Reviews:

Written in diary form, this is a work of raw emotion that gives the carer's side of the story – what it's like to play the support role in a loved-one's fight with cancer. It's not a book for the squemish, coy or easily depressed. Jean Taylor's descriptions of the treatment her lover, Maureen O'Connor, underwent are graphic and confronting. It's also the story of a very particular milieu. As a politically active lesbian and feminist, Taylor's diary documents her involvement in the wider lesbian community, particularly her role in the Women's Circus. While detail of Taylor's many committments sometimes threatens to overwhelm the central story, these distractions fall away as O'Connor's deteriorating health brings the two women closer together. There's no happy ending to this sad account and no literary flourishes to soften the blows. But one is left with respoect for O'Connor's courage and spirit.

– Fiona Capp, Age

The tabook 'C' word. No, not that one, the other one: cancer. What do we do, how do we feel if we get it? Or worse – far worse – if our partner gets it? This is the topic of author Jean Taylor's new book, The C-word. In 1996 Maureen O'Connor, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The C-word written in diary format, chronicles the couple's two year battle against the disease, a battle that ends in O'Connor's death

Taylor writes in a down to earth, easy to read style. The book is not in the least sentimental and is, as a result, all the more powerful. If you have no idea what happens to the body as it is attacked by cancer or the processes of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, then this book with both enlighten and horrify.

The C-Word also tells the story of the women's day to day lives: both were members of the Performing Older Women's Circus (O'Connor was a technician/clown), involved themselves in lesbian-feminist collectives and became grandmothers.

This is an honest, forthright book on a topic most women push right to the back of our minds. Buy it now, but save it to read in the New Year. It is definately not jolly Christmas material. The ultimate journey towards O'Connor's death will have you weeping, even on a good day.

–Phoebe Everett, MCV Gay Lesbian Bizexual Transgender News Culture & Clubbing