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A review by stacyroth
How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper
3.0
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Andrew works as a public health employee in London, searching for next of kin for people who die alone, trying not to think about the fact that someday, he will be the one dying alone. His co-workers don't know that, though, as he pretended to have a wife and two kids during his interview and has kept the lie going these past few years. In Andrew's mind, this fantasy brings him happiness. When Peggy joins his department, though, he feels a connection to her and begins to think of having an actual friendship/relationship with someone. Can he find the courage to take that step?
Andrew's decisions to keep up the ruse kept making me cringe; I wanted to be able to shake his shoulders and tell him to let the truth out to quell his anxiety, though it was expected given the blurb. It wasn't just that, though; Peggy was married. I did enjoy reading about Andrew's job; what happens when people die alone wasn't something I had thought about prior to this book. It wasn't a bad book, but it's not among my favorites of the year so far.
Trigger warning for suicidal thoughts, abuse, and alcoholism
Andrew works as a public health employee in London, searching for next of kin for people who die alone, trying not to think about the fact that someday, he will be the one dying alone. His co-workers don't know that, though, as he pretended to have a wife and two kids during his interview and has kept the lie going these past few years. In Andrew's mind, this fantasy brings him happiness. When Peggy joins his department, though, he feels a connection to her and begins to think of having an actual friendship/relationship with someone. Can he find the courage to take that step?
Andrew's decisions to keep up the ruse kept making me cringe; I wanted to be able to shake his shoulders and tell him to let the truth out to quell his anxiety, though it was expected given the blurb. It wasn't just that, though; Peggy was married. I did enjoy reading about Andrew's job; what happens when people die alone wasn't something I had thought about prior to this book. It wasn't a bad book, but it's not among my favorites of the year so far.
Trigger warning for suicidal thoughts, abuse, and alcoholism