Life Expectancy

by Alison Hughes

After her Opportunity Class stages a play about her grandmother’s famous novel, Abomination , Sophie St. John’s suspicions that her family is keeping something from her are confirmed. While doing her Legal Studies homework she discovers a case, a lawsuit launched by her parents when she was born that reveals that Sophie has a serious disease, a reduced life expectancy and that she might be very rich.Faced with the reality that she may not have much time left, Sophie ponders what it means to really live and bravely decides to face the future on her own terms. While Life Expectancy explores disability and dying, it is ultimately a story about love, meaning, and finding the courage to live fully in the face of uncertainty.

Genres: Young Adult, Disability

240 pages, Paperback

Published September 19, 2023

Reviews

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how to describe the way this book made me feel, I love Sophie and her journey was so well done. Hughes is an author I remember reading last year, and I loved this so much more than her previous book that I checked out; this had heart and soul. Her struggles combined with the underlying theme of there being so much death surrounding her hits in such an interesting way, and I loved her. This was really well done, and very heartfelt.

[Olivia S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this and found it kept me very engaged. I liked the storyline, and found the characters interesting. I see what other readers are saying about the change in pace between the first and second half of the story, and it does feel a bit like it was all leading up to this big reveal, and then doesn't spend all that much time dealing with the consequences of that reveal. I would have liked to see Sophie and her father's relationship develop more after the reveal, but I thought it also felt realistic in the small ways that they started relating more.

I do feel like the profound impact of Huntington's may have been a little down-played and romanticized, because we never saw either of the characters experience the significant symptoms that would develop. I also felt like the metaphor of the house was a little heavy-handed (the beautiful rooms that other people see and the broken-down moldy ones that are behind closed doors? This also seemed a little unrealistic to me, given that the family has a lot of money, why don't they have proper flooring or a kitchen table?).

My big problem comes with the epilogue. It has the common problems of tying things up neatly and being unnecessarily perfect. Sophie dropping out of high school to get married, have an unplanned baby (who she nonetheless apparently made no attempt to prevent getting pregnant with) and move out is all a bit iffy, but I get that the idea was that she is living her life and having the experiences she wants to have on a shortened timeline.

My big concern though is the way that the author seems to support folks with Huntington's unthinkingly having unprotected sex and babies despite the HUGE risk of them being born with this pretty awful terminal condition. It's one thing for her to explore the perspective of the main character as someone who finds out that she has the disease and has to come to terms with what this means for her life, her relationships, and the fact that her parents claimed they wanted to abort her. Absolutely this is a compelling case for disability rights, and it's an important discussion, etc. Able-bodied people don't get to say what makes life worthwhile.

However, I worry that it's problematic and maybe irresponsible even for an author who, as far as I can tell, has no personal connection to Huntington's, to speak for both those living with the disease and to advocate for choosing to take the risk of passing it on to unborn children. It's a shame, because I think prior to the epilogue this book was pretty good.

[Lorna Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has brilliant writing, a clever and brave plot, and memorable characters. Sophie's voice was realistic and honest, and there was no sugar coating her responses. Alison Hughes is a masterful writer and can evoke so much emotion in her prose, and her dialogue rings true with every word she puts on the page. This is a book that allows for so much discussion and should be in every high school library.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed and I cried. I wish I could run into these characters in a coffee shop somewhere. I love how achingly real each character feels and how the novel addresses the subtle nuances of its plot. This book is a paradox in the best of ways: sharp and tender, devastating and healing, quiet and bold. I adored it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful books I have read. Every character is painted vividly and with compassion, respect and humour. And you know it’s a great read when there’s a character you DEEPLY hate!

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC from Edelweiss

Meh. Too many plot holes, didn't like some aspects of it.

[Nikki Vogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to cry and think and feel. What a wonderfully victorious story.

[Edward Riley Rosales · Rating 3 out of 5]

the beginning was sooooo slow but it picked up after page 100. the final chapter was great but I thought the ending was very abrupt