like narration seems to be the author's attempt to discourage criticisms of revisionist history by clearly expressing a perspective that goes beyond simple facts (which for history, are always influenced by context and perspective), and in doing so effectively includes context and emotion.
This perspective sets the stage for the whole book and raised many psychological and sociological questions that I believe, like another reviewer, would make this a great book club selection:
- when does one realize one is being abused if it is by a parent and one is an infant when it begins?
- why do some abused children make such widely different choices than their siblings?
- what factors contribute to success in life, and happiness?
- is happiness borne of the obstacles we overcome, the circumstances we face, will, determination, "grit", or perhaps just love?
- why do some people attach more to a grandparent than others?
- what role can grandparents play that can substantially alter their grandchildren's lives?
I've recommended it to many in person, and shared my copy of the books already. Highly recommend.
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By
EWS
on August 21, 2014
Format: Paperback
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As a young child I visited Glensheen many times with my family. I enjoyed the beauty of the home, but always longed to hear the stories of the people who lived there. I appreciate the balance the author found between sharing pertinent information about the tragic way her grandmother died and the wonderful role model she was to those fortunate to know and love her. Ms. LeRoy, thank you so much for focusing on the amazing way your grandmother LIVED her life rather than on the way she died. I will not ever wonder again if a single person can change the world with their love and kindness. What a wonderful and inspiring message to share with the world! Thank you for a heartfelt and encouraging book!
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By
MJC
on August 1, 2014
Format: Paperback
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Exceptionally well written. How courageous for Leroy to write with such transparency and bring the reader deep into her personal life. The richness of the story goes far beyond the inquisitive nature of a young girl making innocent poignant observations about her surroundings. It takes you on a journey through real life and demonstrates how a person can overcome significant obstacles and embark upon a life of service while honoring the memory of those who were not only an inspiration, but who contributed to making society a better place for the less fortunate. Truly enjoyed the book. Thank you Suzanne for sharing your story.
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By
Cristy Leaf
on September 28, 2014
Format: Paperback
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The Nightingale captured my attention from the first page. I have toured the Glensheen mansion many times and this story gave me a different view point of what it was like growing up there. The story pulled me in and kept me wanting to read more. I appreciate Suzanne sharing with us what it was like growing up with her parents and the importance that her grandmother had on her life. This book had me in tears at the end, both happy and sad. I shared this book with a friend after I finished it, and she also thought it was amazing! Thank you again for allowing us to be part of your life.
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