Publishers Weekly
07/27/2020
Eudora Honeysett, a British woman in her twilight years, resolves to die on her own terms in the witty, endearing latest from Lyons (The Happiness List). After a fall on the pavement sends Eudora to the hospital, an encounter with another older woman in the waiting room (“ ‘Not long now for you and me,’ she wheezed,”) plants a seed in her mind, and she realizes she’s through with the pains, weakness, and fatigue of old age. She applies for a voluntary death provided by a medical clinic in Switzerland and marks her “Freedom” on the calendar, counting down the days until her appointment. Lyons unfurls Eudora’s life story, including her grief over losing her father in WWII, alongside a surprising new friendship for Eudora with Rose Trewidney, a 10-year-old spitfire who’s moved in next door and thrust herself into the daily routine of Eudora and her widower neighbor Stanley Marcham. As Eudora’s hardened exterior softens with this newfound kinship, she is still adamant about getting on with her plans (“If I can have the choice of how I live my own life, why can’t I choose how to die my own death?”). Lyons strikes a winning balance, reaching deep feelings while avoiding the traps of sentimentality. Agent: Laura Macdougall, United Agents LLP. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
"One adorably British odd couple . . . Charming." — People
“The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett is an exquisitely poignant tale of life, friendship and facing death. In the latter, the author dares to explore a subject that many shy away from, but she does so with touching sensitivity, gentle humour and absolute honesty. Eudora’s courage, dignity and wry sense of fun are beautifully drawn as she takes the reader on the heart-breaking yet ultimately uplifting journey of her life and death. Everyone should read this book.” — Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost Things and The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova
"Lyons’ characters are unique and wonderful, portrayed with a depth that allows readers to understand their motivations and empathize with them. . . . And yet the trio's unlikely camaraderie has the power to rejuvenate them all, showing that good friendship makes life worth living. A sensitive examination of human connections that can both damage and heal." — Kirkus Reviews
"Witty, endearing . . . Lyons strikes a winning balance, reaching deep feelings while avoiding the traps of sentimentality." — Publishers Weekly
"Lyons’ touching tale of intergenerational friendship is reminiscent of Frederik Backman’s A Man Called Ove . . . this is a thoroughly enchanting feel-good read." — Booklist
"The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett is filled with personable characters, witty dialogue and relatable moments. It’s a vibrant and humorous celebration of being alive and learning to say goodbye." — Bookpage
“A charming, thought-provoking story about the healing powers of friendship and love.” — Shelf Awareness
Bookpage
"The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett is filled with personable characters, witty dialogue and relatable moments. It’s a vibrant and humorous celebration of being alive and learning to say goodbye."
Booklist
"Lyons’ touching tale of intergenerational friendship is reminiscent of Frederik Backman’s A Man Called Ove . . . this is a thoroughly enchanting feel-good read."
Ruth Hogan
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett is an exquisitely poignant tale of life, friendship and facing death. In the latter, the author dares to explore a subject that many shy away from, but she does so with touching sensitivity, gentle humour and absolute honesty. Eudora’s courage, dignity and wry sense of fun are beautifully drawn as she takes the reader on the heart-breaking yet ultimately uplifting journey of her life and death. Everyone should read this book.
Shelf Awareness
A charming, thought-provoking story about the healing powers of friendship and love.
Booklist
"Lyons’ touching tale of intergenerational friendship is reminiscent of Frederik Backman’s A Man Called Ove . . . this is a thoroughly enchanting feel-good read."
People magazine
"One adorably British odd couple . . . Charming."
Kirkus Reviews
2020-07-01
Eudora Honeysett is 85 and wants the privilege of dying on her own terms. And soon, please.
Growing up in England during World War II, 10-year-old Eudora watches her father go off to fight. When a knock on the door brings the devastating news that he will not be returning, Eudora finds herself living up to her promise to take care of her mother and sister. After a life of sacrifice and heartbreak interspersed with joyful moments, she now watches the world outside her window with a jaded eye. Eudora does some research and finds an agency in Switzerland that just might be the answer to her wish to die. She soon finds herself on the phone with the agency explaining why she is ready to pull the plug. In the midst of her death plans, a rambunctious knock at the door brings an annoyance in the form of 10-year-old Rose, a new neighbor who’s irrepressibly joyful and not to be ignored. Rose introduces Eudora to Stanley, an elderly neighbor, and they soon become an unlikely trio, enjoying life at Rose’s whim. When Eudora tells her pals she’s off to Switzerland for a “vacation,” Rose sends her off with a promise to bring back a Toblerone, and Stanley drives her to the airport. Then there is a phone call that challenges Eudora’s plans and forces her to decide what really matters. Lyons’ characters are unique and wonderful, portrayed with a depth that allows readers to understand their motivations and empathize with them. Her childhood promise directed most of Eudora’s choices in life except for one that haunts her. Quirky, insightful Rose is bullied and thus gravitates to her kindly older friends. Stanley recently lost his wife and struggles to regain his footing. And yet the trio's unlikely camaraderie has the power to rejuvenate them all, showing that good friendship makes life worth living.
A sensitive examination of human connections that can both damage and heal.
