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Simply Beside Herself
A charming, gentle novel about reclaiming independence at the final stage of life, for readers of Amanda Hampson and Joanna Nell.
When 76-year-old Elizabeth sees a dead body – her own – on a park bench, she knows it’s a sign that it’s time for her to make some big changes in her life.
She has recently moved into the heavily regimented nursing home The Cloisters, and, after becoming a widow, has lost all sense of herself and her life. Jolted suddenly out of the greyness of her life, she performs a daring abscondence from the suffocating Cloisters and sets off in search of a better future – and a reconnection with her past.
Elizabeth’s sudden disappearance throws her daughter Ellen’s life into disarray – she has to frantically search for her mother while trying to hold her fracturing family together. Overwhelmed and feeling isolated, the two eventually come together to make a series of audacious escapes to better futures. They each discover how easy it is to get lost, and how important it is to be found again.
Simply Beside Herself is a warm, charming novel about reclaiming independence at every stage of life.
When 76-year-old Elizabeth sees a dead body – her own – on a park bench, she knows it’s a sign that it’s time for her to make some big changes in her life.
She has recently moved into the heavily regimented nursing home The Cloisters, and, after becoming a widow, has lost all sense of herself and her life. Jolted suddenly out of the greyness of her life, she performs a daring abscondence from the suffocating Cloisters and sets off in search of a better future – and a reconnection with her past.
Elizabeth’s sudden disappearance throws her daughter Ellen’s life into disarray – she has to frantically search for her mother while trying to hold her fracturing family together. Overwhelmed and feeling isolated, the two eventually come together to make a series of audacious escapes to better futures. They each discover how easy it is to get lost, and how important it is to be found again.
Simply Beside Herself is a warm, charming novel about reclaiming independence at every stage of life.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 9, 2026
A feel-good story, albeit with moments of reckoning with regrettable decisions and choices never made. Elizabeth is a woman who, although in the twilight years of her life, finds new meaning in it and proves you're never too old to change your life's course. So much heart and humour are present across a great cast of characters, many of whom come together beautifully in circumstances that are both touching and hilarious. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Simply Beside Herself by Judith Katharine is a character-driven debut that blends humour, heart, and a touch of chaos.
We meet Elizabeth Daly, a resident of a residential care home called The Cloisters 18 months after the death of her husband. One day, Elizabeth comes across her body sitting on a bench. Realising that something must change, Elizabeth makes a quiet but radical choice—she simply leaves, setting in motion events she could never have expected.
This gave me strong The Thursday Murder Club vibes, in both the use of multiple characters all connected to The Cloisters and the style of written. It is easy to read, character focused and often darkly humorous. There are also shades of The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (an obvious comparison given the similar plot lines).
Katharine has written a strong debut. The characters feel real and distinct. She understands how to write a character driven novel.
All the characters are struggling with connection and I love how the theme of loneliness is explored through a variety of characters with different social backgrounds and at different stages of their lives. It is a gentle reflection on modern society and how much we all need a sense of belonging.
For me, the novel would have benefited from a stronger central plot. This largely comes back to the opening premise, where Elizabeth has an out-of-body experience. While it clearly sets events in motion, it didn’t fully align with what followed. I could see what the author was aiming for, but I’m not convinced it entirely worked.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. A strong debut with a clear sense of style—definitely one to watch.
We meet Elizabeth Daly, a resident of a residential care home called The Cloisters 18 months after the death of her husband. One day, Elizabeth comes across her body sitting on a bench. Realising that something must change, Elizabeth makes a quiet but radical choice—she simply leaves, setting in motion events she could never have expected.
This gave me strong The Thursday Murder Club vibes, in both the use of multiple characters all connected to The Cloisters and the style of written. It is easy to read, character focused and often darkly humorous. There are also shades of The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (an obvious comparison given the similar plot lines).
Katharine has written a strong debut. The characters feel real and distinct. She understands how to write a character driven novel.
All the characters are struggling with connection and I love how the theme of loneliness is explored through a variety of characters with different social backgrounds and at different stages of their lives. It is a gentle reflection on modern society and how much we all need a sense of belonging.
For me, the novel would have benefited from a stronger central plot. This largely comes back to the opening premise, where Elizabeth has an out-of-body experience. While it clearly sets events in motion, it didn’t fully align with what followed. I could see what the author was aiming for, but I’m not convinced it entirely worked.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. A strong debut with a clear sense of style—definitely one to watch.
May 6, 2026
Sometimes you need to lose yourself to find what’s missing.
I really liked the sweetness of the story, there was a bit of an adventure, a bit of cake and a bit of self realisation.
The epilogue though, it tied up ends that weren’t even loose.
I really liked the sweetness of the story, there was a bit of an adventure, a bit of cake and a bit of self realisation.
The epilogue though, it tied up ends that weren’t even loose.
May 7, 2026
A lovely read that stays with you after you finish. It’s not often I enjoy reading a book this much. We definitely need more books like this with themes like these.
I wish I was as amazing as Elizabeth.
Thoroughly recommend
I wish I was as amazing as Elizabeth.
Thoroughly recommend
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review to follow
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews