Katherine May, acclaimed for her previous works on self-care and personal reflection, is set to release a poignant new book titled *Tending: How Care Binds the World*. Scheduled for publication on 9 March 2027 under the Riverhead Books imprint of Penguin Random House, this forthcoming work will delve into her transformative journey as a caregiver in the wake of her husband’s serious illness.
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In *Tending*, May candidly recounts the unexpected responsibilities that came to define her life during this challenging period. The narrative is not only a personal exploration but also a broader commentary on the often-overlooked role of caregivers amid life’s trials. May’s experiences are further enriched by her lifelong fears, such as arachnophobia, as she draws parallels between her own struggles and the tenacity of spiders.
The author expressed her intention for the book to resonate deeply with caregivers who frequently feel unrecognised in their contributions. “This is a very personal book for me, but I hope it will speak to the many, many caregivers who often feel so invisible,” she remarked. May aims to capture the existential facets of tending to loved ones across multiple generations while highlighting the brief moments of transcendence and purpose that arise from such responsibilities. She finds it particularly interesting that a creature she has long feared, the spider, became her unexpected guide throughout this journey.
May’s earlier publications, including *Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times* and *Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age*, have already established her as a thoughtful voice on mental health and self-care. In *Tending*, she builds on these themes by intertwining elements of art, mythology, and her observations of the world, illustrating how the act of caregiving evolves as we age.
Her reflections challenge the contemporary notions surrounding life and caregiving. May posits that society often views care as an interruption or inconvenience, when, in reality, it is intricately woven into the fabric of our humanity. She suggests that this instinct to care flows naturally from within us, despite the common resentments or fears it may evoke.
Emma Heming Willis, who authored *The Unexpected Journey*, has been in the spotlight for her own experiences as a caregiver to her husband, Bruce Willis, following his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis. She highlighted the significance of May’s work, affirming that it “gives voice to the array of emotions so many caregivers experience but often feel unable to say out loud.” Heming Willis described *Tending* as a “beautiful and honest reflection” of what it means to be a caregiver, positioning it as an essential read for anyone navigating similar paths.
As anticipation builds for the release of *Tending*, it is clear that May’s contribution to the dialogue surrounding caregiving is both timely and necessary. In an era where mental health and the recognition of caregiving roles are receiving increasing attention, her work promises to illuminate the complex emotions associated with caring for loved ones.
Readers can expect a thoughtful examination of the intersections between personal care, societal expectations, and emotional labour. Pre-orders for *Tending* have already begun, and it will be available for purchase at various book retailers.
May’s exploration affirms that even amid uncertainty and fear, experiences of tenderness and purpose can enrich our understanding of what it means to care for one another. As caregivers often find themselves at the fringes of recognition, May’s insights serve as a poignant reminder of their invaluable contributions to society and the lasting impact of their compassion.
In a world where the idea of care is sometimes viewed as a burden, Katherine May’s *Tending* seeks to reshape that narrative, celebrating the intrinsic human drive to nurture and support those we love.