DEATHDAY

by Colin Philpott

England in 2045, a country where euthanasia is not just legal but compulsory. Severe economic depression in the wake of the Great Pandemic and Brexit, a collapse in the care system and inter-generational conflict had changed attitudes to death and old age. Ten years earlier, a right-wing Government supported by the shadowy League of Youth had won a majority in Parliament for the mandatory termination of life at the age of ninety.

A decade later, people who still accept the law plan for ‘Deathday Parties’, ‘Evaders’ try to escape abroad, and ‘Remainders’, people already over ninety and who were spared at the time the law came in, live in colonies in rundown seaside resorts. Meanwhile, the young King plots with politicians opposed to the laws which are enforced by the sinister National Age Regulation Authority.

Will the law be changed? Will the League of Youth still hold sway over the politicians? Who will live and who will die? But the overriding questions remain. Quality of life versus length of life. The right to die versus the sanctity of life. And the rights of the young versus the rights of the old.

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2023

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the onset the concept of compulsory euthanasia and the political background it was set in was very real. Having a nursing background I was interested in the debate related to the pros and cons of euthansia at 90. Over the years I have had many conversations with patients of all ages who had chronic life limiting conditions or were in long term care regarding their views on voluntary euthansia therefore found this book a very interesting read. Once I started to read I was hooked. Excellent read - but agree with a previous comment, about how individual readers will view it may depend on their personal age.

[Kneale Kimber]

The concept of this book is well thought out and interesting although a little scary if you are 89!! It is certainly thought provoking but hope it never comes to reality!! Nevertheless I enjoyed it. The only comment I have is that it totally concentrates on the lives and circumstances of Mary and Wilfred.
Most novels I have read have sub-plots akin to the gravedigger’s scene in Hamlet that don’t really relate to the main theme of the story. I did not notice any in Deathday.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting concept and spookily believable. Compulsory euthanasia at 90…… in a fast moving plot the author shows the pros and cons …… it seems like a good idea until it’s personal……. I romped through this very quickly - it’s an easy read with (mostly!) likeable characters and one character you love to hate …..

[Diane Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, thought provoking novel set in 2045, exploring life and politics centring around euthanasia (voluntary and compulsory!). Beautifully written with super characterisation, detailing the adventures of three special citizens in particular, with significant tension building up throughout the novel. Highly recommended.

[Sue Mundy-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thought provoking book that had me talking to friends about the content and how this could so easily become real. The read was easy to get into and then I could not put it down. I would really enjoy a sequel with other factors thrown in that came to me as I read Deathday. e.g. compulsory living wills etc... Altogether a very good book on a subject that a lot of us wrestle with.

[Andrew Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dystopia where an impoverished future Britain has brought in compulsory euthanasia for 90 year olds for the benefit of the young. I found the idea of conflict between generations the most intriguing part of the book, and can see how this can be extrapolated from where we are now. Now we need a prequel setting out the next 20 years of our history.

[Carolew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot was put in the context of events of recent years and as such it was very thought provoking. The reasons for the conflict of interests between generations struck a chord, as did the description of a society that was broken in many respects. The characters are well developed, as are the different pressure groups, and I think the storyline lends itself to a sequel.

[John F · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing and, unhappily, all too plausible scenario, following recent events, which could be a good plot for a TV thriller. I enjoyed the way that both 'Evaders' and 'Remainders' were forced to face up to the practical and ethical dilemmas of their situation. Perhaps the behaviour of the political class was less convincing, but it shows how dangerous sloppy legislation can be.

[Paul Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful,tense and well constructed book which raises many contemporary questions and deals with them in a fast paced and highly intelligent narrative.
I enjoyed it enormously-and have passed it to my wife who is finding it as difficult to put down as I did.

[Lizzie Darbyshire]

This is a thought provoking, well-written book, exploring some scarily possible concepts. ‘Enjoyable’ is not quite the right word to describe it but it was a good read – for those under 80!

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reads like science fiction, a world of the future, but scarily it’s all too possible and is even already happening to a certain extent. Terrifying stuff

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deathday was bought for me by my daughter, who saw it in a bookshop with a local author sticker on it. I’m glad she did so, as Deathday is an excellent piece of satire/ social commentary.

The book is set in England in 2045, where euthanasia is mandatory at the age of 90, and follows three main plotlines: Holly, a supporter of the law whose dementia-suffering grandmother is rapidly approaching 90; Wilf whose son wants to help him escape to Scotland; and the Prime Minister who comes under increasing political pressure to reconsider laws that he had championed.

The storylines and characters in the book are knotty, complicated and far from being two-dimensional, that help to set the book’s chain of events into motion. This is against a backdrop of the political satire that populates the book - Philpott has clearly had a lot of fun with some of it, and the Prime Minister is especially well drawn despite a slightly silly shadowy organisation in the background.

Also a bit off key is the character of Holly’s father, which destroys some of the emotional heft of the final third, and the exposition in the opening chapters could have been trimmed down slightly.

This is still well worth reading though – a smart satire with plenty of emotional depth.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

First half is very thought provoking and alarming but reflects lots of current societal issues
Second half cleverly ties threads together and was page turner
Enjoyed it despite the topic and also the northern feel was great .
Would make good screenplay for theatre or film and also thought provoking for book clubs etc

[Trevor Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable but slightly disturbing read. The characters forced you to look at the problem of euthanasia from differing viewpoints.
It made the problem of dealing with an increasingly elderly population all too real.