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This Is the Life
About two estranged brothers who come together when one of them discovers he has a brain tumor and the other emerges as his caretaker.
This is the life: Not the one you thought you had yesterday. Or the one that might not be here tomorrow. Just this one. Here and now…
This is the story of Louis, who never quite fit in, and of his younger brother, who always tried to tag along. As they got older, they grew apart. And as they got older still, one of them got cancer, and the other became his caretaker. Then they became close again, two brothers on one final journey together, wading through the stuff that’s thicker than water.
Told in anecdotes as his brother remembers them, we discover who this cranky, cancerous Louis once was. That before his brain surgery he had a mind that was said to be bigger than the rest of the family’s put together, and that his heart was—and still is—just as big. That it’s hard getting a haircut with a brain tumor, and that it does no good to help your brother memorize a PIN number when he might not be able to remember where the bank is. We learn along with these two brothers how the little stuff is as big as the big stuff, how tragedy and comedy go together, and how necessary it is that they do.
Inspired by Shearer's experiences when his own brother was dying and written with a warm touch that is at once tender and achingly funny, This Is the Life is a moving testimony to both the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of the simpler things in life, like not taking a dying man’s tea kettle away.
This is the life: Not the one you thought you had yesterday. Or the one that might not be here tomorrow. Just this one. Here and now…
This is the story of Louis, who never quite fit in, and of his younger brother, who always tried to tag along. As they got older, they grew apart. And as they got older still, one of them got cancer, and the other became his caretaker. Then they became close again, two brothers on one final journey together, wading through the stuff that’s thicker than water.
Told in anecdotes as his brother remembers them, we discover who this cranky, cancerous Louis once was. That before his brain surgery he had a mind that was said to be bigger than the rest of the family’s put together, and that his heart was—and still is—just as big. That it’s hard getting a haircut with a brain tumor, and that it does no good to help your brother memorize a PIN number when he might not be able to remember where the bank is. We learn along with these two brothers how the little stuff is as big as the big stuff, how tragedy and comedy go together, and how necessary it is that they do.
Inspired by Shearer's experiences when his own brother was dying and written with a warm touch that is at once tender and achingly funny, This Is the Life is a moving testimony to both the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of the simpler things in life, like not taking a dying man’s tea kettle away.
229 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2014
19 people are currently reading
1609 people want to read
About the author
Alex Shearer
83 books87 followersAlex Shearer started his writing career as a scriptwriter and has had great success in that field. His credits include The Two of Us, the 1990s sitcom starring Nicholas Lyndhurst. More recently he has started writing for children. His Wilmot stories have been adapted for TV by Yorkshire television, and his children's novel, The Greatest Store in the World, was screened as a feature length TV film on Christmas Eve 1999 by the BBC. Alex's recent novel 'The Speed of the Dark' was shortlisted for the 2002 Guardian Fiction Prize
Alex Shearer lives with his family in Somerset. He has written more than a dozen books for both adults and children, as well as many successful television series, films, and stage and radio plays. He has had over thirty different jobs, and has never given up trying to play the guitar.
Alex Shearer lives with his family in Somerset. He has written more than a dozen books for both adults and children, as well as many successful television series, films, and stage and radio plays. He has had over thirty different jobs, and has never given up trying to play the guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
October 25, 2015
I guess I can see why people might not like this book. I've definitely read better stories about people dying. What I'm not sure of is whether I've ever had so many little lines of a book jump out and grab me the way they did with this.
April 15, 2018
For book reviews and more, visit my blog, The Book Stop
Laid-back, is the easiest way to describe This Is The Life by Alex Shearer, and possibly the most accurate. It's atmosphere, particularly flavourless, is one that sits imperturbably, allowing it to be an effortless read. That said, effortless doesn't always play for the team of preference, especially when its paired with a plot not unlike the one told in This Is The Life. Shearer has written his novel in an almost nonchalant way; confident in its narrative, but with a relaxed style indeed. Generally, all these characteristics contribute to some of the best books out there, but for some reason or other This Is The Life simply did not "click".
I love that feeling you get when you finish a reading a book; that joyous feeling of achievement; you've turned the last page. That feeling doesn't just come from books you adore, it's a reward that comes from even the ones you wholly dislike as well. It's the idea of actually reading the last line of a novel and feeling a sense of satisfaction from doing so. Surprisingly, finishing This Is The Life dis not give me that feeling. I wouldn't even class reading This Is The Life as an 'experience'. I say this because it's not a 'bad' book, rather than a book that lacked connection. There is no need to sugar-coat it, so I'm going to go right ahead and just say: the book is mediocre.
This Is The Life tells the story of Louis, who is battling cancer, through the eyes of his younger brother. It is more of an exploration of the relationship between these two characters; as they drift apart, and as this fatal brain tumour brings them together. It is a bitter-sweet tale, but doesn't quite hit the mark.
Particular moments in the book are, let's say, irritating. Particularly the forceful conclusions blatantly delivered throughout. Opinions and the such should be left to the reader, I genuinely believe. I encourage subtle hints and playful phrases, but ultimately it's up to the reader to discover their beliefs within what's presented.
It's these little moments that bring This Is The Life down, as well as the overall blandness of it. The flat style of writing; considerably repetitive with little contribution to the atmosphere. A story that isn't really a 'story' at all, rather than an observation. And characters that seem to all have been baked with the same ingredients.
Overall, it will be hard for This Is The Life to have the certain affect on people that, I think, was hoped for. In my opinion, the book is unsure of what it ultimately wants to be. The floppy attempts at humour on one side, the end-of-the-world attempt at emotion at the other end of this noticeably short spectrum. In the end, This Is The Life is an admirable look on a difficult theme, but with an undeniably dull deliverance.
Laid-back, is the easiest way to describe This Is The Life by Alex Shearer, and possibly the most accurate. It's atmosphere, particularly flavourless, is one that sits imperturbably, allowing it to be an effortless read. That said, effortless doesn't always play for the team of preference, especially when its paired with a plot not unlike the one told in This Is The Life. Shearer has written his novel in an almost nonchalant way; confident in its narrative, but with a relaxed style indeed. Generally, all these characteristics contribute to some of the best books out there, but for some reason or other This Is The Life simply did not "click".
I love that feeling you get when you finish a reading a book; that joyous feeling of achievement; you've turned the last page. That feeling doesn't just come from books you adore, it's a reward that comes from even the ones you wholly dislike as well. It's the idea of actually reading the last line of a novel and feeling a sense of satisfaction from doing so. Surprisingly, finishing This Is The Life dis not give me that feeling. I wouldn't even class reading This Is The Life as an 'experience'. I say this because it's not a 'bad' book, rather than a book that lacked connection. There is no need to sugar-coat it, so I'm going to go right ahead and just say: the book is mediocre.
This Is The Life tells the story of Louis, who is battling cancer, through the eyes of his younger brother. It is more of an exploration of the relationship between these two characters; as they drift apart, and as this fatal brain tumour brings them together. It is a bitter-sweet tale, but doesn't quite hit the mark.
Particular moments in the book are, let's say, irritating. Particularly the forceful conclusions blatantly delivered throughout. Opinions and the such should be left to the reader, I genuinely believe. I encourage subtle hints and playful phrases, but ultimately it's up to the reader to discover their beliefs within what's presented.
It's these little moments that bring This Is The Life down, as well as the overall blandness of it. The flat style of writing; considerably repetitive with little contribution to the atmosphere. A story that isn't really a 'story' at all, rather than an observation. And characters that seem to all have been baked with the same ingredients.
Overall, it will be hard for This Is The Life to have the certain affect on people that, I think, was hoped for. In my opinion, the book is unsure of what it ultimately wants to be. The floppy attempts at humour on one side, the end-of-the-world attempt at emotion at the other end of this noticeably short spectrum. In the end, This Is The Life is an admirable look on a difficult theme, but with an undeniably dull deliverance.
June 23, 2016
This book nailed it. Each chapter is a vignette the narrator tells about his brother, Louis, who is dying of a brain tumor. It doesn't have a page-turning plot, but is full of nuggets of truth without being sappy or sentimental. Thoughts on life, death, love, family, religion, depression, memory, identity, the past, work, sex, anxiety, kids, money, and relationships are funny, honest, and spot-on.
This book may not appeal to everyone, but it really spoke to me. The author touches on just about everything I've ever pondered, questioned, or thought about life, but articulates far better than I ever could.
Life, man. What a doozy. Or as Louis would say, "We're all screwed."
This book may not appeal to everyone, but it really spoke to me. The author touches on just about everything I've ever pondered, questioned, or thought about life, but articulates far better than I ever could.
Life, man. What a doozy. Or as Louis would say, "We're all screwed."
August 18, 2020
"Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow, maybe one of these days soon, when the world is quiet again, you might understand what it is you need to understand. But really, you know you never will. And you'll be baffled until the day you die. And even then you might never find out. You're like an ant crawling over a manuscript. You aren't even aware the words are there, let alone able to read them."
This is the Life is an ode to a dead brother, and based a real one, as detailed in the epilogue.
Louis, the brother, is not an easy man to live with and never was, not from childhood; a man gifted with many talents but lacking the most important one,how to cope with life. His less talented but more capable brother, who has always had to pick up the pieces left in Louis wake, flies to Australia to care for Louis, who is dying from a brain tumour and finds a man living in a self-created chaos of bad choices and ruined relationships, filth, vermin and non-functioning white goods. In the midst of the mess he has made of his life, Louis remains exasperating, maddening, still loveable.
It's a heartbreaking tale. It's not an easy read, but it is beautifully written. The dirty, dreary everyday misery is interspersed with quiet musings on the pointlessness of life and death and dying. Expect to be depressed, but also enchanted.
"Louis, my brother, always went places first, being older. And then, after a time, I would follow. I expect he'll still be wearing the beanie hat. He'll probably say, 'What kept you?' One of us will know what to do.
This is the Life is an ode to a dead brother, and based a real one, as detailed in the epilogue.
Louis, the brother, is not an easy man to live with and never was, not from childhood; a man gifted with many talents but lacking the most important one,how to cope with life. His less talented but more capable brother, who has always had to pick up the pieces left in Louis wake, flies to Australia to care for Louis, who is dying from a brain tumour and finds a man living in a self-created chaos of bad choices and ruined relationships, filth, vermin and non-functioning white goods. In the midst of the mess he has made of his life, Louis remains exasperating, maddening, still loveable.
It's a heartbreaking tale. It's not an easy read, but it is beautifully written. The dirty, dreary everyday misery is interspersed with quiet musings on the pointlessness of life and death and dying. Expect to be depressed, but also enchanted.
"Louis, my brother, always went places first, being older. And then, after a time, I would follow. I expect he'll still be wearing the beanie hat. He'll probably say, 'What kept you?' One of us will know what to do.
March 14, 2014
First thing I should mention:
I won an ARC copy of "This Is The Life" via the Goodreads First Reads giveaway thingimajig, in exchange for a review.
Second thing I should mention:
I didn't actually finish this book. I only managed to get up to page 162 before I simply had to give up on it, because I realised that I just did not want to read any more of it.
I wanted to like this book, I truly did.
I've had previous (and positive) experience with Alex Shearer's books, via "Bootleg" and "The Speed of the Dark" (though I do much prefer "Bootleg", while we're mentioning it); the story of "This Is The Life" sounded like it had great dramatic potential; and the fact that it's a semi-autobiographical ode to Shearer's true life experiences with his own brother...
...well, I just expected more from it.
As a character study of the cancer-stricken Louis, it's a moderate success. He's a complex, multi-faceted, idealistic, fascinating character, and you often sympathise with him as much as you kind of hate him.
But as for Louis' brother (who is also our narrator)? We don't even learn his name!
Granted, this is arguably fitting for the character detail that he always had to live in the shadow of his brother, and that oftentimes he was even mistaken for his brother, which would create a certain amount of disassociation from his own identity...
...except this book isn't as deep or as clever as that.
And oh boy, it certainly likes to think it's clever.
From the outside in - from what it says on the book's cover, to what it says on the actual pages inside of it - "This Is The Life" has massively grand ambitions for itself, and oversells itself ridiculously. Sure, the fact that it even tried to be as ambitious as it so desperately wanted to be is a laudable thing. It's a noble failure, but in the end it is still a failure.
The writing is pretty bad. Sometimes it's passable and solidly written enough, and then you come across a weird turn of phrase, or a badly worded sentence, or a terribly told joke, and then all of these little niggling faults very quickly start to pile up on top of one another, and it becomes unbearable.
This includes the dialogue, as well. Nobody - and I mean NOBODY - in this book talks the way that an actual person would talk in real life. For one thing, the unnamed brother/narrator constantly says his brother's name whenever he talks to him. Pretty much every single sentence he says to Louis begins with "Louis..." and then a question, or a question, ended with a "Louis?"
I was hoping that there was some kind of narrative reason for him to keep saying his brother's name like that all the time - (and who knows? maybe there was a reason given in the pages I didn't read...but I doubt it) - but nope. That's just how he talks. And it is incredibly frustrating.
And that goes for the whole book, in the end.
It is awkwardly written. It is nowhere near as "achingly funny" as it says it's supposed to be. Its female characters are few and far between, not to mention badly written and general written with an air of sexism surrounding the proceedings. (I refer you to the cringe-worthy "babies" scene. Dear god.) Every chapter ends with some faux profound musing about life and death, and there are innumerable infuriatingly contrived metaphors worked in which do not work at all. (Basically, every chapter ends up sounding like the closing narration of an episode of "Grey's Anatomy"...and it gets old very, very fast.) And considering that it's supposed to be an ode to a lost brother, and that it's supposed to be life-affirming and uplifting and immersive and whatever else, I just found it to be oddly dispassionate, derivative, ill-structured and surprisingly boring.
There is a good book - nay, even a great one - hiding in this story somewhere, I know there is. Sprinkled throughout, there are hints here and there of the book this could have been, had it not so many problems. And honestly, I would be very interested in seeing a film or TV adaptation of "This Is The Life", where perhaps someone could iron out the faults and turn this into the best version of the story that it could possibly be.
But until then, I'm sorry to come to the conclusion that I could not finish this book, and that I did not really like this book.
Not because it was blatantly bad...but because it just wasn't good enough.
I won an ARC copy of "This Is The Life" via the Goodreads First Reads giveaway thingimajig, in exchange for a review.
Second thing I should mention:
I didn't actually finish this book. I only managed to get up to page 162 before I simply had to give up on it, because I realised that I just did not want to read any more of it.
I wanted to like this book, I truly did.
I've had previous (and positive) experience with Alex Shearer's books, via "Bootleg" and "The Speed of the Dark" (though I do much prefer "Bootleg", while we're mentioning it); the story of "This Is The Life" sounded like it had great dramatic potential; and the fact that it's a semi-autobiographical ode to Shearer's true life experiences with his own brother...
...well, I just expected more from it.
As a character study of the cancer-stricken Louis, it's a moderate success. He's a complex, multi-faceted, idealistic, fascinating character, and you often sympathise with him as much as you kind of hate him.
But as for Louis' brother (who is also our narrator)? We don't even learn his name!
Granted, this is arguably fitting for the character detail that he always had to live in the shadow of his brother, and that oftentimes he was even mistaken for his brother, which would create a certain amount of disassociation from his own identity...
...except this book isn't as deep or as clever as that.
And oh boy, it certainly likes to think it's clever.
From the outside in - from what it says on the book's cover, to what it says on the actual pages inside of it - "This Is The Life" has massively grand ambitions for itself, and oversells itself ridiculously. Sure, the fact that it even tried to be as ambitious as it so desperately wanted to be is a laudable thing. It's a noble failure, but in the end it is still a failure.
The writing is pretty bad. Sometimes it's passable and solidly written enough, and then you come across a weird turn of phrase, or a badly worded sentence, or a terribly told joke, and then all of these little niggling faults very quickly start to pile up on top of one another, and it becomes unbearable.
This includes the dialogue, as well. Nobody - and I mean NOBODY - in this book talks the way that an actual person would talk in real life. For one thing, the unnamed brother/narrator constantly says his brother's name whenever he talks to him. Pretty much every single sentence he says to Louis begins with "Louis..." and then a question, or a question, ended with a "Louis?"
I was hoping that there was some kind of narrative reason for him to keep saying his brother's name like that all the time - (and who knows? maybe there was a reason given in the pages I didn't read...but I doubt it) - but nope. That's just how he talks. And it is incredibly frustrating.
And that goes for the whole book, in the end.
It is awkwardly written. It is nowhere near as "achingly funny" as it says it's supposed to be. Its female characters are few and far between, not to mention badly written and general written with an air of sexism surrounding the proceedings. (I refer you to the cringe-worthy "babies" scene. Dear god.) Every chapter ends with some faux profound musing about life and death, and there are innumerable infuriatingly contrived metaphors worked in which do not work at all. (Basically, every chapter ends up sounding like the closing narration of an episode of "Grey's Anatomy"...and it gets old very, very fast.) And considering that it's supposed to be an ode to a lost brother, and that it's supposed to be life-affirming and uplifting and immersive and whatever else, I just found it to be oddly dispassionate, derivative, ill-structured and surprisingly boring.
There is a good book - nay, even a great one - hiding in this story somewhere, I know there is. Sprinkled throughout, there are hints here and there of the book this could have been, had it not so many problems. And honestly, I would be very interested in seeing a film or TV adaptation of "This Is The Life", where perhaps someone could iron out the faults and turn this into the best version of the story that it could possibly be.
But until then, I'm sorry to come to the conclusion that I could not finish this book, and that I did not really like this book.
Not because it was blatantly bad...but because it just wasn't good enough.
March 11, 2014
Got this book from a goodread winner.its a heart felt book about two brothers and one is dying good book good writer.
January 9, 2015
Procured via: NetGalley
Book Title and Author: This is the Life by Alex Shearer
RELEASE DATE: February 03, 2015
RATING: 2 Stars Maybe, if you can check it out at the library for free
GENRE: Literature / Fiction
SERIES: Standalone
SUMMARY: Blurb from Netgalley:
“In the spirit of #1 New York Times bestseller The Fault in Our Stars, a “lovely, touching book” (Alexander McCall Smith) about two estranged brothers who come together when one of them discovers he has a brain tumor and the other emerges as his caretaker.
This is the life: Not the one you thought you had yesterday. Or the one that might not be here tomorrow. Just this one. Here and now…
This is the story of Louis, who never quite fit in, and of his younger brother, who always tried to tag along. As they got older, they grew apart. And as they got older still, one of them got cancer, and the other became his caretaker. Then they became close again, two brothers on one final journey together, wading through the stuff that’s thicker than water.
Told in anecdotes as his brother remembers them, we discover who this cranky, cancerous Louis once was. That before his brain surgery he had a mind that was said to be bigger than the rest of the family’s put together, and that his heart was—and still is—just as big. That it’s hard getting a haircut with a brain tumor, and that it does no good to help your brother memorize a PIN number when he might not be able to remember where the bank is. We learn along with these two brothers how the little stuff is as big as the big stuff, how tragedy and comedy go together, and how necessary it is that they do.
Inspired by Shearer’s experiences when his own brother was dying and written with a warm touch that is at once tender and achingly funny, This Is the Life is a moving testimony to both the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of the simpler things in life, like not taking a dying man’s tea kettle away.”
REVIEW: This was not so much “The Fault in our Stars” as it was just simply and plainly sad. It outlined the tale of two brothers who survived a deprived upbringing to have elder brother, Louis reach great heights academically but perhaps not so much socially. The younger brother, the caregiver of Louis once he becomes cancer-ridden, not so academically adept but much more world-savvy. Some of the stories were funny, some were quite melancholy, but all of them seemed honest. I enjoyed parts of the book, but wasn’t overwhelmed by the writing style.
*Tremendous thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
March 10, 2014
"Louis, my brother, always went places first, being older. And then, after a time, I would follow"
These are the cathartic reminiscences of Louis' brother told in a rambling, chatty way like the stranger in the pub that gets into conversation with you and somehow you realise he has been talking for hours. Alex Shearer shares his inmost secrets about his beloved older brother who has died, catastrophically, from a tumour he does not understand, like the kettle without a handle, like the rotten fruit thrown out like the desire he feels like the unshaven junkcar lifestyle Louis' brother follows.
The book is both engaging and distressing at the same time; it feels an easy read until you realise just what it is you are reading about ~ the last stage of the life of a terminally ill man whose brushes with an autistic lifestyle are very close as witnessed by his adoring younger brother.
Shearer ignores any kind of linear narrative and wanders in and out of the present, a kind of future and especially the past where he has always had to deal with the brother that he longs to follow wherever.
Although ostensibly about Louis the story is as much about Louis' brother ~ he has no other name ~ and how he reflects the idiosyncratic lifestyle of this adored sibling. This is a story that will linger long after the last page is turned.
February 7, 2015
My View:
This is the life: “Not the one you had yesterday. Or the one that might not be here tomorrow. Just this one. Here and now.”
Never a more relevant word was spoken - this is the life we have, right now, not tomorrow, or yesterday or…someday. Life is right now and we should be doing our best to live our life fully and be the best we can be. Don’t wait for a life sentence to wake up and see what is happening around you, participate…now.
This is a very quirky book written with great insight (some ideas I didn't really appreciate until after I had finished the book and had time to let the observations settle and permeate my brain) others I silently nodded my head in a agreement as I read, or read out loud to my partner so he too could appreciate the nuances of this narrative. This book resonated with me, I discovered people I knew in this narrative, people who had the same quirks, the same opinions, the same diagnosis – life and for death surround us – but some chose to start dying prematurely, before the sentence has been revealed (and I want to shake them and say “wake up, don’t just exist… you are worth it, eat strawberries if you want to”).
Quirky. At times hilarious. Always poignant. Reflective. Inspiring.
This is the life: “Not the one you had yesterday. Or the one that might not be here tomorrow. Just this one. Here and now.”
Never a more relevant word was spoken - this is the life we have, right now, not tomorrow, or yesterday or…someday. Life is right now and we should be doing our best to live our life fully and be the best we can be. Don’t wait for a life sentence to wake up and see what is happening around you, participate…now.
This is a very quirky book written with great insight (some ideas I didn't really appreciate until after I had finished the book and had time to let the observations settle and permeate my brain) others I silently nodded my head in a agreement as I read, or read out loud to my partner so he too could appreciate the nuances of this narrative. This book resonated with me, I discovered people I knew in this narrative, people who had the same quirks, the same opinions, the same diagnosis – life and for death surround us – but some chose to start dying prematurely, before the sentence has been revealed (and I want to shake them and say “wake up, don’t just exist… you are worth it, eat strawberries if you want to”).
Quirky. At times hilarious. Always poignant. Reflective. Inspiring.
June 10, 2014
Giving this novel a rating of 3 was my initial thought but on reflection I decided that this book deserved a higher rating than I originally perceived. Why - Because I was very moved by this novel. It is an easy read but it deals so well with the brothers' relationship which is re-established as a result of Louis's diagnosis of an untreatable brain tumour. The family secrets, flashbacks about growing up together - not always easy to read and the brothers special bond even though they have lived such separate lives, was very moving. Some have reviewed this book negatively in particular to its seemingly flippant style but to me this provided the author with a vehicle to de-dramatize and lessen the very difficult subject matter central to this story. To me it was an honest portrayal - sad and comical at the same time but always engaging and moving. The Origins chapter at the back of the book was a valuable inclusion - learning that the author had based his novel on his own very personal experiences of losing of his brother gave the novel further authenticity.
October 27, 2018
3.5
Not much of a story but a book that makes you think.
Not much of a story but a book that makes you think.
December 22, 2021
A beautiful, heartbreaking & bittersweet book. Made me see life from a whole different perspective.
February 7, 2015
Parts of This Is the Life by Alex Shearer were interesting and poignant, but it felt forced and awkward at times, so overall, it wasn’t a hit for me.
Louis never really fit it anywhere, drifting around to different countries, different jobs, different people. That is until he got sick. Now Louis and his brother have one last journey to take together, but it won’t always be a good one.
There are two sides to how I felt about This Is the Life. On the one hand, it was a wonderful, deep, sad story about a man dealing with a brain tumor and his brother attempting to keep it together while remembering their lives. There’s grief, sorrow, happiness, confusion, and pain. On the other hand, it is an awkwardly written story with weird dialogue and strange characters.
Let’s start with the dialogue. Nothing any of the characters said felt like real conversations. It was robotic almost, and none of it sounded like a real conversation between friends or siblings. Some of the descriptions were real and well-written but then I’d come across a badly worded sentence and it would jolt me out of the story.
The whole book is full of observations by the unnamed brother of Louis, who is remembering their childhood, the years they spent apart during which they only heard from each other over the phone, and their life together since Louis got sick. Then, at the end of each and every chapter, our narrator, the brother, ends with a forced conclusion, a reflection on what he’s discussed and realized about himself or life or whatever. These forced profound musings on life and death felt ridiculous, like he was reading too much into his experiences.
For me, This Is the Life was too bland. Even though Louis’ story was interesting and sad and profound, it was overshadowed by the awkwardly written dialogue and characters. I enjoyed parts of the book, but it wasn’t really for me.
Louis never really fit it anywhere, drifting around to different countries, different jobs, different people. That is until he got sick. Now Louis and his brother have one last journey to take together, but it won’t always be a good one.
There are two sides to how I felt about This Is the Life. On the one hand, it was a wonderful, deep, sad story about a man dealing with a brain tumor and his brother attempting to keep it together while remembering their lives. There’s grief, sorrow, happiness, confusion, and pain. On the other hand, it is an awkwardly written story with weird dialogue and strange characters.
Let’s start with the dialogue. Nothing any of the characters said felt like real conversations. It was robotic almost, and none of it sounded like a real conversation between friends or siblings. Some of the descriptions were real and well-written but then I’d come across a badly worded sentence and it would jolt me out of the story.
The whole book is full of observations by the unnamed brother of Louis, who is remembering their childhood, the years they spent apart during which they only heard from each other over the phone, and their life together since Louis got sick. Then, at the end of each and every chapter, our narrator, the brother, ends with a forced conclusion, a reflection on what he’s discussed and realized about himself or life or whatever. These forced profound musings on life and death felt ridiculous, like he was reading too much into his experiences.
For me, This Is the Life was too bland. Even though Louis’ story was interesting and sad and profound, it was overshadowed by the awkwardly written dialogue and characters. I enjoyed parts of the book, but it wasn’t really for me.
May 7, 2019
Did not enjoy this book, as indicated by my rating. For one, the timeline is not linear, which I found annoying and frustrating. Normally I can deal with things like that, but these events were so close together in time that I didn’t see the sense in jumping around. I think the story would have flowed a lot better had the timeline actually been linear. Also, it just wasn’t interesting. We know it’s a story about death and “learning that the little stuff is the big stuff” but I didn’t get any of those profound feelings. This book was mostly boring and Louis is annoying. There’s too many background characters mentioned and at times it was hard to keep them straight and remember who entered Louis’ life when. Went with two stars rather than one because there were some lines that I liked, and there was a bit at the end that was (finally) touching.
May 2, 2015
Beautifully written poignant truths about death and dying and living. Well done!
July 15, 2018
I found this to be a quirky, morbid and sad but also somewhat uplifting read, with some dark humour and amusing moments, its bittersweet but not (to me) too sickeningly sentimental. I imagine many siblings could relate to the protagonist, who, incidentally, isn't specifically named - I thought that was somehow symbolic, what with him having been regarded as the somewhat lesser sibling.
It has moments of somewhat deep philosophical thoughts and so it is thought provoking but it is, as well, thankfully light hearted as well (believe it or not) and I found myself laughing at the protagonists brother (Louis) retorts and his attitudes at times. At other times, I found aspects of his personality frustrating. There are various family anecdotes stated, with many quirky miscellaneous characters described, from which the humour often comes from.
I found the chronology a little confusing now and again but overall I followed the plot and I appreciated the messages and symbolism. I also felt it was a quite memorable read, one that I felt very engrossed in and so I'd happily recommend it.
It has moments of somewhat deep philosophical thoughts and so it is thought provoking but it is, as well, thankfully light hearted as well (believe it or not) and I found myself laughing at the protagonists brother (Louis) retorts and his attitudes at times. At other times, I found aspects of his personality frustrating. There are various family anecdotes stated, with many quirky miscellaneous characters described, from which the humour often comes from.
I found the chronology a little confusing now and again but overall I followed the plot and I appreciated the messages and symbolism. I also felt it was a quite memorable read, one that I felt very engrossed in and so I'd happily recommend it.
January 1, 2019
In a series of short chapters, this novel follows two brothers. One lived in England, the other in Australia. They had an impoverished childhood. The elder brother, Louis, was destined for greatness, and the boys' mother spent countless hours discussing that great destiny with Louis.
The younger son was supposed to be a daughter--or at least his parents wanted a daughter. So he begins life as a disappointment and finds that nothing much is expected of him.
The two are reunited when Louis is diagnosed with brain cancer. The younger brother goes to Australia to care for Louis.
This book has many wise things to say about the way parental expectations shape our lives in unexpected ways. It is a powerful reminder of just how short life is and that, no matter how important we think we are to anyone else, even our families, we are all headed for the same end, where there is no difference between paupers and kings.
The younger son was supposed to be a daughter--or at least his parents wanted a daughter. So he begins life as a disappointment and finds that nothing much is expected of him.
The two are reunited when Louis is diagnosed with brain cancer. The younger brother goes to Australia to care for Louis.
This book has many wise things to say about the way parental expectations shape our lives in unexpected ways. It is a powerful reminder of just how short life is and that, no matter how important we think we are to anyone else, even our families, we are all headed for the same end, where there is no difference between paupers and kings.
August 23, 2021
This book follows a man catering to his bed-ridden brother, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I sort of enjoyed this one, with its nonchalant and flavourless writings. Not in a bad way, of course. I would consider it monochromatic because this is the life, not every single encounter we have in our day to day life is eventful.
Some are just- bland and this is why the book is realistic. Following Louis' treatment up to his death, I love the dynamic between the two brothers. While Louis can be complex and challenging to cater to, the brother will always have the patience. I picture Louis as someone close, however difficult it could be to manage him, he would still be loveable. The comical humor has made me laugh during the most awkward part.
You've guessed the ending, while it may not have a happy ending, it was written poignantly. I won't deny that the lines in this book have slapped some truth in me.
Some are just- bland and this is why the book is realistic. Following Louis' treatment up to his death, I love the dynamic between the two brothers. While Louis can be complex and challenging to cater to, the brother will always have the patience. I picture Louis as someone close, however difficult it could be to manage him, he would still be loveable. The comical humor has made me laugh during the most awkward part.
You've guessed the ending, while it may not have a happy ending, it was written poignantly. I won't deny that the lines in this book have slapped some truth in me.
December 18, 2021
Ekspektasi awal baca buku ini : deep, menyentuh, apalagi setelah tau bahwa bercerita tentang kematian. But I wasn’t overwhelmed by the writing style. Alur cerita nya pun lompat-lompat, mungkin penulis menggunakan alur maju mundur, but it was weird IMO. Dan karakter Louis sedikit menyebalkan dan aneh, perilaku Louis bukan seperti penderita tumor otak tapi lebih mirip disleksia (?) cmiiw. Beberapa nemu kalimat yang cukup menyentuh sih (that's why I give 2 stars instead of 1 stars hehe) tapi bingung dengan benang merah nya, dan ending nya pun ga jelas, tiba-tiba ceritanya berhenti. Mungkin maksud penulis menceritakan hal-hal kecil tapi bermakna besar, but I didn't get the point. Ceritanya sangat membingungkan mau dibawa kemana.
December 3, 2016
I guess I expected this to move me and in a way, it did at several points. Louis and his younger brother have been estranged for years. Louis lives in Australia and Alex (?) lives in the UK. When Louis is diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor, his brother moves in and becomes his caregiver. He finds Louis's home in disarray with broken or makeshift appliances and even a tea kettle without a handle! Louis mind starts to fog and he can no longer drive, navigate or read. He knows he is doomed but his brother refuses to give up because as Louis says, "he is tough." And, that is the theme of the book (besides love). Stay tough! Never give up! There is always hope!
June 2, 2023
4-5 star writing, but the content was depressing. This story is about two brothers, their relationship, their differences, their separate lives and their last months together as one brother slowly succumbs to terminal cancer.
Dying IS rather depressing, but especially when life’s purpose is unknown to the narrator of a sad story. The author’s musings and observations are interesting, but it was extra disheartening without the belief in life after death, every part of living and dying seems rather strange and empty.
I don’t think author’s intent was to promote faith, but that’s what I came away with. I’ll keep choosing faith, the alternative is empty and depressing.
Dying IS rather depressing, but especially when life’s purpose is unknown to the narrator of a sad story. The author’s musings and observations are interesting, but it was extra disheartening without the belief in life after death, every part of living and dying seems rather strange and empty.
I don’t think author’s intent was to promote faith, but that’s what I came away with. I’ll keep choosing faith, the alternative is empty and depressing.
May 20, 2019
Enjoyed this book about mortality and siblings. Remembering his childhood experiences as part of coming to terms with the death of his brother made for a touching semi memoir/novel that reminds us that life can be short, life can be unfair and life needs to be appreciated in the now.
All the events that happen to us are just noise! the main thing is to live until you die and you will die!
We all will but few of us believe it until we experience for real.
All the events that happen to us are just noise! the main thing is to live until you die and you will die!
We all will but few of us believe it until we experience for real.
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June 21, 2025S book that fictionised the relationship of Alex Shearer and his brother gives insight to the experience many may partake in on receiving terminal diagnoses. Navigating life before, during treatment and after, through reflecting on recent memories and living everyday moments of "this is the life" whilst in a pendulum of appointments. Shearer also covers the journey of grief through a variety of characters. Makes you ponder about what living life to full is really.
July 6, 2017
I was well over half-way through this book when I stopped wanting to just get it over with. The characters aren't appealing. The narrator doesn't believe in God or anything else. The dying man had no legacy to leave. Still, toward the end I felt that the author made one or two redeeming statements. I don't think I would have finished this book if it hadn't fulfilled a reading challenge prompt.
September 29, 2018
An intensely accurate depiction of the relationship between two brothers and the difficulty (and sometimes humor) of letting go. I enjoyed the stream of consciousness style, the sometimes endless short sentences that seemed to encompass all of the feelings and frustrations, doubts and bitterness associated with life and death.
November 12, 2019
A mellow Ode to a dead brother. The story flows smoothly giving us glimpses of the last days of a man with a brain tumor who is cared by his younger brother. As the brothers take one final journey together, we get to see the struggles of both the patient and the caretaker.
I loved the easy language used in this book albeit the dialogues were stiff and robotic.
I loved the easy language used in this book albeit the dialogues were stiff and robotic.
February 9, 2021
Such a funny and touching book, I like the relationship of the brother and Louis. I felt so empty when I finished this book. Surprisingly, I’d cried when I read the last chapter and the Author’s note.
I know, I’m really late when I read this book, it was published a long time ago. But, I enjoyed it :))
I know, I’m really late when I read this book, it was published a long time ago. But, I enjoyed it :))
October 5, 2018
This story is about a brother helping his dying brother and the aftermath of the brother's death. There are anecdotes and flashbacks and some humor. But in spite of lots of interesting writing, this book depressed me right from the beginning.
October 18, 2018
Despite it being plotless, i find this book to be very poignant and pack with wisdom. It tells a story about two brothers and how their experiences impact each others lives. Unlike most books about death and diseases, this book shows its sentiment through different ways.
April 5, 2019
This was a good read. At times I found myself laughing at what the 2 brothers had said to one an other. Or they way they were describing something. Louis is fighting a brain tumor and his brother is telling the story of his life. The ups and downs of it all.
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