Thoughts

I've read everything Dawn French has published because I love her, so I immediately reserved this audiobook in the library (read by the author herself), and waited impatiently for it to arrive.

It's a difficult topic, this one, and the book starts with a warning about suicidal content, something that should definitely be considered before reading. But I didn't think the subject was as confronting as you might imagine - it's not about the doing, it's about the why. This is a woman who is content with how her life has gone and wants to be in control of the end... much to her family's disapproval.

The book spans a single day and is filled with the reactions and conversations that follow this momentous decision, and all of it is thought-provoking. What would you do in this situation? Could you be supportive?

The big topic is supported by the little things as well. As always with Dawn French, she describes the mundanity of life, the human things, with perfect attention to detail. Padding around her house at the start of this fateful day, Etta is entirely relatable yet also aspirational.

She didn't have to think at all to find any single thing she needed in this lovely kitchen, where EVERYTHING was not only what she wanted, but where she wanted it. If you needed to borrow one of those wire contraptions that neatly slices boiled eggs? No problem. Back of the doodah drawer, three down to the left of the sink.

It's beautiful writing, engaging and really easy to read. The family are a joy to follow, even when they're rowing, because you can feel the angst that is driven by love. It comes right off the page, or out of the speaker in my case. The audiobook being read by Dawn French gave it an extra level of pleasure for me, she's very clear and can give the book the rhythm she obviously felt while writing it, I'd recommend consuming it this way.

I also think this is Dawn's best book to date - so whether that means it's a great place to start from is at your discretion. You might want to build up to it with previous books, or start at the pinnacle knowing everything else is slightly less good.

I loved this from start to finish and it's without question a 5 out of 5. I can very well envisage reading it again someday. I think it's the kind of book that will reveal little extra secrets and nuggets each time you go through it.

Rating: 5 / 5