The Household Guide to Dying

by Debra Adelaide

This is the Gresford book club choice for May, and happens to be part of the CWA collection. While it can be confronting at times, as it is written (fictionally) from the point of view of a dying woman, it is also full of common sense. The main character writes household guides for a living and also an advice column. Excerpts from the guide and samples of her replies to readers’ letters form a framework to the narrator’s story of coming to terms with her own death, and the loss of her son years before.

It is not a morbid narrative, even though it is emotionally stirring at times. Delia is a practical woman with a loving mother, husband and daughters, and while she regrets her illness and impending death she acknowledges that life is full of wonder. She has loose ends to tie up and is determined to make peace with her early departure by being positive and proactive. For example she orders her own coffin and allows it to become part of the veranda furniture before it is needed. There are some nice touches of humour. Delia is a Jane Austen fan and has named her five hens after the daughters in Pride and Prejudice. Her surname is Bennet, as is theirs. Adelaide has written an engaging and thought-provoking book.

All books reviewed are from the CWA library on a separate shelf in the library so they are easy to find plus the reviews are in a folder. Also have a look in the street library.