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melmattocks21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Highly recommend this book when you need a cathartic cry. Such a wonderful, yet sad story of a woman in her 80s and how an unlikely friendship with her 10 year old neighbor changed and prolonged her life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
tracey1981's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.75
I liked: how the book encouraged talking about death more. Especially with kids. I liked the subtle moments like later in the book when a receptionist or someone was kind of harsh or snippy with Eudora and instead of telling them off she noted that maybe they were having a bad day. I liked seeing that kind of subtle change/shift in her character. And I liked that the ending felt realistic.
There wasn’t too much I didn’t like but I guess some parts felt a bit predictable and too…on the nose I guess? Which is why I appreciated the subtler moments. Still, overall this was well worth reading.
There wasn’t too much I didn’t like but I guess some parts felt a bit predictable and too…on the nose I guess? Which is why I appreciated the subtler moments. Still, overall this was well worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
voela321's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Fans of A Man Called Ove (like me) will also likely adore this book. Eudora Honeysett is 85 years old, lives alone and feels like she is at the end of her life. She begins the process of applying to a clinic in Switzerland where she can be in control of her own death. In the process of planning her death, though, she finds that life intervenes in the form of a 10 yo new neighbor named Rose and her family and an elderly new friend named Stanley. As she proceeds along the application path for the clinic Rose and Stanley seem to continually point out how much life she still has to live. The story of her developing friendship with Rose and Stanley is intermixed with the story of Eudora’s past and along the way this novel reveals the beauty in a life well lived.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal death
silversparkles50's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Cancer, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
blovesbooks80's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
alyssajoy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Title: The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett
Author: Annie Lyons
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5.0
Pub Date: September 8, 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Humorous • Uplifting • Witty
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Eighty-five-year-old Eudora knows she doesn't want her final days to be in a hospital bed hooked up to machines, which is how her mother's life came to an end. And so she decides to take her death into her own hands by getting in contact with a clinic in Switzerland, where she can die on her own terms and timeline.
When ten-year-old Rose, and her family, move in next door, she barges into Eudora's life and claims her as her best friend. Rose is so full of life and cheer and even though Eudora wants nothing more than to be left alone, she finds herself embarking on different adventures with Rose and recently widowed Stanley. Rose is a constant reminder of what it means to be alive.
A powerful story of unlikely friendships, of how the past shapes us, and of what it means to live and die.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett is an uplifting and charming read that I won't soon forget. I completely fell in love with the cast of unique characters, particular the unlikely and quirky trio of Eudora, Rose and Stanley. Annie Lyons really brought the characters to life, in such a way that I wanted to join in on their many adventures. Rose, wise beyond her years is so full of sunshine that I couldn't help but laugh at her curiosity and spirit.
There's an interesting structure here, with a section of Eudora's past at the end of most chapters, but it worked really well for the story. It gave a glimpse into Eudora's past, and how it shaped her into the person she is, while driving the story forward at a steady pace.
Beyond the cast of characters and feel-good writing, the reason I cannot stop thinking about this story is the power of human connection and the exploration of death. In Western culture, it's the cultural norm to deny death and shy away from talking about it. Yet through the characters'honesty and curiosity it presents a different view of death. It can stimulate conversation surrounding death, but also about how we live. As the author talks about in 'about the book' section at the end "to face death not with fear, but with hope and honesty."
Overall, a profoundly enjoyable reading experience exploring the power of kindness, human mortality with humour and hope. Another book to add to my list of growing books with a curmudgeon (#grumplit) that I love. One that will be found on my favourites shelf for years to come.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• all readers!
• fans of A Man Call Ove
• books clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'I always used to think it was silly when people said life was short, but I completely get that now. We're here for such a limited time. The least we can do it try to be kind to the people around us. Humans seem to forget that so easily.'"
"People don't talk about death. Not really. People fear it. Ignore it. Deny it. They're happy to blow one another's heads off in those infernal video games or devour horrific films where people are murdered in the most gruesome of ways, while refusing to face the reality of what death is or to have a grown-up discussion about what it means."
Author: Annie Lyons
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5.0
Pub Date: September 8, 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Humorous • Uplifting • Witty
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Eighty-five-year-old Eudora knows she doesn't want her final days to be in a hospital bed hooked up to machines, which is how her mother's life came to an end. And so she decides to take her death into her own hands by getting in contact with a clinic in Switzerland, where she can die on her own terms and timeline.
When ten-year-old Rose, and her family, move in next door, she barges into Eudora's life and claims her as her best friend. Rose is so full of life and cheer and even though Eudora wants nothing more than to be left alone, she finds herself embarking on different adventures with Rose and recently widowed Stanley. Rose is a constant reminder of what it means to be alive.
A powerful story of unlikely friendships, of how the past shapes us, and of what it means to live and die.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett is an uplifting and charming read that I won't soon forget. I completely fell in love with the cast of unique characters, particular the unlikely and quirky trio of Eudora, Rose and Stanley. Annie Lyons really brought the characters to life, in such a way that I wanted to join in on their many adventures. Rose, wise beyond her years is so full of sunshine that I couldn't help but laugh at her curiosity and spirit.
There's an interesting structure here, with a section of Eudora's past at the end of most chapters, but it worked really well for the story. It gave a glimpse into Eudora's past, and how it shaped her into the person she is, while driving the story forward at a steady pace.
Beyond the cast of characters and feel-good writing, the reason I cannot stop thinking about this story is the power of human connection and the exploration of death. In Western culture, it's the cultural norm to deny death and shy away from talking about it. Yet through the characters'honesty and curiosity it presents a different view of death. It can stimulate conversation surrounding death, but also about how we live. As the author talks about in 'about the book' section at the end "to face death not with fear, but with hope and honesty."
Overall, a profoundly enjoyable reading experience exploring the power of kindness, human mortality with humour and hope. Another book to add to my list of growing books with a curmudgeon (#grumplit) that I love. One that will be found on my favourites shelf for years to come.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• all readers!
• fans of A Man Call Ove
• books clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'I always used to think it was silly when people said life was short, but I completely get that now. We're here for such a limited time. The least we can do it try to be kind to the people around us. Humans seem to forget that so easily.'"
"People don't talk about death. Not really. People fear it. Ignore it. Deny it. They're happy to blow one another's heads off in those infernal video games or devour horrific films where people are murdered in the most gruesome of ways, while refusing to face the reality of what death is or to have a grown-up discussion about what it means."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage
Minor: Bullying
linesiunderline's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’d say this book was exactly what I expected going in - gentle, heartfelt and heartwarming, sad but with a sense of hope, wistful, and a little bit funny.
Strengths included:
- Eudora’s voice and strong personality (I’d have a cup of tea with her any day)
- Rose was utterly delightful, you could feel her joie de vivre and quirkiness springing off the page
- the dynamic between Stanley, Rose, and Eudora
- deft handling of the past and present storylines
I just wish I’d felt a sense of being in some way surprised by the book, or finding something I hadn’t anticipated in the story. It certainly was satisfying and endearing though.
Readalikes include: The Lido, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, A Man Called Ove, Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
Strengths included:
- Eudora’s voice and strong personality (I’d have a cup of tea with her any day)
- Rose was utterly delightful, you could feel her joie de vivre and quirkiness springing off the page
- the dynamic between Stanley, Rose, and Eudora
- deft handling of the past and present storylines
I just wish I’d felt a sense of being in some way surprised by the book, or finding something I hadn’t anticipated in the story. It certainly was satisfying and endearing though.
Readalikes include: The Lido, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, A Man Called Ove, Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Medical content
Minor: Domestic abuse and Suicide attempt
ellierumoo's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was everything I hoped for after reading the summary; It is a tear-jerker, but not in a painful way. If you are in the need of a novel that casts away bitterness, and welcomes the weary- you are in luck <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Medical content, Miscarriage, and Sexism
Mentions of warthrillofthepage's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Last month I read The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons and was so moved I didn’t pick up another book for days! This is easily going to make my Top 10 of 2021 and might even be a contender for my book of the year. I’ve seen a lot of comparisons to A Man Called Ove, which I’m sure I’m the only person on booksta that hasn’t read it, but this book yall....it made my heart swell and gave me all the feels
Eudora is a character that will stick with me forever. She has had a challenging life, but one of her own making in a way. She’s never been content or allowed herself to be happy and has decided that she wants to die on her own terms. Eudora is definitely a curmudgeon, but I found her so endearing and real. Throughout the story we get flashbacks of her life and they broke my heart. The obligations she imposed on herself and the tragedy she encountered from a young age broke me.
Eudora is determined to follow through with her plans, but everything is interrupted when young Rose moves in next door. Oh, sweet, energetic Rose...what a girl after my own heart. Her innocence and lust for life are so uplifting! She has a no filter attitude and a fashion sense that will blow your mind. The relationship she develops with Eudora is one for the ages. Rose is so spunky and enthusiastic and as her zest for life rubs off on Eudora it left the biggest smile on my face.
I honestly can’t say enough about my feelings toward this book. It was so incredibly written and powerful. The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett will make you feel all the the things and I cannot recommend it enough!
Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
TW: assisted suicide, death of a parent, physical abuse, infant death, death of an animal
Eudora is a character that will stick with me forever. She has had a challenging life, but one of her own making in a way. She’s never been content or allowed herself to be happy and has decided that she wants to die on her own terms. Eudora is definitely a curmudgeon, but I found her so endearing and real. Throughout the story we get flashbacks of her life and they broke my heart. The obligations she imposed on herself and the tragedy she encountered from a young age broke me.
Eudora is determined to follow through with her plans, but everything is interrupted when young Rose moves in next door. Oh, sweet, energetic Rose...what a girl after my own heart. Her innocence and lust for life are so uplifting! She has a no filter attitude and a fashion sense that will blow your mind. The relationship she develops with Eudora is one for the ages. Rose is so spunky and enthusiastic and as her zest for life rubs off on Eudora it left the biggest smile on my face.
I honestly can’t say enough about my feelings toward this book. It was so incredibly written and powerful. The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett will make you feel all the the things and I cannot recommend it enough!
Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
TW: assisted suicide, death of a parent, physical abuse, infant death, death of an animal
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Murder
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