Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye.
Pure Hollywood by Christine Schutt
Why I have it: Spotted on this ‘best of’ list.
Summary: Short stories about private worlds (the sample story was about an alcoholic widowed actress living in desert seclusion).
I’m thinking: No, didn’t grab me.
Ordinary People by Diana Evans
Why I have it: Because it has a playlist.
Summary: South London, 2008. Two couples find themselves at a moment of reckoning, initiated by a birth and a death.
I’m thinking: Yes – the opening party scene is spectacular.
The End by Bianca Nogrady
Why I have it: Spotted in Sue’s #6degrees chain.
Summary: Exploration of death from the perspective of those who have witnessed it, those who face it, and those who have somehow stepped back from it.
I’m thinking: Yes, relevant to my volunteer work in palliative care.
I haven’t read Ordinary People, but I remember Evans’ first novel, 26a, as a fascinating read. It was generally very highly praised.
Ordinary People’s on my list. I remember enjoying 26a too.
As a south Londoner who has spent most of my career in palliative care, two of these really appeal to me 🙂 I’ll definitely check them out.
The end sounds very interesting. If ye don’t mind me asking what work do ye do in palliative care?
x The Captain
I write biographies for people in palliative care (I interview them, transcribe the interviews and then organise it into a book). It’s just one of the many services the palliative care program in my area offers but I think it’s important because there is a lot of healing (emotional) to be done in talking and being listened to.
Oh I do hope you like The end Kate. I look forward to reading your comments if you do read it.