Title: The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons
Book Beginnings quote:
Friday56 quote (from page 6, the last page of the preview):
Summary: Eudora Honeysett is 85-years-old, lives by herself, and is determined to die on her own terms. In fact she is waiting to hear back from a clinic in Switzerland which will help her die on those terms. She has seen what happens to people as they age and all the indignities that go along with it. She doesn't want her last years to be like them. Then she meets a new neighbor, Rose Trewidney, a ten-year-old twirling, rainbow of a girl who inject light, laughter, and love into her life. Suddenly Eudora is drawn into Rose's schemes for tea parties, swimming lessons, shopping sprees, trips to the beach, and pizza parties. At the same time Eudora meets another neighbor, Stanley, who also gets involved with Rose's plans and invites Eudora into his life, too. Suddenly Eudora finds herself reflecting back on moments from her childhood and aspects of her younger life. Eudora finally realized that she must make peace with her past before she moves forward with any plans.
Review: I bought a copy of this book for my mom. Mom is 92-years-old and big proponent of preparing for her own end. She is busy now cleaning out cupboards and file cabinets, spending time reflecting on her past and taking care of her plans. She doesn't want any messes left behind for her children to clean up. She also has a advanced health directive, not wanting any extraordinary measures to be used to keep her alive if she is sick. I thought Mom would enjoy meeting Eudora Honeysett, another oldster who wanted to talk about death and to make sure that her end is on her own terms. I appreciated reading a fictional book that takes a hard look at an important topic -- death. Yet in the midst of the story there was so much life!
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett is a book club selection. One other member worried we wouldn't have much to talk about but I disagree. I think the book will provide a good catalyst for a meaningful discussion on death, a topic that friends should not shy away from having together. I'll circle back around and let you know how the discussion goes after the meeting.
RHS book club, November/December 2021
-Anne
