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Euthanasia: Notes From a Practitioner
Mike Parker is afraid. One day he will die, but how will he go and if life becomes unbearable will he be able to choose the time? Obviously not, euthanasia and assisted dying are illegal in the UK. So Mike takes up the cause and starts crowdfunding for the liberation of death. He will open the country's first euthansia centre after he wins a change in law and then sell it back to the NHS because he loves the NHS. But who are these strangers he has employed on his campaign team? And can he trust them when powerful forces try to scupper his plans?
Euthanasia: Notes from a Practitioner – a black comedy on the right to die with dignity.
Euthanasia: Notes from a Practitioner – a black comedy on the right to die with dignity.
274 pages, Paperback
Published March 28, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 8, 2018
I've read a fair bit of Mr Bailey's work so far, and each transports me into an odd state of mind. Sort of like a Witchfordian Carlos Castaneda, he can carry me to a place almost, but not exactly, like our reality. I place where odd things can happen.
This work isn't all that out of the realm of possibility, especially given the idea that some pseudo-Firage could seek the legal privatisation of the slaughter of the elderly and infirm. It's the style though that begs the question: Whatever your position regarding assisted dying should you enjoy reading about the subject in this fashion? Surely we should take it seriously rather than be entertained? This work gives plenty to think about and entertainingly, so perhaps it is appropriate to explore this subject in this fashion. It's easy to approach difficult topics in a light-hearted manner, but I'm left feeling like I'm skipping towards my demise. Disturbing indeed.
It's also the transportation that is ever-so-slightly disturbing and, as I noted, it seems to be a common theme in Mr Bailey's work. I guess I was hinting at some magical realism when comparing him to Castaneda, but I struggle to think of a suitable, analogous, author. You know when you were young, and you woke up, but everything seemed like a dream (or was that just me?)? That's sort of how I feel when reading his work (and I think this is the third I've read). It's not horrible or anything, just disturbing and leaves me glad for the journey and happy to be back. An experience I've not had when reading any other writer!
On the whole, I'd recommend this and not just for the theme but for the opportunity to travel somewhere ever-so-slightly like our humdrum existence but just a smidge off.
This work isn't all that out of the realm of possibility, especially given the idea that some pseudo-Firage could seek the legal privatisation of the slaughter of the elderly and infirm. It's the style though that begs the question: Whatever your position regarding assisted dying should you enjoy reading about the subject in this fashion? Surely we should take it seriously rather than be entertained? This work gives plenty to think about and entertainingly, so perhaps it is appropriate to explore this subject in this fashion. It's easy to approach difficult topics in a light-hearted manner, but I'm left feeling like I'm skipping towards my demise. Disturbing indeed.
It's also the transportation that is ever-so-slightly disturbing and, as I noted, it seems to be a common theme in Mr Bailey's work. I guess I was hinting at some magical realism when comparing him to Castaneda, but I struggle to think of a suitable, analogous, author. You know when you were young, and you woke up, but everything seemed like a dream (or was that just me?)? That's sort of how I feel when reading his work (and I think this is the third I've read). It's not horrible or anything, just disturbing and leaves me glad for the journey and happy to be back. An experience I've not had when reading any other writer!
On the whole, I'd recommend this and not just for the theme but for the opportunity to travel somewhere ever-so-slightly like our humdrum existence but just a smidge off.
August 24, 2023
A hilarious take on a controversial subject - How the Author managed to make this taboo subject highly entertaining is a mark of ingenious writing which had me laughing out loud. I loved the dark and often twisted sense of humour that was employed to illustrate the outdated protocols and politics that surrounds euthanasia. The pain and suffering endured by the terminally ill is summed up by the remark "You wouldn't do it to a dog". This is a great read and emphasises the many sides to human nature when face with money and death.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews