"Half the Kingdom" by Lore Groszmann Segal is a satirical yet profound exploration of aging in modern America. Set within the walls of Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, the novel unfolds a disturbing trend: patients suddenly exhibiting advanced stages of Alzheimer's, leading to questions of its cause, with suspicions ranging from the typical processes of aging to potential terrorist actions. As paranoia and hysteria veil deeper existential fears, the narrative cleverly twists through a looking-glass world, portraying with wit and insight the complexities of family dynamics, the befuddled healthcare system, and the human condition's inescapable tragedy and humor. Through interconnected vignettes of its characters, each converging in the emergency room, Segal offers a tragicomic portrait that is uniquely American, tenderly illustrating the peculiarities of life's final chapter.