Reviews

this became pretty compelling at Shimi's brothers funeral and after Shimi and Beryl begin their conversations.

one thing I would have edited out is Beryl's cross stitching. it was clever what she was embroidering but became a bit tiresome as a joke and unlikely as a pursuit for a lady of 99

j0ana_'s review

Go to review page

3.0

3.5 ✨️

I know when one is dead and when one lives - She's as dead as earth.

Never judge the book by its cover I guess this line's failed to prove a point this time! I must say, the threadwork had me at first sight! (Though I wish it were an actual piece of cloth stitched on! I'd give a kidney for it!!)

One minute she has a word, then she hasn't. Where does it go? Rolled under the bed like her biscuits her day carer Euphoria brings her, balanced foolishly on the saucer of her tea cup? Or flown out of the bedroom window in her sleep? Because she definitely had the word before she closed her eyes.

Now, about the book: it's a story of the sassy and savage elderly XD Beautiful language was infused to bring forth the characters' lives. it's quite witty and hilarious! I loved Mrs Beryl from the very start, Shimi not so much.

This is another character-driven book I've read this year. I wasn't bored with it! (So that's a good thing). Nevertheless, it got confusing at times, with too many PoVs presented at once. And what hit the coffin, was the disjointed narrative... Although Beryl and Shimi do meet up, their stories don't merge into something more.

'And if it's a girl?'
'Nellie. But let's hope to God it's not a girl.'
'Why?'
'It's too cruel a world for a girl.'
He was a sentimental man, Harris.

Live a Little was the first book I've ever read by Howard Jacobson and if the same beautiful language is used in all his books as with this one, he could be my new favorite author!

he was born without fuss and died without
fuss, slipping out of life like
an oyster down an open throat.
'That wasn't so difficult,' he said,
and expired.
No one was listening

It's a well-deserved 3.5 ✨️