Emily Louise

Emily Louise is about two young women and the dramatic effect their new friendship has on one of the women – a lonely, arthritis-crippled

resident of a nursing home. The exuberant, life-affirming nurse’s aid, Emily Louise, gradually brings out an inner strength and positive attitude in her patient that enriches both women’s lives. The story is simple and powerful, both poignant and uplifting.

From Booklist, March 15, 1994
Miss Freidmann suffers from severe arthritis and dislikes any changes in the routines at the nursing home where she has lived for five years; youthful, vibrant Emily Louise is a change in routine. Emily Louise encourages, demands, and bullies Miss Freidmann into living again by refusing to treat her as an invalid. She dyes Miss Freidmann's hair to cover the gray, buys silk nightgowns and robes for her, and advises her not to sign any papers the lawyer brings until Emily Louise can investigate. Emily Louise is a catalyst for Miss Friedmann, who thrives under her care and gains the confidence to leave the nursing home and return to her family, where Emily Louise will continue to help care for her. Beam writes simply, with laughter, tears, and pathos, to create two memorable women. John Mort
Copyright© 1994, American Library Association. All rights reserved

“ There is the occasional comic episode and character, but it is in her depiction of the rounds of life, death, and healing among nuns and patients that Beam’s simple narrative turns luminous.” ----Publishers Weekly

“Beam writes simply, with laughter, tears and pathos, to create two memorable women.” -----ABA Booklist

“This simple tale, full of both sadness and humor, is recommended for public libraries.” -----Library Journal

About the Author

Joan Darlington Beam was born in Essex, England in 1919. She moved with her family to Canada, in 1928. At the age of 17, Beam left home and became a physical therapist in Calgary, Alberta. In 1942, she joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was trained as a dental assistant. While in the RCAF, she married an airman who was killed during a bombing mission over Germany, shortly before the birth of their son. She later married Martin G. Beam, in Vancouver, B. C., and they later immigrated to the U.S. Together, they had four children and settled in Bothell, WA. Beam began her writing career as a reporter for the weekly paper, The Bothell Citizen. As her first novel (Emily Louise) shows, even with her writing in its infancy, Beam had a superb literary talent that was tragically cut short. On December 6, 1961, Joan suddenly became ill and was rushed to the hospital. Despite the best efforts of her surgery team, nothing could be done to save her. She left behind five young children and her husband. She was 42.