The Good Death of Kate Montclair

by Daniel McInerny

Kate Montclair is dying. She has arrived at late middle age loveless, childless, and having failed to achieve the career dreams of her youth. Now diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, she sees the next fourteen months of suffering as an intolerable prospect. Kate is desperate—not only for a miracle cure, but for some sense that her life, and life itself, amounts to something more than a catastrophe.

When she sees an advertisement for the Washington, DC Death Symposium, Kate investigates and learns that the monthly discussion group is led by none other than the idealistic and inimitable Adele Schraeder, an old friend she has not seen since their teaching days in Rome. On Adele’s advice, Kate soon decides to break Virginia law with an assisted suicide. But Adele Schraeder is not the only person Kate reconnects with at the Death Symposium. Also present is Benedict Aquila, another friend from Rome, who has been living in DC while nursing his mother through her final illness.

And then there is the strange, mentally ill street woman sitting in the corner, drawing pad in hand. Who is she? She is the Ariadne’s thread that will lead Kate on a journey back through the years to her youth, forcing her to come to grips with the love affair she had with a married man and the catastrophe that took his life.

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 13, 2023

About the author

Daniel McInerny is the author of Christ-haunted, darkly comic fiction. His novel, THE GOOD DEATH OF KATE MONTCLAIR, will appear from Chrism Press in March 2023.

He is also the author of the comic thriller, HIGH CONCEPTS: A HOLLYWOOD NIGHTMARE, as well as the humorous Kingdom of Patria series for middle grade readers.

Subscribe to Daniel's Substack, "Daniel McInerny's Studio Stories," at danielmcinerny.substack.com.

And find out more about Daniel's work at danielmcinerny.studio.

Reviews

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few preliminary comments: firstly, it has been quite a long time since I sat down with a book and basically could not put it down until I finished the whole thing. This book was impossible to put down and I had all but forgotten how amazing it feels to find a book like that.

Secondly, I found myself completely lost in this novel. Kate Montclair became so real to me in the hours I was reading it that I found myself thinking about her, caring about her, even when I put it down. That, too, is quite rare.

This novel was a thrilling, goose-bump raising mix of a moving cancer memoir (though a very a-typical one), the classic story of a group of young friends, thirsty for life, and their struggle to find balance in a world without direction, and a mystery story (believe it or not - it surprised me, but it definitely fit). At times, I found myself feeling as though I were reading Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited or Flannery O'Connor's Wise Blood, two works that differ drastically in tone and yet somehow find an easy harmony in The Good Death of Kate Montclair. I can't recommend the book enough. It's one of those books as well that I wish I could write more about, but I think I need to chew on in my mind for a long while before I can put its full impact into words.

[Joanna Colclough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down! I have a hard time putting words to describe the experience of reading this because it is at once very concrete (a clear plot) but also abstract and spiritual. Just wow.
Comparisons to Brideshead Revisited are accurate, maybe more for the way it ends, but I feel that didn’t make this book anything less.
This book made me feel in awe of how human lives intersect, and of the human condition. I wanted a book about death and I got one. An absolutely memorable read, but a book I wouldn’t recommend to just anyone.

[Rebecca Embry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The phrase ‘a twitch upon the thread’ written so famously in Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited comes to my mind when I think of Kate Montclair’s tragic but blessed and beautiful life. The flashbacks throughout the novel interspersed with symbolisms of great faith
and the echoing of “the world offers you comfort, but you were made for greatness”, reflects through the narration.
Dr. Daniel McInerny has crafted a brilliant yet modern day story of redemption that will leave you thinking for days.
This was one of my favourite novels!

[Matthew Devine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is masterfully done. Kate's fictional autobiography begins with a reluctant editor whose role is nearly as important as the book's subject. Back and forth we go between the cast in their youth and the cast at present. Obviously it touches on death, cancer specifically, and could be triggering to some people whose families are struggling here. Still, I would recommend this book to anyone, since death comes for us all.

Great story, five stars.

I don't know how to put this... the ending is so touching; I can't write a review without a threatening ugly cry on my keyboard. I've recommended to all my friends, whilst crying apologetically, and have been doing so for three days now.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up for its depth. Refraining from going long, suffice it to say this WAS a book I could put down. Wondering now how many elder or Catholics reflect these reviews on Goodreads? It is very elite and mostly arrogant folk who have taken huge bites out of the Garden's Tree of Knowledge you will read of here.

This whole will resound in connection most to those whose actions and/or life beliefs reflect The Ten Suggestions as their cognitive versions of the Ten Commandments.

Adele in another age would have been buried with a shackled limb and knives crossed against her throat similar to a woman of several thousand years ago recently disinterred in Europe.

[Meghan Suchomski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be unpacking this brilliant work for a long time, but for now I’ll just say that I think it is the best 21st century novel I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. Highly recommend!

[Maria Gerring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Waugh’s 'Brideshead Revisited' in its poignant capturing of the restless human heart longing for God. A delightful read!

[Kate Eschbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Well written, great pace, and incredibly thoughtful.

[Donald A. Rabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Riveting story, wild ride, wasn’t sure how it going to end but what a perfect landing! We should think more about our death by living life to its fullest.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been interested in this book since it was published and for one reason or another kept putting off getting a copy. I am so glad I finally decided it was time to read this book and oh what a story!

Friends, this book does deal with suicide, especially related to terminal illness. While that may make it a hard read, I encourage you to read it, if you can. It is powerful and thought-provoking and one I still think about frequently. I had compassion for Kate and was able to examine my own opinions and beliefs as related to my Catholic faith. A powerful experience indeed.

There is one amazing cast of characters in this story and the slow unraveling of the past to finally meet up with the present is so well done. I truly enjoyed getting to know these characters.

Following Kate’s story before and after her diagnosis had me thinking about how I would have handled such hard news myself.

The secrets in this book. Oh my goodness, as the truth was revealed I was surprised and went through a whole slew of emotions depending on what happened.

I highly recommend this book, even with the difficult subject matter. The characters and storylines are unforgettable and the messages within the story are timeless.

#thegooddeathofkatemontclair #danielmcinerny #chrismpress #catholicfaith #catholicchurch #greenscapular #terminalillness #death #thoughtprovoking

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done, Dr. McInerny! I had three key take-aways: (1) Christ allows us to weave grace in unexpected and unconscious ways into others' lives as we all help craft the great tapestry of life. (2) Kate's questions become our own as we ponder the purpose of our life and the life to come. (3) A good death happens within the heart and mind of the person: a story only God knows fully.

[Joan Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For a man who tries to run away from his commission, Benedict proves himself a worthy apprentice.” Read my full review in volume 18, issue 4 of Dappled Things (Mary Queen of Angels, 2023)

[Stephen Pilon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining read. I loved the style of writing, keeping me guessing about little details as I read. Very satisfying story.