Review of Not Dead Yet
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Review of Not Dead Yet
[Following is a volunteer review of "Not Dead Yet" by Mark Fletcher.]
Mark Fletcher's novel Not Dead Yet is set in a nursing home and follows the lives of the patients through a mix of humour, tragedy, and real humanity. The novel does not follow a single protagonist; rather, it introduces a cast of old characters who are all dealing with the reality of ageing but refusing to fade into the background. Through interconnected vignettes, Fletcher paints a vivid picture of love, regret, rebellion, and resilience in life’s final act.
Some books take you on grand adventures across galaxies, others throw you into the depths of human emotion. Not Dead Yet does a little bit of both—except the universe it explores is a nursing home, and the emotions it stirs are as wild as any interstellar odyssey. Mark Fletcher doesn’t just tell stories about elderly people; he hands them the mic and lets them run the show. And trust me, they have a lot to say.
This isn’t some sentimental, sugar-coated depiction of old age. Fletcher gives us messy, hilarious, heartbreaking, and deeply human snapshots of the lives within an aged care facility. Each chapter spotlights a different resident, each with their quirks, regrets, and unfulfilled dreams. There’s Alexander Duckworth, who’s obsessed with people getting his name right (seriously, don’t mess it up). Shirley, whose stand-up comedy routine could rival any open-mic night. Frank and Douglas, navigate love when the world thinks they’re past their prime. And Elsie, who wants one last ride on a rollercoaster.
The book doesn’t follow a strict chronological order, instead jumping between past and present, making it feel like you’re flipping through a scrapbook of memories rather than reading a structured novel. This approach keeps things interesting—one moment you're laughing at a ludicrous lunchroom dispute, the next you're holding back tears at a character's final goodbye.
Fletcher’s writing is sharp, witty, and unflinchingly honest. He doesn’t romanticize old age, nor does he pity his characters. Instead, he presents them in all their raw, wonderful imperfection. The friendships are touching, the humour is biting, and the loneliness is palpable. There were moments when I had to pause to sit with the weight of a sentence. And then there were moments I laughed out loud because, well, boiled lollies are apparently the worst.
The real magic of Not Dead Yet is its ability to shift perspectives. We live in a world that treats the elderly as relics of the past instead of people with stories to tell. Fletcher smashes that narrative. These aren’t just “old people.” They’re rebels, dreamers, lovers, and mischief-makers. They are, quite simply, alive.
That being said, Not Dead Yet is a book I didn’t expect to love as much as I did. It’s a reminder that life doesn’t end when the hair turns grey. If you want a book that makes you laugh, cry, and think about calling your grandparents, this is the one for you. So, I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars. The book is professionally edited, as I did not notice any errors while reading.
Final verdict: A touching, darkly funny, and unflinching look at ageing that’ll leave you with a fresh appreciation for life’s final chapters.
******
Not Dead Yet
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Mark Fletcher's novel Not Dead Yet is set in a nursing home and follows the lives of the patients through a mix of humour, tragedy, and real humanity. The novel does not follow a single protagonist; rather, it introduces a cast of old characters who are all dealing with the reality of ageing but refusing to fade into the background. Through interconnected vignettes, Fletcher paints a vivid picture of love, regret, rebellion, and resilience in life’s final act.
Some books take you on grand adventures across galaxies, others throw you into the depths of human emotion. Not Dead Yet does a little bit of both—except the universe it explores is a nursing home, and the emotions it stirs are as wild as any interstellar odyssey. Mark Fletcher doesn’t just tell stories about elderly people; he hands them the mic and lets them run the show. And trust me, they have a lot to say.
This isn’t some sentimental, sugar-coated depiction of old age. Fletcher gives us messy, hilarious, heartbreaking, and deeply human snapshots of the lives within an aged care facility. Each chapter spotlights a different resident, each with their quirks, regrets, and unfulfilled dreams. There’s Alexander Duckworth, who’s obsessed with people getting his name right (seriously, don’t mess it up). Shirley, whose stand-up comedy routine could rival any open-mic night. Frank and Douglas, navigate love when the world thinks they’re past their prime. And Elsie, who wants one last ride on a rollercoaster.
The book doesn’t follow a strict chronological order, instead jumping between past and present, making it feel like you’re flipping through a scrapbook of memories rather than reading a structured novel. This approach keeps things interesting—one moment you're laughing at a ludicrous lunchroom dispute, the next you're holding back tears at a character's final goodbye.
Fletcher’s writing is sharp, witty, and unflinchingly honest. He doesn’t romanticize old age, nor does he pity his characters. Instead, he presents them in all their raw, wonderful imperfection. The friendships are touching, the humour is biting, and the loneliness is palpable. There were moments when I had to pause to sit with the weight of a sentence. And then there were moments I laughed out loud because, well, boiled lollies are apparently the worst.
The real magic of Not Dead Yet is its ability to shift perspectives. We live in a world that treats the elderly as relics of the past instead of people with stories to tell. Fletcher smashes that narrative. These aren’t just “old people.” They’re rebels, dreamers, lovers, and mischief-makers. They are, quite simply, alive.
That being said, Not Dead Yet is a book I didn’t expect to love as much as I did. It’s a reminder that life doesn’t end when the hair turns grey. If you want a book that makes you laugh, cry, and think about calling your grandparents, this is the one for you. So, I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars. The book is professionally edited, as I did not notice any errors while reading.
Final verdict: A touching, darkly funny, and unflinching look at ageing that’ll leave you with a fresh appreciation for life’s final chapters.
******
Not Dead Yet
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Latest Review: Mastering The Art of Communication by Brent M. Jones
