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fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I had a really horribly difficult day at work - the kind that makes me need to have a really good cry. I give this book a five because it gave me a good reason to let myself cry. I don’t know what a diffident experience I would’ve had with this book on another day, but because I read it today and because I had the day I did, I give it a five.
I would love to see the actual journal Clover kept as a separate book.
The only thing that bothered me was she was so clear on the ethics of sharing her deceased clients’ secrets, but she no qualms about blabbing about her loving clients’ secrets. However, it would’ve been a very different story without this blabbing.
The best characters were the elderly - Claudia, Bessie, Leo, and grandpa. I didn’t love any of the other characters. Oh wait. I did really like Hugo. I think I would like them more if I spent more time with them - like in a sequel.
I would love to see the actual journal Clover kept as a separate book.
The only thing that bothered me was she was so clear on the ethics of sharing her deceased clients’ secrets, but she no qualms about blabbing about her loving clients’ secrets. However, it would’ve been a very different story without this blabbing.
The best characters were the elderly - Claudia, Bessie, Leo, and grandpa. I didn’t love any of the other characters. Oh wait. I did really like Hugo. I think I would like them more if I spent more time with them - like in a sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Death, and Sexism
cassie7e's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Pleasantly written, enjoyable enough. Didn't strike me emotionally as much as it has for others. A good cozy read for fall (Halloween or Day of the Dead) or winter.
A story of a woman who honors and lives out others' regrets to avoid facing her own. At first I was uncertain about the story since I'm tired of insecure overthinking female protagonists (not that theyre unrealistic). Clover is somehow both overly self critical and aware of every "awkward" moment no one else would notice, and completely un-self aware, confused every time anyone notices anything about her.
but I appreciated the dynamics and developments with other characters. Despite attending multiple family funerals this year, this book didn't really make me reflect on the deaths in my own life because it's so much about Clover's growth specifically, and I didn't resonate with any of the characters' relationships with death.
A story of a woman who honors and lives out others' regrets to avoid facing her own. At first I was uncertain about the story since I'm tired of insecure overthinking female protagonists (not that theyre unrealistic). Clover is somehow both overly self critical and aware of every "awkward" moment no one else would notice, and completely un-self aware, confused every time anyone notices anything about her.
but I appreciated the dynamics and developments with other characters. Despite attending multiple family funerals this year, this book didn't really make me reflect on the deaths in my own life because it's so much about Clover's growth specifically, and I didn't resonate with any of the characters' relationships with death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Terminal illness and Grief
_hannah_may_'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
maeverose's review against another edition
4.0
TL;DR: A fun escape, with a simple but important message, even if that message comes with an assumed level of privilege.
I expected it to be a little more focused on Clover’s job, we only actually see three of her clients, most of the book is focused on her own life. But I didn’t mind. I do think the overall message - live life to it’s fullest - was pretty simple and repeated a lot, but it is an important reminder. I didn’t know death doulas were a real thing until I looked it up after discovering this book, and it was really interesting to learn about it. I think thats a really beautiful service to exist, and I might try to learn more about it now. Hugo 2.0 was a little too comically perfect, though I still liked him.
I related a little too much to Clover. On one hand, it’s nice to read stories like this where people in similar situations to me finally meet people and get to live their life, because (much like Clover) I can live vicariously through them, on the other hand, it often simplifies things in an unrealistic (privileged) way. I wish it were that easy to just force yourself to socialize and then bam you have friends but when you’re multiply disabled (especially in ways that directly affect socializing) it’s much harder. This isn’t a complaint about the book, just some thoughts that I have after reading it. I feel like, as depressing as it is, it’s important to include the fact that not everyone is able to ‘live their life to it’s fullest’, for reasons that are out of their control. It’s a privilege to be able to do that. A lot of the time you need money (for therapy if you have social anxiety, for food/drinks/events where you’d be going to socialize, to travel and try new things), free time, a job to make said money, a mode of transportation, etc. Most stories like this ignore that. As an escape it was a good book, as a piece of advice it’s unfortunately not something I can easily apply to my life, which leaves me feeling a bit :/
I related a little too much to Clover. On one hand, it’s nice to read stories like this where people in similar situations to me finally meet people and get to live their life, because (much like Clover) I can live vicariously through them, on the other hand, it often simplifies things in an unrealistic (privileged) way. I wish it were that easy to just force yourself to socialize and then bam you have friends but when you’re multiply disabled (especially in ways that directly affect socializing) it’s much harder. This isn’t a complaint about the book, just some thoughts that I have after reading it. I feel like, as depressing as it is, it’s important to include the fact that not everyone is able to ‘live their life to it’s fullest’, for reasons that are out of their control. It’s a privilege to be able to do that. A lot of the time you need money (for therapy if you have social anxiety, for food/drinks/events where you’d be going to socialize, to travel and try new things), free time, a job to make said money, a mode of transportation, etc. Most stories like this ignore that. As an escape it was a good book, as a piece of advice it’s unfortunately not something I can easily apply to my life, which leaves me feeling a bit :/
Also I found it incredibly uncomfortable that Clover spied on her neighbor’s in their homes with binoculars… Like Sylvie didn’t even seem creeped out by that. It was so weird.
Quotes:
“I liked to feel the icy breeze nibbling at my cheeks as I walked, to watch the cloud materialize then vanish with each of my breaths — confirmations that I was still here, still living.”
“It frustrated me that society was so determined to quantify grief, as if time could erase the potency of love. Or, on the other hand, how it dictated that grief for someone you knew fleetingly should be equally as fleeting.”
“An incongruous tug of war between the need for solitude and the craving for emotional connection— I didn’t want company, but I didn’t want to feel alone.”
“- the secret to a beautiful death is to live a beautiful life. Putting your heart out there. Letting it get broken. Taking chances. Making mistakes.”
Quotes:
“I liked to feel the icy breeze nibbling at my cheeks as I walked, to watch the cloud materialize then vanish with each of my breaths — confirmations that I was still here, still living.”
“It frustrated me that society was so determined to quantify grief, as if time could erase the potency of love. Or, on the other hand, how it dictated that grief for someone you knew fleetingly should be equally as fleeting.”
“An incongruous tug of war between the need for solitude and the craving for emotional connection— I didn’t want company, but I didn’t want to feel alone.”
“- the secret to a beautiful death is to live a beautiful life. Putting your heart out there. Letting it get broken. Taking chances. Making mistakes.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Bullying, Medical content, Excrement, and Stalking
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Fatphobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Alzheimers mentioncorriejn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Terminal illness
mandi_lea's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Cancer, and Terminal illness
vj_thompson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
A thought provoking book that asks two questions. “Are you currently doing what makes you happy,” and, “What is it that you most regret?”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Bullying, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Medical content, and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcoholism and Sexism
atamano's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Death, and Cancer
Moderate: Sexism and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol
bookrokosmos's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness
fink1129's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Most of the book was a solid 3/5 stars. I had never heard of a death doula. It was such a calming/refreshing view on death. It really looked into how we all deal with grief in different ways, how life can come full circle. How as you experience obstacles in life you not only realize you needed some of those to really appreciate and understand the good things in life. It’s a beautiful story with a fantastic message and really in the end is about found family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Death of parent