Review of Dying Well

[Anaise Silvestri]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Dying Well" by Susan Ducharme Hoben.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Dying Well: Our Journey Of Love And Loss is a non-fictional work written by Susan Ducharme Hoben. It follows Susan’s experience with her dying husband. She had just received the wonderful news that her cancer was gone when it is discovered that her husband, Bruce, has been diagnosed with cancer and had just a few months to live.

The author made a few points in the preface of this book that touched me. It was about the number of things some people were going through, and I hadn’t even started reading the story itself. The title and blurb alone gave me a general idea of what the book would contain. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down.

I loved every page of Dying Well. I was glued to every word while reading the memoir. Susan’s experience is something many people can relate to. Even if you haven’t lost a loved one, you would find this novel very touching. This book reached my heart.

The description and narration were so vivid and amazing that at one point when Susan was nervous, I first thought she was having a heart attack. The characters were well-grounded and the relationship between each family member was realistic. I felt that Bruce was very brave. It was admiring how he made the best out of the little time he had left. The emotions of Susan and other characters were portrayed very well.

I couldn’t find anything to dislike about this novel. There were many bittersweet moments between Susan and Bruce. These moments brought me to tears, especially Bruce’s final hours. These two went through a lot and it was sad reading how Susan had to make many hard choices. This was a heart-wrenching story for me to follow, but I don’t regret reading it.

I give Dying Well a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. It was edited really well. I couldn’t find any grammatical errors, but there were a few instances where the author switched tenses in the book. That aside, Susan showcased a very beautiful story. She also emphasizes living our lives to the fullest. Life is short and we can lose it at any time without warning. It’s a sad reminder, but it’s reality.

I would recommend Dying Well to people who are coping with the loss of a loved one, whether it’s a friend or family. These are people that cannot be replaced. It can also be a wonderful book for those dealing with terminal illnesses and their families.

******
Dying Well
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes