The Dead Wife's Handbook by Hannah Beckerman
Publisher: Penguin (13th Feb 2014)
Received a copy for review from the publisher.
Blurb:
'Today is my death anniversary. A year ago today I was still alive.'
Rachel, Max and their daughter Ellie had the perfect life - until the night Rachel's heart stopped beating.
Now
Max and Ellie are doing their best to adapt to life without Rachel, and
just as her family can't forget her, Rachel can't quite let go of them
either. Caught in a place between worlds, Rachel watches helplessly as
she begins to fade from their lives. And when Max is persuaded by family
and friends to start dating again, Rachel starts to understand that
dying was just the beginning of her problems.
As Rachel grieves
for the life she's lost and the life she'll never lead, she learns that
sometimes the thing that breaks your heart might be the very thing you
hope for.
I was so thrilled to be offered a review copy of Hannah Beckerman’s debut novel, The Dead Wife’s Handbook, which sounds like an amazing read, judging from the blurb. It’s a completely different side of women’s fiction I was excited to explore and it really did open my eyes to what the more emotional, darker side (not in a bad way!) of chick lit had to offer!
The Dead Wife’s Handbook follows the story of Rachel, who dies unexpectedly, leaving behind her beloved husband and the apple of her eye, Ellie, her daughter. As she watches from above, she witnesses her loved ones coping with grief, afraid of moving on, while she painfully undergoes the seven stages of grief. Well, because her death and sudden departure is just the beginning of her problems..
Before reading the entire book, I thought it would be about a deceased heroine, struggling with life after death. But I was so wrong. I was completely thrown when I realised that there’s so much more when it comes to Rachel’s side of her story. Her story doesn’t end after her death. No, Hannah Beckerman tells it through poignant, yet nostalgic vignettes that will allow us readers to glimpse into Rachel’s life as a wife, mother and friend, pre-arrhythmia, through a series of flashbacks and reminiscences.
Right from the start, I could really “connect” with Rachel. As a reader to character, if that makes any sense. There were parts in the novel, which were written so achingly painful, my heart went out to her, and some parts made me clench my fists, defensive and protective of Rachel’s feelings. All I’m saying is that the characters in the book are incredibly “real”, written with such precise touch.
The Dead Wife’s Handbook is filled with emotion, raw and real, which will no doubt be the tearjerker of the year, if you ask me. Hannah Beckerman, a supposed debut novelist has made her mark in women’s fiction with such a beautifully written novel which will no doubt tug your heartstrings. I adored this book so much because it’s such a treasure to read. Hannah Beckerman’s writing flows smoothly through the pages and if you read aloud, it’s even poetic (I might have read a few chapters.. aloud!), with elegant and lyrical prose.
All in all, The Dead Wife’s Handbook is truly remarkable and unforgettable. An emotional roller coaster which will linger in the little memory box in your head, provoking you to think of the “what ifs”. An exceptional debut novel, if you ask me. I think I’ve run out of superlatives to describe the book. My parting words: Go get it!
Rating: 10/10
Hannah Beckerman's Best Childhood Memory
The Dead Wife’s Handbook follows the story of Rachel, who dies unexpectedly, leaving behind her beloved husband and the apple of her eye, Ellie, her daughter. As she watches from above, she witnesses her loved ones coping with grief, afraid of moving on, while she painfully undergoes the seven stages of grief. Well, because her death and sudden departure is just the beginning of her problems..
Before reading the entire book, I thought it would be about a deceased heroine, struggling with life after death. But I was so wrong. I was completely thrown when I realised that there’s so much more when it comes to Rachel’s side of her story. Her story doesn’t end after her death. No, Hannah Beckerman tells it through poignant, yet nostalgic vignettes that will allow us readers to glimpse into Rachel’s life as a wife, mother and friend, pre-arrhythmia, through a series of flashbacks and reminiscences.
Right from the start, I could really “connect” with Rachel. As a reader to character, if that makes any sense. There were parts in the novel, which were written so achingly painful, my heart went out to her, and some parts made me clench my fists, defensive and protective of Rachel’s feelings. All I’m saying is that the characters in the book are incredibly “real”, written with such precise touch.
The Dead Wife’s Handbook is filled with emotion, raw and real, which will no doubt be the tearjerker of the year, if you ask me. Hannah Beckerman, a supposed debut novelist has made her mark in women’s fiction with such a beautifully written novel which will no doubt tug your heartstrings. I adored this book so much because it’s such a treasure to read. Hannah Beckerman’s writing flows smoothly through the pages and if you read aloud, it’s even poetic (I might have read a few chapters.. aloud!), with elegant and lyrical prose.
All in all, The Dead Wife’s Handbook is truly remarkable and unforgettable. An emotional roller coaster which will linger in the little memory box in your head, provoking you to think of the “what ifs”. An exceptional debut novel, if you ask me. I think I’ve run out of superlatives to describe the book. My parting words: Go get it!
Rating: 10/10
 |
| Jennifer Garner as Rachel and BRADLEY COOPER as Max |
Hannah Beckerman's Best Childhood Memory
How to pick one single childhood memory to commit to paper as your
best?! I couldn't, so I picked a collection instead (it's not really
cheating since they are all linked!) When I was a child, my maternal
grandparents would take my mum and I on day trips all over the country.
It was always just the four of us - my dad and brothers would stay at
home watching football or doing something else my mum and I weren't
particularly interested in. Those day-trips were the highlights of
weekends and school holidays. I remember going to the Cotswolds and
country houses and daytime concerts and museums. But mostly we'd go to
the seaside: to Brighton or Eastbourne, Hastings or Worthing, somewhere
within easy driving distance of where we lived in Hertfordshire. We'd
walk along the sea front and have a delicious lunch in a restaurant
(which felt so grown up) and eat 99s on the beach. I was spoilt rotten
on those days out and I don't think, as a child, you get much better
than spending the day being spoilt rotten by your three favourite people
in the world. So, you see, I couldn't possibly pick just one of those
days, could I?
My Best Childhood Memory
Well,
first of all, I reckon this is one of the hardest memories to choose
from. I mean, I'm still a child(ish). I'm 20. But if I have to choose
ONE favourite childhood memory, I guess it's my school holidays spent at
my grandparents' house. Since I went to a private school, my holidays
are different compared to those who go to public schools and my mum
teaches at a public school. So my grandmother became my best friend
throughout the entire holidays. We'd spend hours and hours doing
everything I loved: reading books, going to the market to buy sweets and
ice-cream and toys. I feel lucky to grow up in such a comfortable and
wonderful environment where I'm cared for by someone who loves me as
much as I do her. I distinctively remember a time when we sneaked out
from home and took the bus to McDonald's. I was 5 and it was so much
fun, I had an amazing time. I got to play on the playground, go on the
swing and eat loads of ice-cream! I'll definitely cherish the memories I
have with my grandmother.
WHO WANTS TO WIN A SIGNED COPY OF THE DEAD WIFE'S HANDBOOK?!
The lovely Hannah Beckerman is giving away a copy of her fantastic debut novel to one lucky winner! Here's the good news: it's open internationally. Giveaway ends on 7th March 2014 at midnight, UK time.
All you have to do is.. RT this tweet :)
WHO WANTS TO WIN A SIGNED COPY OF THE DEAD WIFE'S HANDBOOK?!
The lovely Hannah Beckerman is giving away a copy of her fantastic debut novel to one lucky winner! Here's the good news: it's open internationally. Giveaway ends on 7th March 2014 at midnight, UK time.
All you have to do is.. RT this tweet :)
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