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andreeannek's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Bawled my eyes out. This book is magnificent and touching.
nickimags's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a lovely book! I really enjoyed this story of Eudora Honeysett, an eighty-five year old lady who’s ready to die, and makes arrangements to go to a clinic in Switzerland to pass away. She’s tired of feeling old, and wants to be in charge of how she ends her days, instead of being pushed from pillar to post by doctors and nurses. Little does she know that her life is about to change when her new 10 year old neighbour Rose, bursts into her life with colour and noise!!
I liked Eudora and totally understood how she felt about wanting to be in charge of her death. She was a bit rude at times, especially in the beginning of the book, but as she made friends with Rose and the other people she came into contact with, she became more pleasant. Rose was a fantastic character! I could see her in her clashing colourful clothes hopping from foot to foot in excitement.
This book was full of wonderful characters who made me laugh, and also brought a lump to my throat. I enjoyed the use of Eudora’s past history to learn more about her life and why she was the way she was. She’d had a lot of sadness in her life, so much so that at times I wanted to reach into the book and give her a big hug.
Annie Lyons, a new-to-me author has written a really lovely story about friendship, family, regret and letting go of the past. I highly recommend this if you enjoy heartwarming, contemporary fiction.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for my digital copy.
I liked Eudora and totally understood how she felt about wanting to be in charge of her death. She was a bit rude at times, especially in the beginning of the book, but as she made friends with Rose and the other people she came into contact with, she became more pleasant. Rose was a fantastic character! I could see her in her clashing colourful clothes hopping from foot to foot in excitement.
This book was full of wonderful characters who made me laugh, and also brought a lump to my throat. I enjoyed the use of Eudora’s past history to learn more about her life and why she was the way she was. She’d had a lot of sadness in her life, so much so that at times I wanted to reach into the book and give her a big hug.
Annie Lyons, a new-to-me author has written a really lovely story about friendship, family, regret and letting go of the past. I highly recommend this if you enjoy heartwarming, contemporary fiction.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for my digital copy.
traceyroberts's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I picked this book as part of a reading challenge to "read a book about a senior character". It made me laugh and it made me cry. So I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
I do like books with eccentric and crotchety characters. Eudora certainly fulfilled this perfectly . She is such a great character as was her new neighbour Rose. The pair really complimented each other.
I also enjoyed the sections in each chapter where we see Eudora's past, from war time to the death of her mother. This really shaped Eudora's character for me and explained why she is the way she is.
Perfect up-lit fiction.
I do like books with eccentric and crotchety characters. Eudora certainly fulfilled this perfectly . She is such a great character as was her new neighbour Rose. The pair really complimented each other.
I also enjoyed the sections in each chapter where we see Eudora's past, from war time to the death of her mother. This really shaped Eudora's character for me and explained why she is the way she is.
Perfect up-lit fiction.
natashas_notes's review
5.0
I read the ebook and audiobook of this and they were both great! 4.5 stars!
I finished about a minute ago and know this thought provoking book will stick with me. It covers the important topic of death, talking about it, preparing for the inevitable and living a good life while you can. It’s a difficult subject matter that was handled beautifully and wasn’t a struggle to read.
Eudora is 85 and wants to die with dignity and on her own terms, so she’s in contact with a Swiss facility to get everything in place for her death.
Throughout the book we get flashbacks through Eudora’s life to help us understand her more.
Along comes Rose. A young girl full of life, with no filter or concerns about saying or asking the wrong things. She moves next door to Eudora and will be Eudora’s friend whether Eudora wants to or not!
This dynamic duo becomes a trio when you add Stanley into the mix. A lonely widower with two dogs (Chas and Dave! Haha) and a kind heart.
This was a beautifully wholesome, lovely book that also made me cry. I’ll definitely check out the other books by this author.
I received a copy of the ebook and audiobook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. No need to talk this book up!
I finished about a minute ago and know this thought provoking book will stick with me. It covers the important topic of death, talking about it, preparing for the inevitable and living a good life while you can. It’s a difficult subject matter that was handled beautifully and wasn’t a struggle to read.
Eudora is 85 and wants to die with dignity and on her own terms, so she’s in contact with a Swiss facility to get everything in place for her death.
Throughout the book we get flashbacks through Eudora’s life to help us understand her more.
Along comes Rose. A young girl full of life, with no filter or concerns about saying or asking the wrong things. She moves next door to Eudora and will be Eudora’s friend whether Eudora wants to or not!
This dynamic duo becomes a trio when you add Stanley into the mix. A lonely widower with two dogs (Chas and Dave! Haha) and a kind heart.
This was a beautifully wholesome, lovely book that also made me cry. I’ll definitely check out the other books by this author.
I received a copy of the ebook and audiobook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. No need to talk this book up!
squinn's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
thisreadingnurse's review
4.0
What a delightful breath of fresh air. I love Eudora! I work with the elderly and I see my residents in Eudora and it just gives me such delight to see how much life she has left! Bless Rose for showing her this.
Such a powerful story - one we should all read.
Such a powerful story - one we should all read.
fictionophile's review
5.0
Eudora Honeysett – 85 years old and increasingly troubled by the usual ailments, vulnerabilities, and indignities of old age. Eudora has never been married and still lives in the London house she grew up in – her only company is a cantankerous black cat named Montgomery. She feels like she is ready to meet death ‘head on’ and she has no fear of its mysteries. Alone, with neither family or friends, Eudora feels that she is done with life. She despairs of the modern way of life with lack of manners, its technology, and public displays of affection.
“It’s such a nuisance that elderly people have to look so old. This shrunken, prune-like appearance, as if someone is slowly deflating them, is most unprepossessing.”
Rose Trewidney – a 10 year old, precocious, talkative, relentlessly cheerful girl with a colorful and often ill-advised dress sense. She has just moved in to the house next door to Eudora, and she makes it her mission in life to ease Eudora’s loneliness and become her best friend.
Though Eudora tries to resist Rose’s persistent attempts at forming a friendship, she realizes quickly that Rose is a ‘force of nature‘ who is impossible to resist.
Stanley Marcham – an elderly widower who lives near Eudora. Though he is very gregarious, he too is lonely, and grieving his beloved wife. He lives with two King Charles Cavalier spaniels who he walks regularly on Eudora’s street. When he comes on Rose’s radar, she adopts him as another of her ‘best friends‘.
“Life is precious and as long as we have a reason to continue,
we should follow that path.”
MY THOUGHTS
The unusual trio of Eudora, Stanley and Rose become true friends and their journey together is a joy to read. The importance of inter-generational relationships between the very young and the very old are showcased in an absorbing way.
The narrative switches from the present day to frequent flashbacks of Eudora’s life throughout the years. This gave the reader a comprehensive understanding of Eudora and her way of thinking.
The book discusses death, a topic that is usually avoided at all costs. It approaches this often taboo subject with empathy, compassion and levelheadedness. Also stressed in this novel is the paramount importance of being kind to others.
This lovely novel engenders all the emotions with its straight-forward Eudora and her dry humour. It is a book that I think everyone should read, regardless of their age as it clearly describes how it feels to get old – a state that is often neglected and ignored by society at large.
While reading Eudora’s story I was strongly reminded of Fredrik Backman’s “A Man Called Ove“. Fans of that book will surely love this one as well.
A heart-warming, life-affirming novel of intergenerational friendships. I laughed – I cried. It was a book that you feel like hugging at the end. ‘Uplit‘ at its finest! All the stars!
“It’s such a nuisance that elderly people have to look so old. This shrunken, prune-like appearance, as if someone is slowly deflating them, is most unprepossessing.”
Rose Trewidney – a 10 year old, precocious, talkative, relentlessly cheerful girl with a colorful and often ill-advised dress sense. She has just moved in to the house next door to Eudora, and she makes it her mission in life to ease Eudora’s loneliness and become her best friend.
Though Eudora tries to resist Rose’s persistent attempts at forming a friendship, she realizes quickly that Rose is a ‘force of nature‘ who is impossible to resist.
Stanley Marcham – an elderly widower who lives near Eudora. Though he is very gregarious, he too is lonely, and grieving his beloved wife. He lives with two King Charles Cavalier spaniels who he walks regularly on Eudora’s street. When he comes on Rose’s radar, she adopts him as another of her ‘best friends‘.
“Life is precious and as long as we have a reason to continue,
we should follow that path.”
MY THOUGHTS
The unusual trio of Eudora, Stanley and Rose become true friends and their journey together is a joy to read. The importance of inter-generational relationships between the very young and the very old are showcased in an absorbing way.
The narrative switches from the present day to frequent flashbacks of Eudora’s life throughout the years. This gave the reader a comprehensive understanding of Eudora and her way of thinking.
The book discusses death, a topic that is usually avoided at all costs. It approaches this often taboo subject with empathy, compassion and levelheadedness. Also stressed in this novel is the paramount importance of being kind to others.
This lovely novel engenders all the emotions with its straight-forward Eudora and her dry humour. It is a book that I think everyone should read, regardless of their age as it clearly describes how it feels to get old – a state that is often neglected and ignored by society at large.
While reading Eudora’s story I was strongly reminded of Fredrik Backman’s “A Man Called Ove“. Fans of that book will surely love this one as well.
A heart-warming, life-affirming novel of intergenerational friendships. I laughed – I cried. It was a book that you feel like hugging at the end. ‘Uplit‘ at its finest! All the stars!
talielovesbooks's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Audio UK for the complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You by Annie Lyons is both a delight and yet heart wrenching read. The book tells the story Eudora Honeysett, an eighty-five year old woman who is tired and has decided she wants to set her own terms for her death. Along this journey she discovers her new neighbor, ten year old Rose, and they strike up an unusual friendship.
The story takes place along two timelines, the current timeline, and a secondary timeline presented in flashbacks to Eudora's life. As you travel the timelines it is this interesting back and forth between amusement and joy to a somewhat sad and depressing secondary timeline.
I loved the multigenerational aspect of this story. It is heartwarming to watch the Rose and Eudora form such a strong bond in such a short period of time. Rose really is an absolute delight.
I highly recommend this story to people who love character driven stories. Fans of Me Before You might enjoy this one. It really is a beautiful story but a box of Kleenex are highly recommended. If you are a reader who like a faster pace or a very plot heavy story, this probably would not be the book for you.
Narration: I listened to the audiobook and think the narrator did an excellent job. She manages to capture the emotion of both Eudora and Rose perfectly, as well as a lot of other secondary characters.
Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You by Annie Lyons is both a delight and yet heart wrenching read. The book tells the story Eudora Honeysett, an eighty-five year old woman who is tired and has decided she wants to set her own terms for her death. Along this journey she discovers her new neighbor, ten year old Rose, and they strike up an unusual friendship.
The story takes place along two timelines, the current timeline, and a secondary timeline presented in flashbacks to Eudora's life. As you travel the timelines it is this interesting back and forth between amusement and joy to a somewhat sad and depressing secondary timeline.
I loved the multigenerational aspect of this story. It is heartwarming to watch the Rose and Eudora form such a strong bond in such a short period of time. Rose really is an absolute delight.
I highly recommend this story to people who love character driven stories. Fans of Me Before You might enjoy this one. It really is a beautiful story but a box of Kleenex are highly recommended. If you are a reader who like a faster pace or a very plot heavy story, this probably would not be the book for you.
Narration: I listened to the audiobook and think the narrator did an excellent job. She manages to capture the emotion of both Eudora and Rose perfectly, as well as a lot of other secondary characters.
bibliotreasures's review
5.0
Eudora Honeysett Is Quite Well, Thank You
"This is her decision. The ending to her story."
Gloriously uplifting, this was a balm for my soul. It wrapped itself around me like a warm hug and was exactly the read I needed.
The characters in this book are truly special. I instantly loved Eudora. Fiercely slightly cantankerous, she has a strength that is evident from the start. She prefers her own company and keeps interaction with others to the bare minimum, despairing of the selfishness of modern society. But behind her spiky facade, there's a warmth to her that she can't conceal. She was a fabulous character that I fell completely in love with and will stay in my heart forever.
"She isn't used to having such a force of nature in her life. This little girl is like a grenade full of joie de vive and Eudora has no idea why she has been chosen as a friend."
The trio of Eudora, Stanley and Rose was sheer perfection. I loved how Stanley and Rose brought out Eudora's softer side and how they complemented each other, creating a truly special friendship. And I think everyone could use a Rose in their life.
"The older she gets, the more redundant she feels. It's as if her life is a long corridor lined with different doors leading to activities past and present. In her youth, she could enter through any number of these doors... Now, most of the doors are marked with strict 'no entry' signs... It's not the end of the world but it's a shrunken world, which makes her feel a lot less useful."
But this is more than a cosy read. There's a depth to this book that the author expertly weaves in amongst the tenderness, joy, humour and heartache. She touches on the harsh truths of aging and how our society treats the older generation, highlighting in particular their isolation and pain. But it is her exploration of the subject of death, and in particular if a person should have the right to choose how and when they die, that is the most powerful part of this story.
"If I can have the choice of how I live my own life, why can't I choose how to die my own death?"
The author tackles this emotive and controversial subject with honesty, sensitivity and humour, helping the reader to see why someone might want to choose to die without being terminally ill or depressed. She also touches on our fear of death as a society, and questions if thinking any life is better than none at all, showing us how it really feels to be isolated, infirm, living with pain or dementia and asks if those people should be part of the conversation rather than just legislators.
This is one of those books that will take you through every emotion, but I dare you to try and read it without a smile on your face. Joyous, heartwarming, poignant and thought-provoking, this spectacular novel is a contender for my book of the year. I can't recommend it highly enough. Just have tissue at the ready and be prepared to fall in love.
"This is her decision. The ending to her story."
Gloriously uplifting, this was a balm for my soul. It wrapped itself around me like a warm hug and was exactly the read I needed.
The characters in this book are truly special. I instantly loved Eudora. Fiercely slightly cantankerous, she has a strength that is evident from the start. She prefers her own company and keeps interaction with others to the bare minimum, despairing of the selfishness of modern society. But behind her spiky facade, there's a warmth to her that she can't conceal. She was a fabulous character that I fell completely in love with and will stay in my heart forever.
"She isn't used to having such a force of nature in her life. This little girl is like a grenade full of joie de vive and Eudora has no idea why she has been chosen as a friend."
The trio of Eudora, Stanley and Rose was sheer perfection. I loved how Stanley and Rose brought out Eudora's softer side and how they complemented each other, creating a truly special friendship. And I think everyone could use a Rose in their life.
"The older she gets, the more redundant she feels. It's as if her life is a long corridor lined with different doors leading to activities past and present. In her youth, she could enter through any number of these doors... Now, most of the doors are marked with strict 'no entry' signs... It's not the end of the world but it's a shrunken world, which makes her feel a lot less useful."
But this is more than a cosy read. There's a depth to this book that the author expertly weaves in amongst the tenderness, joy, humour and heartache. She touches on the harsh truths of aging and how our society treats the older generation, highlighting in particular their isolation and pain. But it is her exploration of the subject of death, and in particular if a person should have the right to choose how and when they die, that is the most powerful part of this story.
"If I can have the choice of how I live my own life, why can't I choose how to die my own death?"
The author tackles this emotive and controversial subject with honesty, sensitivity and humour, helping the reader to see why someone might want to choose to die without being terminally ill or depressed. She also touches on our fear of death as a society, and questions if thinking any life is better than none at all, showing us how it really feels to be isolated, infirm, living with pain or dementia and asks if those people should be part of the conversation rather than just legislators.
This is one of those books that will take you through every emotion, but I dare you to try and read it without a smile on your face. Joyous, heartwarming, poignant and thought-provoking, this spectacular novel is a contender for my book of the year. I can't recommend it highly enough. Just have tissue at the ready and be prepared to fall in love.
bookbeforeuleap's review
5.0
Eudora is an 85 year old lady who is suffering the common aliments of old age and has decided she has had enough and wants to leave this world on her terms then the ever inquisitive Rose moves in next door and Eudora's life begins to change. Flicking between the present day situations Rose gets her involved in and insights into her past really help understand Eudora's character and why she behaved in certain ways.
This book tackles some serious issues such as loneliness, grief and friendship, in the most unlikely of places. The dynamic between the elderly woman and the young girl was a pleasure to read, it made me laugh, cry and have hope for the future.
The audio was excellent and really helped add to Eudora's sense of dignity and properness.
Fans of a man called Ove will definitely enjoy this one!
Thank you to One More Chapter for my copy and spot on the fantastic readalong of this one, I will definitely be recommending it to friends.
This book tackles some serious issues such as loneliness, grief and friendship, in the most unlikely of places. The dynamic between the elderly woman and the young girl was a pleasure to read, it made me laugh, cry and have hope for the future.
The audio was excellent and really helped add to Eudora's sense of dignity and properness.
Fans of a man called Ove will definitely enjoy this one!
Thank you to One More Chapter for my copy and spot on the fantastic readalong of this one, I will definitely be recommending it to friends.