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With or Without You
‘How long does a coma last?’ I ask.
‘Days, weeks, months?’ the nurse replies with a shrug, although her eyes are very kind.
‘But on average?’
She just smiles, unable to give me an answer.
Wendy's life can be neatly divided into two: before and after.
Before her husband’s car accident, it was just the two of them. They never took the train at rush hour, and they avoided their noisy neighbour upstairs. Naveem devoted his spare time to vintage train models, and Wendy to re-reading the well-thumbed pages of her favourite books. It didn’t matter what others thought about their small, quiet life together – they were happy.
After the coma, Wendy barely recognises herself. When she’s not holding the love of her life’s hand, accompanied by the beep of the life-support machine, who is she? The nurse tells her to talk to Naveem – that he can still hear her – but she doesn’t have a single thing to say.
Suddenly Wendy can’t bear the silence. She needs something, anything, to talk to Naveem about. Suddenly she’s losing herself at fairgrounds packed with crowds and candyfloss, she’s at the airport, waiting for the whoosh of the planes as they take off, making friends with the neighbour she has spent over a decade avoiding.
Knowing that every breath her husband takes might be his last, Wendy has no choice but to try to carry on without him. Should she feel guilty about living while his life is on pause? And when – if – he wakes up, will he still love the woman she has become?
This poignant, moving and uplifting tale is for anyone who has taken life for granted, neglected to say ‘I love you’ to their loved ones, or forgotten to find happiness in the little things. Perfect for fans of Josie Silver, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Jojo Moyes.
‘Days, weeks, months?’ the nurse replies with a shrug, although her eyes are very kind.
‘But on average?’
She just smiles, unable to give me an answer.
Wendy's life can be neatly divided into two: before and after.
Before her husband’s car accident, it was just the two of them. They never took the train at rush hour, and they avoided their noisy neighbour upstairs. Naveem devoted his spare time to vintage train models, and Wendy to re-reading the well-thumbed pages of her favourite books. It didn’t matter what others thought about their small, quiet life together – they were happy.
After the coma, Wendy barely recognises herself. When she’s not holding the love of her life’s hand, accompanied by the beep of the life-support machine, who is she? The nurse tells her to talk to Naveem – that he can still hear her – but she doesn’t have a single thing to say.
Suddenly Wendy can’t bear the silence. She needs something, anything, to talk to Naveem about. Suddenly she’s losing herself at fairgrounds packed with crowds and candyfloss, she’s at the airport, waiting for the whoosh of the planes as they take off, making friends with the neighbour she has spent over a decade avoiding.
Knowing that every breath her husband takes might be his last, Wendy has no choice but to try to carry on without him. Should she feel guilty about living while his life is on pause? And when – if – he wakes up, will he still love the woman she has become?
This poignant, moving and uplifting tale is for anyone who has taken life for granted, neglected to say ‘I love you’ to their loved ones, or forgotten to find happiness in the little things. Perfect for fans of Josie Silver, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Jojo Moyes.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2020
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209 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 15, 2020
"The life changing accident happened, as they often do, quite unexpectedly.”
Snap! That’s as long as it takes for your life to be changed in an instant. Little did Wendy Dixit know when her hubby Naveem hopped into his black cab to start his shift as a taxi driver, that their lives would be changed forever. Naveem’s cab is involved in a smash with a lorry, resulting in him ending up in a coma. Wendy lost and alone, is left with plenty of time to think about their lives together, and their relationship.
Naveem and Wendy live very quiet, orderly lives. Mr and Mrs Dixit. They are safe in their routine. They avoid shopping in crowds. They don’t catch the train at peak hour. They keep the volume on the TV down low. They don’t mix with the neighbours, especially the troublesome Mrs Rampersad upstairs. They have no need of other people’s company. Even when together, Wendy will be in one room re-reading a favourite book, and Naveem will be in another, attending to his hobby as a model train enthusiast. They’re like a well oiled machine. No trouble to anybody. Perhaps too much so. An impenetrable love bubble.
Their relationships with their families are lukewarm. It seems that neither side ever truly accepted either the age or cultural difference between Wendy and Naveem. Less understand why they chose each other, or that they fell in love.
”For what is quality time, really? It’s whenever you don’t want to be anywhere else.”
Wendy finds herself at a loss. Having no friends to speak of, only a sister that she’s not particularly close to, Wendy looks inward. Spending time at Naveem’s bedside, she has too much time to think, and question their choices and their relationship.
”...she found her mind filling with strange entertainments, random memories from their marriage cataloguing the times they’d held hands on the beach, which beaches, the weather on those days... ”
At the beginning of the story, there is such a feeling of inertia surrounding the character of Mrs Dixit (Wendy). She reminded me of a caged bird that doesn’t notice the door is wide open, and that she’s free to fly.
It’s strange how times of tragedy can bring people together. Wendy finds an unlikely ally in her upstairs neighbour Mrs Rampserad. Wendy and Naveem had not spoken with her in the ten years they’d been neighbours. Both sides making assumptions of the other. Mrs Ramperad offers Wendy a lift to the hospital, and a friendship blossoms.
Mrs R. is a joy! I pictured her as a Caribbean version of Hyacinth Bucket (“Bouquet”). Bossy, pushy, opinionated, but ultimately with her heart in the right place. Everyone needs a Mrs.R in their life. Especially in times of crisis.
This book has the push and pull of all too real human emotions. I was on an emotional rollercoaster with Wendy as she questioned and doubted her marriage. Especially as other people were putting these thoughts in her head. The turmoil people weather in a crisis. Feelings of loneliness and alienation. Often because we won’t let our guard down. Who steps up to help you out. Simply being there for one another. And especially the dangers of assumptions and being too scared to open your heart and listen to your feelings.
While there is an underlying sadness to the story, there are also moments that are excruciatingly funny. Some of the situations that Wendy and Mrs Rampersad found themselves in, had me laughing into my coffee. Poignantly bittersweet.
There is the most beautiful line towards the end of the book that gives Wendy hope that if Naveem wakes from his coma, there is no doubt of his love for her.
" 'My wife doesn't need to wear sparkly things, her eyes are enough.' You don't hear men talking like that. He's a keeper, that one." Indeed he is!
Yet another one of Drew's books that has melted my heart, and made me laugh and cry. Often within a matter of pages 💛 This is Drew Davies’ third book, and I continue to be in awe at his absolute empathy for his character’s emotions. He understands women so well to be able to write about their emotions so beautifully.
If you haven’t read his earlier books Dear Lily or The Shape of Us yet, what are you waiting for? Close the door on the world for a bit, and get lost in a good book. Or three.
June 23, 2020
With or Without You by Drew Davies is the second novel that I have read from this author, and it is every bit as enjoyable and affecting as the first. Drew Davies has now secured a place on my must read list.
Mrs Dixit leads a quiet and contented life with her husband Naveem, a taxi driver. But when Naveem is involved in an accident and falls into a coma, his wife must finds ways to cope without him as she struggles to come to grips with a life that has been suddenly redefined. As the days pass with no change to Naveem's condition, Mrs Dixit finds herself drawn to both people and circumstances that she has spent a lifetime avoiding, and wonders just how much of her life she has let quietly slip away while she was cocooned in shyness and familiarity.
This is a wonderful read about second chances, and a poignant reminder that life is never static and can change in the blink of an eye. 4.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
Mrs Dixit leads a quiet and contented life with her husband Naveem, a taxi driver. But when Naveem is involved in an accident and falls into a coma, his wife must finds ways to cope without him as she struggles to come to grips with a life that has been suddenly redefined. As the days pass with no change to Naveem's condition, Mrs Dixit finds herself drawn to both people and circumstances that she has spent a lifetime avoiding, and wonders just how much of her life she has let quietly slip away while she was cocooned in shyness and familiarity.
This is a wonderful read about second chances, and a poignant reminder that life is never static and can change in the blink of an eye. 4.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
August 4, 2020
Wow!!! A seemingly gentle novel that ended up bringing out all kinds of emotions in me. I fell head-over-heels in love with this cast of quirky characters who made me laugh out loud and also shed a tear or two. From the quiet Mrs Dixit to the fiery, yet-warm-hearted Mrs Rampersad. I didn't want the story end and I'll miss them all now it's over. This was my first Drew Davies novel, but I'll be seeking out his other books now.
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August 2, 2020A sedate read, with quieter overtones, author Drew Davies' new book cast a glance on the lives of Mr. And Mrs. Davies, their past and present, when Mr. Davies was in a coma after a road accident.
The couple led a quiet life where they hardly soke with their own private interests. The words in the prose lent an atmosphere of silence where almost a vacuum existed. Post the tragedy, it was fun to see Mrs. Dixit to emerge out of cocoon and interact with the world, especially with the upstairs neighbor.
I could understand Mrs. Dixit need for noisy places to drown out her own emotions. Secrets too wormed its way out. Loneliness was felt but more from a retrospective way. She was never lonely when he was there, but when he just lay there, all that remained was nothing. Stark silence.
Relationships improved, new ones got forged as Mrs. Dixit found her way. The writing was dry and slow. At times, there were two Mrs. Dixits, the mother-in-law. It led me to wonder if an Indian mother-in-law would ever be so quiet.
The was poignant in its own way as it dealt with loneliness, a need for change, and finding their own path in life. A new way of living sometimes meant a fun way.
The couple led a quiet life where they hardly soke with their own private interests. The words in the prose lent an atmosphere of silence where almost a vacuum existed. Post the tragedy, it was fun to see Mrs. Dixit to emerge out of cocoon and interact with the world, especially with the upstairs neighbor.
I could understand Mrs. Dixit need for noisy places to drown out her own emotions. Secrets too wormed its way out. Loneliness was felt but more from a retrospective way. She was never lonely when he was there, but when he just lay there, all that remained was nothing. Stark silence.
Relationships improved, new ones got forged as Mrs. Dixit found her way. The writing was dry and slow. At times, there were two Mrs. Dixits, the mother-in-law. It led me to wonder if an Indian mother-in-law would ever be so quiet.
The was poignant in its own way as it dealt with loneliness, a need for change, and finding their own path in life. A new way of living sometimes meant a fun way.
June 26, 2020
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!!
Wendy’s life can be neatly divided into two: before and after.
Before her husband, Naveem's, car accident, she was contended about their small and quiet life together. But with her husband in coma, and with no idea of long a coma lasts, Wendy is lost and lonely.
She finds herself doing things she normally wouldn't do and finds a friend in her neighbour, whom she has spent over a decade avoiding.
This is a book which focuses on loneliness and neighbours helping neighbours. While this book did have a few life lessons, the plot itself was not that enjoyable.
I couldn't connect much with any of the characters and found it confusing at times. I just wish there was a bit more clarity in the names and events, that would have made this book even more better..
Wendy’s life can be neatly divided into two: before and after.
Before her husband, Naveem's, car accident, she was contended about their small and quiet life together. But with her husband in coma, and with no idea of long a coma lasts, Wendy is lost and lonely.
She finds herself doing things she normally wouldn't do and finds a friend in her neighbour, whom she has spent over a decade avoiding.
This is a book which focuses on loneliness and neighbours helping neighbours. While this book did have a few life lessons, the plot itself was not that enjoyable.
I couldn't connect much with any of the characters and found it confusing at times. I just wish there was a bit more clarity in the names and events, that would have made this book even more better..
August 5, 2020
It was just another Saturday as Wendy Dixit watched her husband Naveem set out for another shift in his taxi, but then she got a phone call saying that he's been involved in an accident. With Naveem not only being in hospital, but in a coma, it means that Wendy has time to reflect on her life.
Having been used to her quiet, secluded life with her husband, she's now forced into situations where she has to communicate with strangers and open up which is something she's clearly not comfortable with. Her marriage to Naveem is self-absorbed, the two of them happy with their predictable daily routines, needing no-one else but each other. Naveem has his trains and Wendy has her books and together they tick along quite nicely. So being forcebly removed from this routine is a scary position for Wendy to be in. She desperately wants not only her husband, but her life as she knows it back.
It took a little while for me to get into this book and I did struggle with the nature of Naveem's accident but this was purely for personal reasons and no reflection at all on the writing. I'm glad that I got past that though as this is a beautiful story about how quickly life can change and the repurcussions that these changes have.
Following Wendy on her journey of self discovery was thought provoking, just how well do we know the people around us, including our spouse. I particularly enjoyed watching her relationship with her neighbour Mrs Rampersad (or Mrs Ampersand as she will forever be in my head!) grow. Brushed off at first as an interfering busy-body, it was a joy to see Wendy flourish and embrace this new found friendship which was wonderfully scattered with subtle humour.
With or Without You is a gentle, thought-provoking and emotional read that will make you think about so many relevant topics from mortality, friendships, family, mental health issues, loneliness and how we find our own paths in life. Drew Davies is clearly a very accomplished writer and I'll definitely look out for his other books in the future.
Having been used to her quiet, secluded life with her husband, she's now forced into situations where she has to communicate with strangers and open up which is something she's clearly not comfortable with. Her marriage to Naveem is self-absorbed, the two of them happy with their predictable daily routines, needing no-one else but each other. Naveem has his trains and Wendy has her books and together they tick along quite nicely. So being forcebly removed from this routine is a scary position for Wendy to be in. She desperately wants not only her husband, but her life as she knows it back.
It took a little while for me to get into this book and I did struggle with the nature of Naveem's accident but this was purely for personal reasons and no reflection at all on the writing. I'm glad that I got past that though as this is a beautiful story about how quickly life can change and the repurcussions that these changes have.
Following Wendy on her journey of self discovery was thought provoking, just how well do we know the people around us, including our spouse. I particularly enjoyed watching her relationship with her neighbour Mrs Rampersad (or Mrs Ampersand as she will forever be in my head!) grow. Brushed off at first as an interfering busy-body, it was a joy to see Wendy flourish and embrace this new found friendship which was wonderfully scattered with subtle humour.
With or Without You is a gentle, thought-provoking and emotional read that will make you think about so many relevant topics from mortality, friendships, family, mental health issues, loneliness and how we find our own paths in life. Drew Davies is clearly a very accomplished writer and I'll definitely look out for his other books in the future.
September 23, 2020
Mrs Dixit (Wendy) and her husband have no children and live a quiet but relatively happy life. I really felt for her when she gets the awful news of her husband being involved in an accident. She doesn’t have much in the way of family. She has a sister who she doesn’t have a great deal to do with and due to the culture differences between her and Naveem, they no longer speak to his family.
To be pretty much on your own without a good support system, I had every empathy for Wendy. It makes you think how reliant we can be on our partners and Wendy has to start doing things for herself of which she had always been happy to let Naveem be in control of. Wendy does find a friend of sorts in her neighbour Mrs Rampersad, who lives in the flat above her. The relationship between these two women truly makes this story. They are an unlikely pairing in terms of friendship and up until the accident, have kept themselves to themselves.
I so enjoyed getting to know both of these women. Mrs Rampersad is out spoken and quite bolshy whilst Wendy on the other hand, is pretty quiet and timid. It is a bit of a rocky friendship at times but you know that both women mean well and it makes for some humorous and heartwarming reading at times.
With Or Without You is a wonderfully gentle read that drew me straight into the story. The author covers many current topics but in a quiet and understated way of which I found had quite an impact on me. It’s a story of many things but for me, mainly it was about friendship and realising that we have more within us than we give ourselves credit for. I absolutely adored this novel of which for it’s genre, there were a few clever little twists that I hadn’t seen coming and had me thinking the worst of some of the characters only to have had it completely wrong! Highly recommended.
To be pretty much on your own without a good support system, I had every empathy for Wendy. It makes you think how reliant we can be on our partners and Wendy has to start doing things for herself of which she had always been happy to let Naveem be in control of. Wendy does find a friend of sorts in her neighbour Mrs Rampersad, who lives in the flat above her. The relationship between these two women truly makes this story. They are an unlikely pairing in terms of friendship and up until the accident, have kept themselves to themselves.
I so enjoyed getting to know both of these women. Mrs Rampersad is out spoken and quite bolshy whilst Wendy on the other hand, is pretty quiet and timid. It is a bit of a rocky friendship at times but you know that both women mean well and it makes for some humorous and heartwarming reading at times.
With Or Without You is a wonderfully gentle read that drew me straight into the story. The author covers many current topics but in a quiet and understated way of which I found had quite an impact on me. It’s a story of many things but for me, mainly it was about friendship and realising that we have more within us than we give ourselves credit for. I absolutely adored this novel of which for it’s genre, there were a few clever little twists that I hadn’t seen coming and had me thinking the worst of some of the characters only to have had it completely wrong! Highly recommended.
August 1, 2020
3.5 stars
This is a quiet book about the very quiet life of a married couple. Maybe you would find their life together dull but they are happy. But their exceedingly ordinary life together is shattered when Naveem Dixit gets into an accident in his taxi and ends up in a coma. Leaving Mrs Dixit to patiently sit quietly at his bedside.
Then estranged family members and the police are asking questions, why was the female passenger, who has died, in the front passenger seat ? Did he have a habit of using recreational drugs? Suddenly Mrs Dixit’s life gets interesting.
This is a slow paced gentle story, putting marriage under a microscope and of a woman almost lost having to dig deep to find herself without her husband to help her. With added elements of mystery to discover along the way.
With a cast of eccentric characters to help her find her way, this is all about Mrs Dixit discovering who she is, the importance of friends and really living life to the full as you never know what’s around the corner.
The other characters especially Mrs Rampersad, and Mrs Dixit’s pushy sister are wonderfully loud and are much needed to liven up the story as Mrs Dixit is so quiet and shy.
This is a quiet book about the very quiet life of a married couple. Maybe you would find their life together dull but they are happy. But their exceedingly ordinary life together is shattered when Naveem Dixit gets into an accident in his taxi and ends up in a coma. Leaving Mrs Dixit to patiently sit quietly at his bedside.
Then estranged family members and the police are asking questions, why was the female passenger, who has died, in the front passenger seat ? Did he have a habit of using recreational drugs? Suddenly Mrs Dixit’s life gets interesting.
This is a slow paced gentle story, putting marriage under a microscope and of a woman almost lost having to dig deep to find herself without her husband to help her. With added elements of mystery to discover along the way.
With a cast of eccentric characters to help her find her way, this is all about Mrs Dixit discovering who she is, the importance of friends and really living life to the full as you never know what’s around the corner.
The other characters especially Mrs Rampersad, and Mrs Dixit’s pushy sister are wonderfully loud and are much needed to liven up the story as Mrs Dixit is so quiet and shy.
June 27, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me the eARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Every love story need not start with a bang or end with fireworks. Some love stories slowly creep on you just like this book. Love is love. . .❤ It doesn't need the crutches of race, gender, sexuality, age etc and it certainly doesn't demand that you shouldn't have any mental health issues. With or without you by Drew Davies deals with the themes of love, loneliness, friendship, mental health and family in a sensitive portrayal which gradually grows on you as the book progresses. 💕
.
This is the story of Mr and Mrs Dixit, a biracial couple living in Chomley, London. Wendy, Mrs Dixit is White and ten years older than her husband Naveem whose family migrated from India. Naveem is a taxi driver and is a collector of train models. The couple live in a secluded bubble with no kids, no close friends and almost no contact with their respective families. One day Naveem has an accident while driving his taxi and goes into a coma. Suddenly their carefully cultivated routines go haywire, Wendy finds herself alone with no idea about what to do in such a situation. 💕
.
In the days after Naveem's accident, Wendy slowly begins to pick up the threads of her life. This includes an unlikely friendship with her upstairs neighbor Mrs Rampersad, forging an camaraderie with her nephew Henry, discovering her own strengths as she slowly comes out of her shell to receive and offer affection. She finds out that having distant parents might have repressed her ability to vocalise her feelings but it certainly has not made her 'frigid' or 'uppity' as people tend to think about her. 💕
.
This book is a slow burn. From the start itself, you get a sense that something is going to happen. The author has a knack for writing characters which will surprise you as they slowly reveal all facets of their personality. Mrs Rampersad, a Bible study group member, blunt to the point of rudeness, displays her softer side as she takes on the role as a protector to Wendy and admits her loneliness and longing for her children in an incoherent moment. Wendy's mother-in-law who keeps an unending vigil at her son's bedside, ultimately admits her own insecurities and mental health issues which plagued her and Naveem too. 💕
.
Unexpected flashes of humor liven up this tale of belonging. In these troubled times, this book will reinforce the value of friendships and relationships. This is a book which should be read for its brilliant character portrayal, its sensitive handling of mental health issues and most importantly the story of falling in love again with your spouse nineteen years after marriage. The only niggling issues I have with this book are that it drags a bit in the middle and the title seems a little unimaginative for a brilliantly written book.
Every love story need not start with a bang or end with fireworks. Some love stories slowly creep on you just like this book. Love is love. . .❤ It doesn't need the crutches of race, gender, sexuality, age etc and it certainly doesn't demand that you shouldn't have any mental health issues. With or without you by Drew Davies deals with the themes of love, loneliness, friendship, mental health and family in a sensitive portrayal which gradually grows on you as the book progresses. 💕
.
This is the story of Mr and Mrs Dixit, a biracial couple living in Chomley, London. Wendy, Mrs Dixit is White and ten years older than her husband Naveem whose family migrated from India. Naveem is a taxi driver and is a collector of train models. The couple live in a secluded bubble with no kids, no close friends and almost no contact with their respective families. One day Naveem has an accident while driving his taxi and goes into a coma. Suddenly their carefully cultivated routines go haywire, Wendy finds herself alone with no idea about what to do in such a situation. 💕
.
In the days after Naveem's accident, Wendy slowly begins to pick up the threads of her life. This includes an unlikely friendship with her upstairs neighbor Mrs Rampersad, forging an camaraderie with her nephew Henry, discovering her own strengths as she slowly comes out of her shell to receive and offer affection. She finds out that having distant parents might have repressed her ability to vocalise her feelings but it certainly has not made her 'frigid' or 'uppity' as people tend to think about her. 💕
.
This book is a slow burn. From the start itself, you get a sense that something is going to happen. The author has a knack for writing characters which will surprise you as they slowly reveal all facets of their personality. Mrs Rampersad, a Bible study group member, blunt to the point of rudeness, displays her softer side as she takes on the role as a protector to Wendy and admits her loneliness and longing for her children in an incoherent moment. Wendy's mother-in-law who keeps an unending vigil at her son's bedside, ultimately admits her own insecurities and mental health issues which plagued her and Naveem too. 💕
.
Unexpected flashes of humor liven up this tale of belonging. In these troubled times, this book will reinforce the value of friendships and relationships. This is a book which should be read for its brilliant character portrayal, its sensitive handling of mental health issues and most importantly the story of falling in love again with your spouse nineteen years after marriage. The only niggling issues I have with this book are that it drags a bit in the middle and the title seems a little unimaginative for a brilliantly written book.
August 6, 2020
When Wendy gets a call to tell her that her Husband Naveem has had a car accident and is in a coma, her life changes more than she can imagine. Used to a life that is quiet and ordered, Wendy can’t stand the silence anymore – too many questions going round in her brain. And what follows is a funny and heartwarming tale of Wendy finding some of herself again whilst she sets off on adventures with her neighbour, Mrs Rampersad.
However, battling with her in-laws doesn’t help her state of mind, and Wendy has to decide what the best thing is to do. Due to racial divides, Wendy was never accepted by his family, leading to estrangement. But will they let bygones be bygones? And will Naveem pull through or does Wendy need to be ready for life on her own?
This was a thought-provoking, uplifting and funny story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I absolutely loved the way Wendy seems to come out of herself, and despite her age, finds a part of herself that has been hidden away for years. Encouraged by Mrs Rampersad, Wendy goes places she hasn’t been for years, or ever before; enjoys time with her 6 year old nephew, Henry (who is adorable), enjoys flowers in her home and argues with more than one person! She does some amateur sleuthing alongside Mrs Rampersad to try to learn more about her Husbands accident and his female passenger, and undertakes a stake out outside her in-laws home! From the quiet, softly spoken woman comes a fiery and fun lady who Naveem would struggle to recognise.
The characters are brilliant. I loved Wendy (as you can tell) and Mrs Rampersad had me in stitches at times. Naveem’s family will bring out all sorts of emotions, these will change over time….. I loved Magnus – a wonderful, and misunderstood man, he was the one I wanted to hug (there’s always one!).
The story covers lots of things that will get you thinking. Loneliness, racism, friendship, mental health, marriage and love; and will bring out all your emotions. Davies covers these subjects sensitively, and lightens up the book with light hearted humour which will make you chuckle.
My only niggle with this book was the way two of the main characters were referred to throughout the book. Mrs Dixit and Mrs Rampersad – which, for me, made the flow of the story slightly clunky in places; as well as it taking me a while to feel invested in them. It felt quite formal and I found myself just reading ‘Wendy’ whenever it said Mrs Dixit. Not a huge issue, but a niggle nonetheless.
Overall, I did really enjoy this and would love to read more from Davies. You will come away from this book feeling happy and uplifted, after a gentle rollercoaster ride and some hilarious moments. If you’re looking for your next moving, thought-provoking, yet witty read then check this out. Recommended by me.
However, battling with her in-laws doesn’t help her state of mind, and Wendy has to decide what the best thing is to do. Due to racial divides, Wendy was never accepted by his family, leading to estrangement. But will they let bygones be bygones? And will Naveem pull through or does Wendy need to be ready for life on her own?
This was a thought-provoking, uplifting and funny story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I absolutely loved the way Wendy seems to come out of herself, and despite her age, finds a part of herself that has been hidden away for years. Encouraged by Mrs Rampersad, Wendy goes places she hasn’t been for years, or ever before; enjoys time with her 6 year old nephew, Henry (who is adorable), enjoys flowers in her home and argues with more than one person! She does some amateur sleuthing alongside Mrs Rampersad to try to learn more about her Husbands accident and his female passenger, and undertakes a stake out outside her in-laws home! From the quiet, softly spoken woman comes a fiery and fun lady who Naveem would struggle to recognise.
The characters are brilliant. I loved Wendy (as you can tell) and Mrs Rampersad had me in stitches at times. Naveem’s family will bring out all sorts of emotions, these will change over time….. I loved Magnus – a wonderful, and misunderstood man, he was the one I wanted to hug (there’s always one!).
The story covers lots of things that will get you thinking. Loneliness, racism, friendship, mental health, marriage and love; and will bring out all your emotions. Davies covers these subjects sensitively, and lightens up the book with light hearted humour which will make you chuckle.
My only niggle with this book was the way two of the main characters were referred to throughout the book. Mrs Dixit and Mrs Rampersad – which, for me, made the flow of the story slightly clunky in places; as well as it taking me a while to feel invested in them. It felt quite formal and I found myself just reading ‘Wendy’ whenever it said Mrs Dixit. Not a huge issue, but a niggle nonetheless.
Overall, I did really enjoy this and would love to read more from Davies. You will come away from this book feeling happy and uplifted, after a gentle rollercoaster ride and some hilarious moments. If you’re looking for your next moving, thought-provoking, yet witty read then check this out. Recommended by me.
August 5, 2020
Wendy Dixit’s husband, Naveem is a taxi driver and when he is involved in a car accident which leaves him in a coma, she finds her perfectly ordered life is in disarray. Mrs Dixit and her husband kept themselves to themselves ever since they were married. Due to the mixed-race marriage, Naveem’s family didn’t agree with his choice of wife and they have had little contact over the years. Wendy finds herself alone in a house full of silence, and visiting her husband in hospital doesn’t make her any happier. The story is told day by day, counting the days after Naveem’s accident. Little doubts pop into Mrs Dixit’s mind as to what was the cause of the accident, and her doubts aren’t really helped by the suspicions of her neighbour and new confidant, Mrs Rampersad.
This is the third book which I have read by this author, although I have to admit this book was certainly different as to what I was expecting. At the beginning, I felt sadness and confusion, not unlike Mrs Dixit. I liked her character and empathised with what she was going through. The book is told in three parts and as the story moves you begin to get to know the characters better. The writing is very descriptive, allowing you to live and feel the different characters, experiencing their emotions along with them. Mrs Dixit is obviously the main character, and whilst we are told her first name, we only really know her as Mrs Dixit. As the story moves on, Mrs Dixit’s character begins to change. She is finding new friends and new things to do waiting for her husband to wake up. She finds herself interacting with people who she wouldn’t normally have done. We are left waiting to find out whether Naveem wakes up until well into the story, riding the rollercoaster of emotions that Mrs Dixit is also on.
Naveem’s accident seems to have started a catalyst in his wife’s life. Whether this works out for the best for her or the worst, you don’t find out until the end. This was definitely a story of new beginnings and it is certainly a real thought-provoking read with an interesting mix of characters and an unusual storyline. With lots of life lessons learned as the story finishes, it is a heart-warming and emotional book which will leave you pondering its words for a long time after.
This is the third book which I have read by this author, although I have to admit this book was certainly different as to what I was expecting. At the beginning, I felt sadness and confusion, not unlike Mrs Dixit. I liked her character and empathised with what she was going through. The book is told in three parts and as the story moves you begin to get to know the characters better. The writing is very descriptive, allowing you to live and feel the different characters, experiencing their emotions along with them. Mrs Dixit is obviously the main character, and whilst we are told her first name, we only really know her as Mrs Dixit. As the story moves on, Mrs Dixit’s character begins to change. She is finding new friends and new things to do waiting for her husband to wake up. She finds herself interacting with people who she wouldn’t normally have done. We are left waiting to find out whether Naveem wakes up until well into the story, riding the rollercoaster of emotions that Mrs Dixit is also on.
Naveem’s accident seems to have started a catalyst in his wife’s life. Whether this works out for the best for her or the worst, you don’t find out until the end. This was definitely a story of new beginnings and it is certainly a real thought-provoking read with an interesting mix of characters and an unusual storyline. With lots of life lessons learned as the story finishes, it is a heart-warming and emotional book which will leave you pondering its words for a long time after.
July 28, 2020
This was a slow burner of a book, at times perhaps a little bit long and drawn out, but overall the sort of book I really love because it is full of unusual personalities.
Mrs Dixit is suddenly on her own after her husband ends up in a coma following an accident in his taxi cab. The pair have led an extremely quiet life, estranged from family and relying on each other in world that doesn't always accept a marriage between different cultures.
The book is divided into however many days after the accident it is and the reader is left waiting, just like Mrs Dixit, wondering if and when her husband will ever wake from his coma.
During the wait Mrs (Wendy) Dixit embarks on a journey of self-discovery, ably assisted by her sister, her 6 year old nephew Henry, Magnus the plane spotter and upstairs neighbour Mrs Rampersad.
The book is thoughtful, funny (not necessarily always in a laugh out loud way, but with a very subtle and dry humour that resonates with the Dixits' lifestyle), sad, original and charming.
All sorts of strange goings on happen, sometimes engineered by Mrs Dixit herself, often as a result of Mrs Rampersad's eccentric reasoning and sometimes completely and unexpectedly out of Mrs Dixit's control. And control has been what has shaped her life for so long. Will she manage to embrace the differences life is throwing her way, the opportunities to experience more, engage with others in a more meaningful and sociable way, or will it frighten her into hiding?
The characters, from Cliff who owns the taxi company and West Country Len, one of the drivers, to Trinidad born Mrs Rampersad and her religious flyers, to the boy at the waxworks and the unbelievable actions of Mr Dixit's family, life and love and new beginnings abound, flowering in the unlikeliest of places and through some very bizarre dialogue!
There is suspicion, self-doubt, plenty of personal revelations and a cat burglar in Chomley to catch!
I loved this book so much that I plan on reading Drew Davies' debut novel The Shape of Us very soon as I find learning life lessons with stand out quirky characters immensely enjoyable.
This book comes highly recommended!
Mrs Dixit is suddenly on her own after her husband ends up in a coma following an accident in his taxi cab. The pair have led an extremely quiet life, estranged from family and relying on each other in world that doesn't always accept a marriage between different cultures.
The book is divided into however many days after the accident it is and the reader is left waiting, just like Mrs Dixit, wondering if and when her husband will ever wake from his coma.
During the wait Mrs (Wendy) Dixit embarks on a journey of self-discovery, ably assisted by her sister, her 6 year old nephew Henry, Magnus the plane spotter and upstairs neighbour Mrs Rampersad.
The book is thoughtful, funny (not necessarily always in a laugh out loud way, but with a very subtle and dry humour that resonates with the Dixits' lifestyle), sad, original and charming.
All sorts of strange goings on happen, sometimes engineered by Mrs Dixit herself, often as a result of Mrs Rampersad's eccentric reasoning and sometimes completely and unexpectedly out of Mrs Dixit's control. And control has been what has shaped her life for so long. Will she manage to embrace the differences life is throwing her way, the opportunities to experience more, engage with others in a more meaningful and sociable way, or will it frighten her into hiding?
The characters, from Cliff who owns the taxi company and West Country Len, one of the drivers, to Trinidad born Mrs Rampersad and her religious flyers, to the boy at the waxworks and the unbelievable actions of Mr Dixit's family, life and love and new beginnings abound, flowering in the unlikeliest of places and through some very bizarre dialogue!
There is suspicion, self-doubt, plenty of personal revelations and a cat burglar in Chomley to catch!
I loved this book so much that I plan on reading Drew Davies' debut novel The Shape of Us very soon as I find learning life lessons with stand out quirky characters immensely enjoyable.
This book comes highly recommended!
August 4, 2020
Not bad...
From the cover I was expecting a light, fluffy, Chick Lit read. This one was a lot deeper than I expected.
It did drag a bit and as a solid introvert I didn't always identify with the themes of loneliness and silence but I can appreciate their place in the story.
It is however a journey of self-discovery, forming connections, and finding one's self amidst uncertainty, guilt, and unexpected change.
Again, not bad but not exactly my cup of tea.
BLURB:
How long does a coma last?’ I ask.
‘Days, weeks, months?’ the nurse replies with a shrug, although her eyes are very kind.
‘But on average?’
She just smiles, unable to give me an answer.
Wendy’s life can be neatly divided into two: before and after.
Before her husband’s car accident, it was just the two of them. They never took the train at rush hour, and they avoided their noisy neighbour upstairs. Naveem devoted his spare time to vintage train models, and Wendy to re-reading the well-thumbed pages of her favourite books. It didn’t matter what others thought about their small, quiet life together – they were happy.
After the coma, Wendy barely recognises herself. When she’s not holding the love of her life’s hand, accompanied by the beep of the life-support machine, who is she? The nurse tells her to talk to Naveem – that he can still hear her – but she doesn’t have a single thing to say.
Suddenly Wendy can’t bear the silence. She needs something, anything, to talk to Naveem about. Suddenly she’s losing herself at fairgrounds packed with crowds and candyfloss, she’s at the airport, waiting for the whoosh of the planes as they take off, making friends with the neighbour she has spent over a decade avoiding.
Knowing that every breath her husband takes might be his last, Wendy has no choice but to try to carry on without him. Should she feel guilty about living while his life is on pause? And when – if – he wakes up, will he still love the woman she has become?
From the cover I was expecting a light, fluffy, Chick Lit read. This one was a lot deeper than I expected.
It did drag a bit and as a solid introvert I didn't always identify with the themes of loneliness and silence but I can appreciate their place in the story.
It is however a journey of self-discovery, forming connections, and finding one's self amidst uncertainty, guilt, and unexpected change.
Again, not bad but not exactly my cup of tea.
BLURB:
How long does a coma last?’ I ask.
‘Days, weeks, months?’ the nurse replies with a shrug, although her eyes are very kind.
‘But on average?’
She just smiles, unable to give me an answer.
Wendy’s life can be neatly divided into two: before and after.
Before her husband’s car accident, it was just the two of them. They never took the train at rush hour, and they avoided their noisy neighbour upstairs. Naveem devoted his spare time to vintage train models, and Wendy to re-reading the well-thumbed pages of her favourite books. It didn’t matter what others thought about their small, quiet life together – they were happy.
After the coma, Wendy barely recognises herself. When she’s not holding the love of her life’s hand, accompanied by the beep of the life-support machine, who is she? The nurse tells her to talk to Naveem – that he can still hear her – but she doesn’t have a single thing to say.
Suddenly Wendy can’t bear the silence. She needs something, anything, to talk to Naveem about. Suddenly she’s losing herself at fairgrounds packed with crowds and candyfloss, she’s at the airport, waiting for the whoosh of the planes as they take off, making friends with the neighbour she has spent over a decade avoiding.
Knowing that every breath her husband takes might be his last, Wendy has no choice but to try to carry on without him. Should she feel guilty about living while his life is on pause? And when – if – he wakes up, will he still love the woman she has become?
November 29, 2022
This was an interesting story, though definitely on the sad side of things. Despite the flavor of sorrow, I still enjoyed this story and found it interesting and engaging. Drew Davis is great at character development and I liked the characters he created here. I very much liked the way the story unfolded.
August 3, 2020
This book melted my heart. I loved the relationship Wendy had with her husband and how she went around trying to figure out what could have caused her husband’s accident. I liked seeing Wendy’s character grow throughout the story and become a bit more outspoken and independent.
Drew has a way with words that sucks the reader right in. I was rooting for Wendy’s husband’s health to get better as I turned the pages.. I wanted the story to have a happy ending!
Drew has a way with words that sucks the reader right in. I was rooting for Wendy’s husband’s health to get better as I turned the pages.. I wanted the story to have a happy ending!
July 28, 2020
Some of my favourite books feature a cast of oddball characters and you certainly get a handful of those in this quirky,funny,self discovery, mystery type novel. Welcome to Chomley, home to Naveem and Wendy Dixit. This couple like to keep very much to themselves, eschewing noise and chaos, living their lives through order and simplicity. Naveem has his love of model trains and bossa nova music outside of his job as a taxi driver. Wendy meanwhile is a cleanliness freak. Cocooned within their safe impenetrable bubble, the world is passing them by. That is until the day Naveem is involved in an accident whilst driving his cab, the result of which leaves him in a coma, fighting for his life.
For Wendy this accident throws up plenty of questions about the man she’s married to, a man you’d be forgiven for thinking she doesn’t really know. Her inability to communicate with him at his hospital bedside leads her to reluctantly open up her world to strangers and noise and step outside of her rigidly enforced parameters, often with surprising results. As she endeavours to shrug off her uppity nature, you will be cheering her all the way towards a brighter future. I couldn’t help feeling that on her journey to enlightenment Wendy was cautiously stepping from her black and white world into one that is vibrant and full of colour and I felt proud of her for having the courage to do so. She may even find she likes it. Will she uncover secrets about her husband that will surprise her? Possibly!
Upstairs neighbour Mrs Rampersad is a wonderfully eccentric character responsible for much of Wendy’s transformation and together they make a comic pair. God fearing and pamphlet waving and acting as temporary chauffeur, Mrs Rampersad accompanies Wendy on some hilarious escapades to discover the mystery behind the man that is Naveem. My favourite scenes are the ridiculous stake outs, providing much of the giggles in this gentle quirky read. Who knows, they may inadvertently catch the elusive Chomley cat burglar in the process!
I particularly liked the way the author provided backstories for Wendy, Mrs Rampersad and the other Mrs Dixit ( Naveem’s mother) to explain their feelings and behaviours, allowing the reader to better understand these characters. Exploring their fears and worries and habits illustrates how flawed we are as individuals, prompting empathy and maybe even recognition of parts of ourselves in these fictional people.
I loved how the shy socially awkward Mrs Dixit emerges from her shell over the course of the book, establishing a surprising connection with nephew Henry, and her always in a hurry younger sister. Characters like Wendy always make me feel sad so unexpectedly finding a friend in Mrs Rampersad is probably the most uplifting aspect of this novel. However there is an eclectic mix of characters who all add a splash of colour to the narrative. There’s fellow plane spotter Magnus, who bizarrely offers Wendy words of wisdom. Cliff, the owner of the taxi firm and fellow cabbie Len offer valuable insight into Naveem’s personality giving you a clearer overall picture of this quiet unassuming man. Whether they are wholly trustworthy individuals is up for debate.
This is a novel of self discovery and second chances. A reminder that if we are brave enough to embrace the world outside, interact with others on a meaningful level, then life can be truly wonderful. It’s also about loneliness and isolation and a sense of community. With or Without You might not be laugh out loud funny and the pace is more a trot than a canter but it kept me entertained from start to finish so why not see what you think?
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.
For Wendy this accident throws up plenty of questions about the man she’s married to, a man you’d be forgiven for thinking she doesn’t really know. Her inability to communicate with him at his hospital bedside leads her to reluctantly open up her world to strangers and noise and step outside of her rigidly enforced parameters, often with surprising results. As she endeavours to shrug off her uppity nature, you will be cheering her all the way towards a brighter future. I couldn’t help feeling that on her journey to enlightenment Wendy was cautiously stepping from her black and white world into one that is vibrant and full of colour and I felt proud of her for having the courage to do so. She may even find she likes it. Will she uncover secrets about her husband that will surprise her? Possibly!
Upstairs neighbour Mrs Rampersad is a wonderfully eccentric character responsible for much of Wendy’s transformation and together they make a comic pair. God fearing and pamphlet waving and acting as temporary chauffeur, Mrs Rampersad accompanies Wendy on some hilarious escapades to discover the mystery behind the man that is Naveem. My favourite scenes are the ridiculous stake outs, providing much of the giggles in this gentle quirky read. Who knows, they may inadvertently catch the elusive Chomley cat burglar in the process!
I particularly liked the way the author provided backstories for Wendy, Mrs Rampersad and the other Mrs Dixit ( Naveem’s mother) to explain their feelings and behaviours, allowing the reader to better understand these characters. Exploring their fears and worries and habits illustrates how flawed we are as individuals, prompting empathy and maybe even recognition of parts of ourselves in these fictional people.
I loved how the shy socially awkward Mrs Dixit emerges from her shell over the course of the book, establishing a surprising connection with nephew Henry, and her always in a hurry younger sister. Characters like Wendy always make me feel sad so unexpectedly finding a friend in Mrs Rampersad is probably the most uplifting aspect of this novel. However there is an eclectic mix of characters who all add a splash of colour to the narrative. There’s fellow plane spotter Magnus, who bizarrely offers Wendy words of wisdom. Cliff, the owner of the taxi firm and fellow cabbie Len offer valuable insight into Naveem’s personality giving you a clearer overall picture of this quiet unassuming man. Whether they are wholly trustworthy individuals is up for debate.
This is a novel of self discovery and second chances. A reminder that if we are brave enough to embrace the world outside, interact with others on a meaningful level, then life can be truly wonderful. It’s also about loneliness and isolation and a sense of community. With or Without You might not be laugh out loud funny and the pace is more a trot than a canter but it kept me entertained from start to finish so why not see what you think?
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.
July 31, 2020
Wendy and Naveem Dixit are like a well-oiled machine. They live their life as a devoted couple, rather than two individual people married to each other. To the outside world, their lives are quiet and predictable, set in their ways as they follow their daily routines. All is well until taxi driver, Naveem is involved in a car crash and ends up in a coma. Suddenly, Wendy's life takes on an uncertain direction as her husband fights for his life and she flounders in the unknown.
The world is full of people like Wendy and Naveem who blend into the background, getting on with their lives without drawing too much attention to themselves. I enjoyed how the author created them and the secondary characters, into such underwhelming people… which isn't a criticism because when dealing with a crisis, they come alive and pull together and offer support, as you'd expect. However, to outsiders, they're quirky, somewhat odd and mostly don't fit in within the definition of normal. Yet, just like everyone else, their time of need is just as fraught and dramatic.
With or Without You is a heart-wrenching novel bursting with intriguing characters. The mood is melancholic but broken up with light-hearted moments and witty dialogue, courtesy of Mrs Rampersad. As a reader, we're taken on an emotional journey. The beginning leaves you feeling as despondent as Wendy, coming to terms with her new normal but as time progresses, the mood ebbs and flows and ends happily. The overall message is touching and highlights the strength of friendship especially during times of need and emphasises the point that life can stray off course at any point in time.
This is my first Drew Davies novel and won't be my last. This is a well-thought-out and crafted story, giving pause for thought and reflection.
***arc generously received courtesy of Bookouture via NetGalley***
The world is full of people like Wendy and Naveem who blend into the background, getting on with their lives without drawing too much attention to themselves. I enjoyed how the author created them and the secondary characters, into such underwhelming people… which isn't a criticism because when dealing with a crisis, they come alive and pull together and offer support, as you'd expect. However, to outsiders, they're quirky, somewhat odd and mostly don't fit in within the definition of normal. Yet, just like everyone else, their time of need is just as fraught and dramatic.
With or Without You is a heart-wrenching novel bursting with intriguing characters. The mood is melancholic but broken up with light-hearted moments and witty dialogue, courtesy of Mrs Rampersad. As a reader, we're taken on an emotional journey. The beginning leaves you feeling as despondent as Wendy, coming to terms with her new normal but as time progresses, the mood ebbs and flows and ends happily. The overall message is touching and highlights the strength of friendship especially during times of need and emphasises the point that life can stray off course at any point in time.
This is my first Drew Davies novel and won't be my last. This is a well-thought-out and crafted story, giving pause for thought and reflection.
***arc generously received courtesy of Bookouture via NetGalley***
July 31, 2020
Married couple Wendy and Naveem Dixit lead quiet, ordinary lives in a London suburb until one day taxi-driver Naveem is badly injured in a road accident and ends up in hospital.
Wendy has always been a good and faithful, even a grateful wife. But now she finds she needs to deal with a whole host of unexpected challenges. These include a hostile mother-in-law whom she has managed to avoid, more or less, before - a sister who delights in slagging Wendy off - Naveem's boss and colleague who might or might not be what they seem - and managing financially while Naveem is off work, perhaps for good.
I enjoyed following Wendy as she embarked on a voyage of self-discovery, and I also enjoyed watching her develop a relationship with her bossy evangelical Christian neighbour Mrs Rampersad, who in the end turned out to be the best friend that nervous, reclusive Wendy has ever had.
I found this story engaging because all the central characters had journeys to make and because it was lovely to watch Wendy learn and grow. I won't give away the ending, but I will say that although this story is bittersweet and sometimes even alarming, I finished it with a smile on my face, and feeling happy that Wendy's life had now changed for the (much) better.
Sometimes, it takes a potential tragedy to find out who we really are and what we can achieve when faced with what look like impossible obstacles. I agree with some of the other reviewers that the novel took a while to get going, but this didn't spoil it for me. It's a gentle, easy read and I was impressed to find that a young male author could get inside the head of a middle-aged woman and write so convincingly from her point of view. The impressionist domestic details helped to make the story real and relatable for me.
Thank you to Bookouture for sending me an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Wendy has always been a good and faithful, even a grateful wife. But now she finds she needs to deal with a whole host of unexpected challenges. These include a hostile mother-in-law whom she has managed to avoid, more or less, before - a sister who delights in slagging Wendy off - Naveem's boss and colleague who might or might not be what they seem - and managing financially while Naveem is off work, perhaps for good.
I enjoyed following Wendy as she embarked on a voyage of self-discovery, and I also enjoyed watching her develop a relationship with her bossy evangelical Christian neighbour Mrs Rampersad, who in the end turned out to be the best friend that nervous, reclusive Wendy has ever had.
I found this story engaging because all the central characters had journeys to make and because it was lovely to watch Wendy learn and grow. I won't give away the ending, but I will say that although this story is bittersweet and sometimes even alarming, I finished it with a smile on my face, and feeling happy that Wendy's life had now changed for the (much) better.
Sometimes, it takes a potential tragedy to find out who we really are and what we can achieve when faced with what look like impossible obstacles. I agree with some of the other reviewers that the novel took a while to get going, but this didn't spoil it for me. It's a gentle, easy read and I was impressed to find that a young male author could get inside the head of a middle-aged woman and write so convincingly from her point of view. The impressionist domestic details helped to make the story real and relatable for me.
Thank you to Bookouture for sending me an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2020
“Mrs Dixit would think of all the times they sat next to each other, entirely self-contained: reading, watching a movie, lying in bed — such wasted opportunities.”
This beautiful novel has stolen my heart. It’s original, poignant, funny and written with an exquisite sensitivity that cuts to the quick.
When an accident leaves husband Naveem in a coma, 56 year-old Mrs Dixit is forced out of the comfortable bubble she’s lived in all her married life. For as long as she can remember it’s been just her and Naveem. He with his model trains. She with her books. The pair of them a self-sufficient unit. Now it’s just Mrs Dixit, and she’s lost, scared and confused.
Dutifully, she visits the hospital every day. The nurses tell her to talk to Naveem, but Mrs Dixit doesn’t know what to say. Theirs has always been a quiet, unspoken love. But now the silence is deafening.
Thrust into this strange reality, Mrs Dixit finds her ordinary life taking extraordinary turns. There’s a kidnapping, a stakeout, and a burglary. Unexpected alliances: with the scary woman upstairs, with a dotty, octagenarian plane spotter, with the daughter of the passenger killed in Naveem’s accident, and with her six year-old nephew, Henry.
Much of it is pure farce — and yes, I did laugh out loud — but it is also deeply moving. And Davies gets the balance just right.
I loved Mrs Dixit’s transformation from shy, timid, wife of Naveem, to boldly independent, feisty Wendy. She finds her voice, and boy, does she know how to use it! And I loved the beautifully delivered messages about life, love, family and friends: the only things that really matter.
Mike Gayle, watch out! There’s a new kid on the block.
This beautiful novel has stolen my heart. It’s original, poignant, funny and written with an exquisite sensitivity that cuts to the quick.
When an accident leaves husband Naveem in a coma, 56 year-old Mrs Dixit is forced out of the comfortable bubble she’s lived in all her married life. For as long as she can remember it’s been just her and Naveem. He with his model trains. She with her books. The pair of them a self-sufficient unit. Now it’s just Mrs Dixit, and she’s lost, scared and confused.
Dutifully, she visits the hospital every day. The nurses tell her to talk to Naveem, but Mrs Dixit doesn’t know what to say. Theirs has always been a quiet, unspoken love. But now the silence is deafening.
Thrust into this strange reality, Mrs Dixit finds her ordinary life taking extraordinary turns. There’s a kidnapping, a stakeout, and a burglary. Unexpected alliances: with the scary woman upstairs, with a dotty, octagenarian plane spotter, with the daughter of the passenger killed in Naveem’s accident, and with her six year-old nephew, Henry.
Much of it is pure farce — and yes, I did laugh out loud — but it is also deeply moving. And Davies gets the balance just right.
I loved Mrs Dixit’s transformation from shy, timid, wife of Naveem, to boldly independent, feisty Wendy. She finds her voice, and boy, does she know how to use it! And I loved the beautifully delivered messages about life, love, family and friends: the only things that really matter.
Mike Gayle, watch out! There’s a new kid on the block.
October 30, 2020
** Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for this review.
With or Without You follows Wendy, who’s tackling the possibility of a life alone as her husband Naveen is in a coma following a car accident. We bare witness to Wendy coping with the uncertainty of when, or even if, her husband will wake up.
It’s an interesting premise for a story especially as we see the strained relationship between Wendy and her mother-in-law who disapproves of their mixed-race marriage, and a neighbour she never would have grown close to previously. She finds herself spreading her wings a little by visiting places in London from her youth or trying out new experiences
However I didn’t find the story particularly enjoyable - it just felt a bit repetitive as Wendy continued to do things her husband wouldn’t approve of, then she’d feel guilty about it and speak meekly to him whilst he lay there unresponsive. It was almost as if it took a coma for her to realise she was in a controlling relationship where what was seen as acceptable for her to do was dictated by her husband. The ending was predictable and I found it a bit of a slog to get through
It really frustrated me that the characters weren’t referred to by their first names it was always “Mrs Dixit” (which got confusing as you had Wendy, and also Naveen’s mother both referred to as this) and Mrs Rampersad for example.
With or Without You follows Wendy, who’s tackling the possibility of a life alone as her husband Naveen is in a coma following a car accident. We bare witness to Wendy coping with the uncertainty of when, or even if, her husband will wake up.
It’s an interesting premise for a story especially as we see the strained relationship between Wendy and her mother-in-law who disapproves of their mixed-race marriage, and a neighbour she never would have grown close to previously. She finds herself spreading her wings a little by visiting places in London from her youth or trying out new experiences
However I didn’t find the story particularly enjoyable - it just felt a bit repetitive as Wendy continued to do things her husband wouldn’t approve of, then she’d feel guilty about it and speak meekly to him whilst he lay there unresponsive. It was almost as if it took a coma for her to realise she was in a controlling relationship where what was seen as acceptable for her to do was dictated by her husband. The ending was predictable and I found it a bit of a slog to get through
It really frustrated me that the characters weren’t referred to by their first names it was always “Mrs Dixit” (which got confusing as you had Wendy, and also Naveen’s mother both referred to as this) and Mrs Rampersad for example.
June 22, 2020
“‘How long does a coma last?’ I ask.‘Days, weeks, months?’The nurse replies with a shrug, although her eyes are very kind.
‘But on average?’She just smiles, unable to give me an answer.”
Wendy Dixit lives with her husband Naveem in a flat and they keep themselves pretty much to themselves. She has a sister who is rather critical and vaguely knows the lady living above who is Mrs Ramprasan. When Neveen has an accident in his taxi Mrs Dixit’s (as she is mostly known as) world changes as he is left in a coma. His family never had anything to do with them as they didn’t approve of his marriage. Wendy is advised to sit and talk to Naveem but she really doesn’t know what to say and feels uncomfortable doing so. Then the silence and the feeling of being hemmed in gets all too much and she craves noise and bustle. Mrs Ramprasan takes her to the edge of the airport to watch and feel the planes taking off and every bone in your body shaking with the vibration. A story of how things can change in the flicker of an eye and how you can be lost in what you thought was a familiar world. Of breaking barriers and making friends, of changing habits of a lifetime and looking at things with a new set of eyes. A very different read, a thought provoking and at times emotional one that left me with a smile.
‘But on average?’She just smiles, unable to give me an answer.”
Wendy Dixit lives with her husband Naveem in a flat and they keep themselves pretty much to themselves. She has a sister who is rather critical and vaguely knows the lady living above who is Mrs Ramprasan. When Neveen has an accident in his taxi Mrs Dixit’s (as she is mostly known as) world changes as he is left in a coma. His family never had anything to do with them as they didn’t approve of his marriage. Wendy is advised to sit and talk to Naveem but she really doesn’t know what to say and feels uncomfortable doing so. Then the silence and the feeling of being hemmed in gets all too much and she craves noise and bustle. Mrs Ramprasan takes her to the edge of the airport to watch and feel the planes taking off and every bone in your body shaking with the vibration. A story of how things can change in the flicker of an eye and how you can be lost in what you thought was a familiar world. Of breaking barriers and making friends, of changing habits of a lifetime and looking at things with a new set of eyes. A very different read, a thought provoking and at times emotional one that left me with a smile.
July 31, 2020
You have a happy marriage. You keep yourselves to yourselves. You love peace and quiet and than bad luck strikes. What do you do when something serious happens to your husband? You are totally lost and try to keep on living the way you did before.
But life as you knew it does not exist any more. You are forced to change and you often wonder how your husband would feel about it. What will happen when he comes home again? Will he accept the changes? Will he reject them? Maybe he will have changed too or maybe he will never regain consciousness …
No matter how long you know someone, share your life with them, people still manage to keep secrets. Sometimes you assume something to be true, but you could not have been more wrong …
This is a story about getting to know people better, standing up for yourself and seeing a different side of life.
There is a fair bit of humor in this story. I will keep in mind that there often is a big gap between what you think is true and the actual truth. Talking to each other is the only way to clear the air and avoid heartbreak. 4 stars
Thank you, Drew Davies and Bookouture
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
But life as you knew it does not exist any more. You are forced to change and you often wonder how your husband would feel about it. What will happen when he comes home again? Will he accept the changes? Will he reject them? Maybe he will have changed too or maybe he will never regain consciousness …
No matter how long you know someone, share your life with them, people still manage to keep secrets. Sometimes you assume something to be true, but you could not have been more wrong …
This is a story about getting to know people better, standing up for yourself and seeing a different side of life.
There is a fair bit of humor in this story. I will keep in mind that there often is a big gap between what you think is true and the actual truth. Talking to each other is the only way to clear the air and avoid heartbreak. 4 stars
Thank you, Drew Davies and Bookouture
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
July 16, 2020
Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is certainly a different concept of a love story. It is not just that it is a book about hope, friendship, dreams, multi-racial relationships and expectations of yourself and of others.
Mr and Mrs Dixit are a couple form very different backgrounds. They differ in age and race and live a quiet life, which revolves around them quietly enjoying solitude together. When Mr Dixit is involved in a car accident resulting in a coma, wife Wendy finds herself unable to understand what she should do or how to behave.
The characters are interesting and diverse. They lack likeability but they are interesting. The book is well written and has some surprises about expectations and friendship which I enjoyed very much.
Happy to recommend and award 4 stars.
This is certainly a different concept of a love story. It is not just that it is a book about hope, friendship, dreams, multi-racial relationships and expectations of yourself and of others.
Mr and Mrs Dixit are a couple form very different backgrounds. They differ in age and race and live a quiet life, which revolves around them quietly enjoying solitude together. When Mr Dixit is involved in a car accident resulting in a coma, wife Wendy finds herself unable to understand what she should do or how to behave.
The characters are interesting and diverse. They lack likeability but they are interesting. The book is well written and has some surprises about expectations and friendship which I enjoyed very much.
Happy to recommend and award 4 stars.
October 14, 2020
wow what a poignant book! I wasn't expecting this at all!!!! Warning this is not a typical chicklit book, don't expect frivolity or romance in this book. This book is really serious, but still beautiful, heart-breaking, heart-shaking, so lovely and also full of events that will make you stop breathing for a few seconds or minutes, this is a really good book by Drew Davies and i am so so happy that I have read it!!! I don't give it a 5 stars but "only" a 4 stars just because in my opinon this book might be a little bit too lengthy, it could have been a bit shorter and still be good. But all in all this is a brilliant book that will make you really appreciate your husband or significant other while there next to you!
December 30, 2020
I absolutely adore Drew Davies’ writing style. His stories are original, poignant and heartwarming and this one is no different. I really enjoyed the original perspectives in this book, showing insight into the challenges and love of an inter-racial marriage. There was a huge twist in the book which I could never have guessed. I’m glad the main characters, which I grew to adore, managed to maintain most of their integrity.
The characters were unique and quirky, and the plot well structured, with some light amongst the darkness. All of this kept me hooked on this book and I can’t wait to read more by this author
The characters were unique and quirky, and the plot well structured, with some light amongst the darkness. All of this kept me hooked on this book and I can’t wait to read more by this author
July 31, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture of the arc of with or without you by Drew Davies.
This follows Wendy’s life in which can be divided into two: before and after. Before her husband whom is called Naveem's, car accident, she was contended and proud about their small and quirky quiet life together. Then because and with her husband whose in coma, and with no idea of long a coma lasts... She is very lost and lonely and even ending up doing things she wouldnt usually do and befriends one of their neighbours which is actually the one in which she has tried to avoid for over 10 whole years...
4 stars
recommend
This follows Wendy’s life in which can be divided into two: before and after. Before her husband whom is called Naveem's, car accident, she was contended and proud about their small and quirky quiet life together. Then because and with her husband whose in coma, and with no idea of long a coma lasts... She is very lost and lonely and even ending up doing things she wouldnt usually do and befriends one of their neighbours which is actually the one in which she has tried to avoid for over 10 whole years...
4 stars
recommend
August 12, 2020
Well Drew has done it again! I love this guys style of writing. I do not want to spoil it for the next reader,so I am being cautious here. We follow the journey of Mr&Mrs Dixit,a quiet,,shy and self contained couple. So when Mr Dexit ends up in a coma as a result of an accident whilst driving his taxi,the story of their lives truly starts to unfold and be told. This story has many emotions running through it and laughter is certainly one of them. A beautifuly written heartwarming story, not to be missed.
July 26, 2020
I had high hopes for this book after reading the synopsis. A woman finding herself and trying to find happiness after her husband has an accident. I wanted to cheer her on and hope with her for her husbands recovery. Unfortunately I found myself bored. He book was terribly slow and then just seems to abruptly end without much resolution.
I was not a fan of the writing style. It was confusing at times talking about the older and younger Mrs. Dixit instead of using names.
I was not a fan of the writing style. It was confusing at times talking about the older and younger Mrs. Dixit instead of using names.
July 15, 2020
This was less than enthusiastic for me. Extremely slow moving. First 30% of the book was literally hard to focus because I felt like each ‘day’ was the same. Action was nil. I realize it was a heartwarming story and uplifting love moments, but the action in between didn’t keep my attention.
August 24, 2020
One dictionary definition of 'quirky' is: 'Unusual in especially an interesting or appealing way.' See also: 'Eccentric, idiosyncratic, unconventional & unorthodox.'
Lots of words (I love words) that can apply to this engaging, thought-provoking and moving tale of a marriage brought to its knees by an accident. One that leaves a husband in a coma and a wife unsure of what her life is about, or where it will go next.
I adored the author's debut, The Shape Of Us, and his latest did not disappoint. Dear Lily, his second, I will get to when I can. His writing style has an old world charm, married to an eye for the absurd and an ability to find humour in even the darkest of moments.
Wendy (Mrs Dixit Jnr) crept into my heart and made me want to reach through my Kindle and give her a hug. Fragile and lacking in confidence, she reflects on her years with husband, Naveem, the fractured relationship with his family, and whether what they had together amounts to very much.
'Naveem wouldn't have the nerve to commit a crime, He gets nervous when his library book return date is approaching.'
Throw into the mix the redoubtable neighbour Mrs Rampersad, an eccentric plane spotter with a patchy memory and some surreal scenes that made me giggle/gasp/flick back to read again, and you have a book so unique, so special, it will linger a long time. Oh, and Mrs Dixit's burgeoning relationship with nephew, Henry, provides a lot of chuckles.
'What are you doing here?' he asked, as if she was the fictional faun from Narnia having just hopped out of his wardrobe.
Yes, I did think it might end differently, but it was spot-on. Any minor niggle about U2 earworms has been forgiven… Highly recommended.
Lots of words (I love words) that can apply to this engaging, thought-provoking and moving tale of a marriage brought to its knees by an accident. One that leaves a husband in a coma and a wife unsure of what her life is about, or where it will go next.
I adored the author's debut, The Shape Of Us, and his latest did not disappoint. Dear Lily, his second, I will get to when I can. His writing style has an old world charm, married to an eye for the absurd and an ability to find humour in even the darkest of moments.
Wendy (Mrs Dixit Jnr) crept into my heart and made me want to reach through my Kindle and give her a hug. Fragile and lacking in confidence, she reflects on her years with husband, Naveem, the fractured relationship with his family, and whether what they had together amounts to very much.
'Naveem wouldn't have the nerve to commit a crime, He gets nervous when his library book return date is approaching.'
Throw into the mix the redoubtable neighbour Mrs Rampersad, an eccentric plane spotter with a patchy memory and some surreal scenes that made me giggle/gasp/flick back to read again, and you have a book so unique, so special, it will linger a long time. Oh, and Mrs Dixit's burgeoning relationship with nephew, Henry, provides a lot of chuckles.
'What are you doing here?' he asked, as if she was the fictional faun from Narnia having just hopped out of his wardrobe.
Yes, I did think it might end differently, but it was spot-on. Any minor niggle about U2 earworms has been forgiven… Highly recommended.
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