The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
cheesehead_reader's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm... I liked the overall idea of the story. Andrew has a job that I had not heard of before. He goes in when someone dies alone (sometimes not found for months) and has to determine if there is any money or family that will help the state pay for the funeral/burial costs. Andrew is rather sweet with his job because he remembers those he has worked for and attends the funerals (usually the only person there). But Andrew is hiding something in his real life and lying about it. Where will all this lead?
As I said I really liked the overall idea for this story but there were just a few things in the execution that kept me from becoming totally engrossed in it. I felt that the segways between chapters were sometimes disjointed and I had to go back to read the last few paragraphs/pages to see if I had missed something. And I felt that Andrew's lie went on a bit too long and once out the story was wrapped up rather quickly. But overall I liked it and would definitely look for more by this author.
As I said I really liked the overall idea for this story but there were just a few things in the execution that kept me from becoming totally engrossed in it. I felt that the segways between chapters were sometimes disjointed and I had to go back to read the last few paragraphs/pages to see if I had missed something. And I felt that Andrew's lie went on a bit too long and once out the story was wrapped up rather quickly. But overall I liked it and would definitely look for more by this author.
tinkabel_89's review against another edition
2.0
I couldn't connect with the main character in this book.. I read 2/3 of this book and I felt as though nothing really happened.
bookishlifeofabbyh's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a while to really get into this book but about halfway through, I was hooked. Odd story but a good one.
michellekmartin's review against another edition
2.0
How Not to Die Alone is a story about grief, loss, and loneliness. I read this one over a matter of a few days and overall enjoyed it but did find it to be a bit predictable. The story follows Andrew, a forty-something single man, who works for the government going to deceased people's houses and searching for a next of kin. He is lonely and the people whose houses he searches are lonely and overall there was a lot of loneliness in this book! Luckily, a new coworker comes into his life and things start to turn around for him.
While I did find this one predictable, the characters were extremely likable and there was a bit of a twist towards the end that surprised me.
While I did find this one predictable, the characters were extremely likable and there was a bit of a twist towards the end that surprised me.
maggielane12's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
extraextrareadallaboutit's review against another edition
3.0
This was a nice book. It kinda had the same feel as The Rosie Project to me. Although it had some moments that made me laugh out loud and characters like Peggy who were super endearing, it didn't quite get where I was hoping it would as a whole.
Roper did explore and approach loneliness in thoughtful ways. When he highlighted the council's growth in the sector assigned to locating next of kin and arranging funerals for lone deaths, it served to illustrate the changing nature of our society.
It sparks light on the debate as to whether technology has in fact brought anyone closer together or just allowed us to end our days completely cloistered and companionless when it matters most. Like, when your body needs finding or your funeral needs planning.
Given Andrew's only friends in the book are online though, maybe Roper wasn't trying to do that at all. Maybe he was just highlighting how as people we often sweat the small stuff, we lose touch, our priorities are out of whack. Perhaps this was his appeal for us to remember what matters most which is how we choose to show up for one another, especially when it counts.
Roper did explore and approach loneliness in thoughtful ways. When he highlighted the council's growth in the sector assigned to locating next of kin and arranging funerals for lone deaths, it served to illustrate the changing nature of our society.
It sparks light on the debate as to whether technology has in fact brought anyone closer together or just allowed us to end our days completely cloistered and companionless when it matters most. Like, when your body needs finding or your funeral needs planning.
Given Andrew's only friends in the book are online though, maybe Roper wasn't trying to do that at all. Maybe he was just highlighting how as people we often sweat the small stuff, we lose touch, our priorities are out of whack. Perhaps this was his appeal for us to remember what matters most which is how we choose to show up for one another, especially when it counts.
128a's review against another edition
4.0
Very, very sweet. Perfect weekend book. Recommend, especially if you also like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
thecurseofchris's review against another edition
4.0
So here's the thing about this book: I had to skim a chunk of it.
But not because the book is bad, but rather, because of the themes it talks about. It deals a lot with death, loneliness, and mental illness, so a lot of the "heavier" details just made me depressed.
However, the main plot line for the main character was genuinely good, and I quite enjoyed the author's writing style. I'd definitely recommend this book for the story alone, but you need to prepare yourself for the sad themes or you may be turned off by it.
But not because the book is bad, but rather, because of the themes it talks about. It deals a lot with death, loneliness, and mental illness, so a lot of the "heavier" details just made me depressed.
However, the main plot line for the main character was genuinely good, and I quite enjoyed the author's writing style. I'd definitely recommend this book for the story alone, but you need to prepare yourself for the sad themes or you may be turned off by it.
bookapotamus's review against another edition
5.0
Is it weird to say a book that leans so much on the subject of death was one of the most fun things I've read this year?
Andrew is kind of in the "business of death" - he works to find next of kin for those who have died alone. You know - those people who's bodies are found in their apartments 6 months after they've died and only because the rent checks weren't being paid? It's a grim job - I expect there's always someone who has to do it. But Andrew is pretty good at it. Although he did have to tell one teeny tiny white lie to get the job.
Nothing too crazy - just a fake wife, and fake kids, and a fake house in a posh neighborhood. In order to look (and feel) like less of a "loser" he makes up a whole family and continues the ruse for years... until someone special finally enters his life and he's faced with exposure.
This book is fun and quirky and sweet. But it's also equally sad and uplifting and like no other story I've read. And boy was it FUN! I loved following Andrew and Peggy along to their home visits, as I've always been fascinated by death, and the business of it, and it was an interesting side angle to the story.
I was rooting for Andrew throughout. To finally find happiness and curious to find what went down in his past that made him feel like he needed to fake it to make it. But also to come clean, and embrace a brighter future, and finally get the happiness he deserves
The story is funny and warm and a breath of fresh air. Highly reccommned!
Andrew is kind of in the "business of death" - he works to find next of kin for those who have died alone. You know - those people who's bodies are found in their apartments 6 months after they've died and only because the rent checks weren't being paid? It's a grim job - I expect there's always someone who has to do it. But Andrew is pretty good at it. Although he did have to tell one teeny tiny white lie to get the job.
Nothing too crazy - just a fake wife, and fake kids, and a fake house in a posh neighborhood. In order to look (and feel) like less of a "loser" he makes up a whole family and continues the ruse for years... until someone special finally enters his life and he's faced with exposure.
This book is fun and quirky and sweet. But it's also equally sad and uplifting and like no other story I've read. And boy was it FUN! I loved following Andrew and Peggy along to their home visits, as I've always been fascinated by death, and the business of it, and it was an interesting side angle to the story.
I was rooting for Andrew throughout. To finally find happiness and curious to find what went down in his past that made him feel like he needed to fake it to make it. But also to come clean, and embrace a brighter future, and finally get the happiness he deserves
The story is funny and warm and a breath of fresh air. Highly reccommned!