A review by distilledreads
When All Is Said by Anne Griffin

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was an incredible book reflecting on life, death, and legacy. Maurice Hannigan is a convoluted character. There were some moments from his life that he recounted that had me cringing, but with each chapter and memory he shares, his reasoning and motivations become apparent. Love underscored everything in his life, but he was not able to communicate that, and that is just one thing he reflects on at the end of his life. 

The premise of summing your entire lifetime up in five people with five toasts in brilliant to me. Griffin did an incredible job. This is a book that I see myself returning to and one that I had to sit in silence with when I finished. 

A final note, I listened to the audiobook version and this is the best narration I have ever listened to — no exaggeration. Niall Buggy did an incredible job. The emotion in his voice had me laughing and crying throughout the book and it was the most beautiful interpretation of this character.