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A Matter of Life and Death
'The funniest book about death, loss, and angry peacocks you’ll read all year.' David Sodergren, bestselling author of 'The Forgotten Island' and 'Maggie's Grave'.'Utterly compelling.' BookMarkSix months ago, Tom Halliday left his job. Two days after that, his wife left him. Now, with his mother seriously ill, he is forced to return to his childhood home and rejoin the family he has worked to avoid for the past twenty years.As the weeks pass and his mother’s condition continues to worsen, secrets are revealed and longstanding grudges resurface within the Halliday home. But by re-examining their shared histories and the status of each tattered relationship, the family begins to reconnect in moving and unexpected ways, and Tom is finally able to make sense of the mess his life has become.From the author of Hunger for Life comes a smart, funny and emotionally raw novel about love, marriage, friendship, family, and the ties that bind – whether we want them to or not.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2021
57 people are currently reading
770 people want to read
About the author
Andy Marr
4 books1,170 followersAndy Marr was born and raised on the east coast of Scotland. After finishing a degree in History at the University of Edinburgh, he took a job in a bank, but he hated it, so he stopped and became a writer instead. He is the author of two acclaimed coming-of-age novels, the top-10 bestselling 'Hunger for Life' and the international bestseller 'A Matter of Life and Death', as well as 'Not MY Birthday!', a picture book for young children. His new novel, 'The Howdie's Apprentice', was released in November 2025.
When he is not writing in his favourite coffee shop, Andy enjoys reading, spending time with his wife and daughters, and writing short biographies about himself in the third person. Visit him online at www.andymarr.org and www.facebook.com/AndyTheActualAuthor
Praise for 'Hunger for Life' -
'A remarkable novel, with vibrant and deeply developed characters, taut and nuanced relationships, and simply lovely prose... A life-affirming and powerful read.'
Marya Hornbacher, Pulitzer-nominated author of 'Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia'
Praise for 'A Matter of Life and Death' -
'The funniest book about death, loss, and angry peacocks you’ll read all year.'
David Sodergren, bestselling author of 'Maggie's Grave' and 'The Haar'.
When he is not writing in his favourite coffee shop, Andy enjoys reading, spending time with his wife and daughters, and writing short biographies about himself in the third person. Visit him online at www.andymarr.org and www.facebook.com/AndyTheActualAuthor
Praise for 'Hunger for Life' -
'A remarkable novel, with vibrant and deeply developed characters, taut and nuanced relationships, and simply lovely prose... A life-affirming and powerful read.'
Marya Hornbacher, Pulitzer-nominated author of 'Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia'
Praise for 'A Matter of Life and Death' -
'The funniest book about death, loss, and angry peacocks you’ll read all year.'
David Sodergren, bestselling author of 'Maggie's Grave' and 'The Haar'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 24, 2025
I'm only rating this one because I'm married to the author's wife.
May 9, 2025
Tom Halliday’s life is on a downward spiral, he quit the job that he’s hated for years, and is spending his days on the sofa (drinking mainly), which in turn prompts his wife Lena to leave him. It’s clear that Tom is severely depressed, but how does he get himself out of this pit of despair? Well that seems very unlikely, as his sister Sophie has called him to say that their mother’s cancer has returned and the prognosis isn’t good.
Tom returns to the family home in Myreton near Edinburgh to offer his support. This isn’t an easy choice for him as he and his mother have always had a difficult relationship (and that’s putting it mildly). I won’t say anymore about the storyline other than it deals with marriage breakups, unemployment, sibling rivalry, strained relationships, terminal illness ( to mention a few) in other words it’s about all of our lives in one way or another!
This is a family with long memories - and even longer grievances, but overpowering all of that is love - love should win out at the end of the day, it’s just that it’s not always that easy. It’s buried deep down, so deep down they’ve forgotten it’s there, and they’ve certainly forgotten how to articulate it. Will Tom’s return change any of that? Well you’ll have to read it to find out, but I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy the journey.
This is really well written, with a fascinating insight into the family dynamics, it made me laugh, (loved Chris the peacock)! it made me cry, and I warn you to have some tissues to hand, I think you’ll need them - I did! A novel with ALL the emotions - well done Andy.
*Thank you to Andy Marr for a copy of ‘A Matter of Life and Death, I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
Tom returns to the family home in Myreton near Edinburgh to offer his support. This isn’t an easy choice for him as he and his mother have always had a difficult relationship (and that’s putting it mildly). I won’t say anymore about the storyline other than it deals with marriage breakups, unemployment, sibling rivalry, strained relationships, terminal illness ( to mention a few) in other words it’s about all of our lives in one way or another!
This is a family with long memories - and even longer grievances, but overpowering all of that is love - love should win out at the end of the day, it’s just that it’s not always that easy. It’s buried deep down, so deep down they’ve forgotten it’s there, and they’ve certainly forgotten how to articulate it. Will Tom’s return change any of that? Well you’ll have to read it to find out, but I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy the journey.
This is really well written, with a fascinating insight into the family dynamics, it made me laugh, (loved Chris the peacock)! it made me cry, and I warn you to have some tissues to hand, I think you’ll need them - I did! A novel with ALL the emotions - well done Andy.
*Thank you to Andy Marr for a copy of ‘A Matter of Life and Death, I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
October 5, 2022
I’m a mess! When I see true talent: I can only salute, then whistle and clap! Dear Andy Marr, this is my second waltz with your amazing writing. This book brought out so many complex feelings of mine!
Several times I laughed so hard and several minutes later I found myself dabbing my eyes!
Dysfunctional family relationships couldn’t be told so good! I can truly resonate with each of the characters.
Especially Tom, trying so hard to please everyone, suffering from recent breakup with wife, is summoned by his sister Sophie who informs him that their mother’s big C is back! Tom reluctantly returns back to Edinburgh to face his past, his friends and his problematic relationship with his mother.
I was expecting to dislike his mother but when I read about their shared past and her reasonings about her actions, I also learn to empathize with her.
We’re introduced to so many supportive characters who stole some chapters from main characters because they were so amazing! ( not only Emma and Mike, but the pub team were rising stars)
This book is honest, genuine, heartfelt read you shouldn’t miss! My emotions are everywhere!
I have to apologize to Andy for taking too long to read it. My writing gigs took extra time lately and I was about to collapse under my tbr avalanche. But I finally read it! That’s the best decision for weekend reads!
Special thanks to Andy Marr to provide me this arc copy! I’m looking forward to read your third work in near future!
Several times I laughed so hard and several minutes later I found myself dabbing my eyes!
Dysfunctional family relationships couldn’t be told so good! I can truly resonate with each of the characters.
Especially Tom, trying so hard to please everyone, suffering from recent breakup with wife, is summoned by his sister Sophie who informs him that their mother’s big C is back! Tom reluctantly returns back to Edinburgh to face his past, his friends and his problematic relationship with his mother.
I was expecting to dislike his mother but when I read about their shared past and her reasonings about her actions, I also learn to empathize with her.
We’re introduced to so many supportive characters who stole some chapters from main characters because they were so amazing! ( not only Emma and Mike, but the pub team were rising stars)
This book is honest, genuine, heartfelt read you shouldn’t miss! My emotions are everywhere!
I have to apologize to Andy for taking too long to read it. My writing gigs took extra time lately and I was about to collapse under my tbr avalanche. But I finally read it! That’s the best decision for weekend reads!
Special thanks to Andy Marr to provide me this arc copy! I’m looking forward to read your third work in near future!
October 28, 2021
A Matter of Life and Death by Andy Marr
Tom Halliday is not having a good day, week, month, year. In fact, he hated his career choice and finally quit his job six months ago, which prompted his wife to leave him, and now he can't get off the couch. But his mother's cancer is back and he's summoned home so off he goes to face things he's been putting a lid on for over twenty years. It turns out the entire family is stewing in a mess of secrets, resentments, and hurts, brought to a head by a dying parents and being all together in one place.
The story cuts deep. This family's problems won't be the same as the problems in every family but the underlying feelings will ring true. With three very different siblings and parents who kept decisions and feelings tamped down tight, a lot has been brewing between all five family members. But the story is also heavy on friendship, love, compassion, and the feeling of belonging to a family and to a circle of friends.
Despite the story tackling very serious subjects, there is humor in the tale. My favorite little rascal is Tom's young nephew. This story shows that even if it hurts, maybe going home isn't so bad, maybe knowing more of each person's story can change a lot of what we remember.
Published October 7, 2021
Thank you to Andy Marr for this ARC.
Tom Halliday is not having a good day, week, month, year. In fact, he hated his career choice and finally quit his job six months ago, which prompted his wife to leave him, and now he can't get off the couch. But his mother's cancer is back and he's summoned home so off he goes to face things he's been putting a lid on for over twenty years. It turns out the entire family is stewing in a mess of secrets, resentments, and hurts, brought to a head by a dying parents and being all together in one place.
The story cuts deep. This family's problems won't be the same as the problems in every family but the underlying feelings will ring true. With three very different siblings and parents who kept decisions and feelings tamped down tight, a lot has been brewing between all five family members. But the story is also heavy on friendship, love, compassion, and the feeling of belonging to a family and to a circle of friends.
Despite the story tackling very serious subjects, there is humor in the tale. My favorite little rascal is Tom's young nephew. This story shows that even if it hurts, maybe going home isn't so bad, maybe knowing more of each person's story can change a lot of what we remember.
Published October 7, 2021
Thank you to Andy Marr for this ARC.
November 20, 2022
Tom Halliday has seen better days. He’s been jobless and without direction for six months, his wife Lena left him, and his twin sister Sophie just called to tell him their mother’s cancer has returned and it’s terminal this time. To make matters worse, Sophie’s asked him to return with her to their parents’ home in Myreton to support them until their mother passes - a place he’s avoided for years due to his strained relationship with his mother, Lorraine.
I was immediately drawn into this family-centered story. It’s well-written, smart, relatable and so funny! Here’s where I think it really shines:
The characters. They’re all dysfunctional, yet so very human in how they cope with life. Tom is your classic ostrich. He buries his head in the sand to avoid pain and frequently uses humor to deflect vulnerability. Sophie, on the other hand, thrives on blunt honesty and sarcasm. Individually and together, these two made me laugh! Alternately, their douchey older brother Pete buries himself in his work and has almost no sense of humor, unlike his hilarious three-year-old son Crawford! I also loved Tom’s friendships with one-time school mates Emma and Mike. Both were fun and sweet in their own ways. There was a wealth of great characters!
The story. Everyone has regrets. Seeing Tom come to terms with his anger towards his dying mother for her past parenting decisions, and Lorraine seeing the way her choices made him feel, was simultaneously heartbreaking and cathartic. Tom recognizing how his subsequent choices harmed his marriage and family was also a nice arc. It sounds heavy, but it wasn’t. It was actually quite heartwarming. There’s a lot of emotional depth to this story.
The tone. On the surface, the premise sounds quite gloomy and depressing! It’s not at all. In reality, it’s a story with a lot of humor and warmth and more than a few truly touching and heartfelt moments. Of course death is sad, but there's also a lot of wonderful life in these pages. Marr skillfully balances the emotional tone, allowing for many laugh out loud moments, smiles and some tears along the way.
The setting. Myreton may be a fictitious town in Scotland, but it’s well visualized and I could feel its richly described atmosphere. From the Halliday home to the village bar … I wanted to visit all these places!
Overall, I lost myself in this story, these characters and this town and truly enjoyed my time spent with them. No major downsides. Pete's arc felt like it resolved a little too easily and neatly, and I'd hoped Tom’s heart would lead him in a different direction at the end, but you can’t have everything you want! It’s a wonderful story and I highly recommend it if you enjoy a blend of dysfunctional family drama with a healthy dose of humor.
Thank you to author, Andy Marr, for this copy to honestly review.
★★★★ ½
I was immediately drawn into this family-centered story. It’s well-written, smart, relatable and so funny! Here’s where I think it really shines:
The characters. They’re all dysfunctional, yet so very human in how they cope with life. Tom is your classic ostrich. He buries his head in the sand to avoid pain and frequently uses humor to deflect vulnerability. Sophie, on the other hand, thrives on blunt honesty and sarcasm. Individually and together, these two made me laugh! Alternately, their douchey older brother Pete buries himself in his work and has almost no sense of humor, unlike his hilarious three-year-old son Crawford! I also loved Tom’s friendships with one-time school mates Emma and Mike. Both were fun and sweet in their own ways. There was a wealth of great characters!
The story. Everyone has regrets. Seeing Tom come to terms with his anger towards his dying mother for her past parenting decisions, and Lorraine seeing the way her choices made him feel, was simultaneously heartbreaking and cathartic. Tom recognizing how his subsequent choices harmed his marriage and family was also a nice arc. It sounds heavy, but it wasn’t. It was actually quite heartwarming. There’s a lot of emotional depth to this story.
The tone. On the surface, the premise sounds quite gloomy and depressing! It’s not at all. In reality, it’s a story with a lot of humor and warmth and more than a few truly touching and heartfelt moments. Of course death is sad, but there's also a lot of wonderful life in these pages. Marr skillfully balances the emotional tone, allowing for many laugh out loud moments, smiles and some tears along the way.
The setting. Myreton may be a fictitious town in Scotland, but it’s well visualized and I could feel its richly described atmosphere. From the Halliday home to the village bar … I wanted to visit all these places!
Overall, I lost myself in this story, these characters and this town and truly enjoyed my time spent with them. No major downsides. Pete's arc felt like it resolved a little too easily and neatly, and I'd hoped Tom’s heart would lead him in a different direction at the end, but you can’t have everything you want! It’s a wonderful story and I highly recommend it if you enjoy a blend of dysfunctional family drama with a healthy dose of humor.
Thank you to author, Andy Marr, for this copy to honestly review.
★★★★ ½
November 8, 2022
While reading Andy Marr’s “A Matter of Life and Death” I pictured one of those holiday dysfunctional family films. A forced family get-together with funny one-liners and comedic antics.
In this case, it’s not a holiday that draws the Halliday family together; it’s the matriarch’s terminal cancer. Protagonist Tom Halliday has always had a difficult relationship with his mother. Tom is sensitive and his mother wasn’t always sensitive to his sensitivities. Furthermore, Tom’s personal life is a mess, with his wife leaving him and his career in chaos. Unaddressed issues with his brother add to the family dysfunction. So when Tom returns to his village and his childhood home, all the major themes of those dysfunctional family stories occur: secrets, resentments, grudges, and pain.
Marr is able to take a sad story and make it an enjoyable read. There’s a bird with a grudge, a toddler with karate skills, a group of pub devotees, and quirky Scottish villagers.
This is a beautiful read of healing and regrets.
I recommend it for when you want a touching read.
In this case, it’s not a holiday that draws the Halliday family together; it’s the matriarch’s terminal cancer. Protagonist Tom Halliday has always had a difficult relationship with his mother. Tom is sensitive and his mother wasn’t always sensitive to his sensitivities. Furthermore, Tom’s personal life is a mess, with his wife leaving him and his career in chaos. Unaddressed issues with his brother add to the family dysfunction. So when Tom returns to his village and his childhood home, all the major themes of those dysfunctional family stories occur: secrets, resentments, grudges, and pain.
Marr is able to take a sad story and make it an enjoyable read. There’s a bird with a grudge, a toddler with karate skills, a group of pub devotees, and quirky Scottish villagers.
This is a beautiful read of healing and regrets.
I recommend it for when you want a touching read.
May 1, 2022
I really like this book.
I really like the author’s style.
This is a story about family, friendships, illness, impending grief (many of us have been there) and the complexities of relationships (many of us have experienced this).
Most families have their quirks, secrets and struggles. Many families have the public façade of being loving and kind. We know this is not always the case, and it is the awkward moments between family members in this book - raw, harsh and often witty -that gives it its edge.
I often compared it to the ‘difficult-to-watch’ family dynamics in 1980s film ‘Ordinary People’, which, in my mind, is a masterpiece in showing distain through subtle actions rather by dialogue. I got the same from this book.
The author asserts ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ is entirely fiction. This is a surprise given the level of detail and insight into the subject matter.
If Andy Marr has not brought some personal experience to his story, it is a true testament to his storytelling.
I congratulate him.
I really like the author’s style.
This is a story about family, friendships, illness, impending grief (many of us have been there) and the complexities of relationships (many of us have experienced this).
Most families have their quirks, secrets and struggles. Many families have the public façade of being loving and kind. We know this is not always the case, and it is the awkward moments between family members in this book - raw, harsh and often witty -that gives it its edge.
I often compared it to the ‘difficult-to-watch’ family dynamics in 1980s film ‘Ordinary People’, which, in my mind, is a masterpiece in showing distain through subtle actions rather by dialogue. I got the same from this book.
The author asserts ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ is entirely fiction. This is a surprise given the level of detail and insight into the subject matter.
If Andy Marr has not brought some personal experience to his story, it is a true testament to his storytelling.
I congratulate him.
August 21, 2021
4.5 rounded up
The title is so apt - it’s exactly what this wonderful book is about and that cover! Chris the peacock in all his scary glory! Tom Halliday’s life is at a crossroad in fact he’s been stuck at a junction for a miserable six months since he split with his wife Lena. He gets a phone-call from his sister Sophie to say his mums cancer is back and it’s bad. He returns home to Edinburgh and his family/friends for an emotional few weeks.
What is so fantastic about this book is that yes, it’s a heartbreaking read in places as it literally makes me cry but it’s also utterly joyful. In places it’s extremely funny and some parts (Chris, his nephew Crawford for example) make me howl with laughter. The author seems to be able to engage right from the start with this blend of human emotions that equals true life. I love the way it’s written, the dialogue is great and there are some fantastic characters such as Tom, sister Sophie, friends Emma and Mike and the aforementioned Crawford. He’s a little sod, a nightmare child but utterly endearing and hilarious. Even though they make you cringe I can’t help but love Norrie, Merv and Gary from the pub, so annoying but absolute diamonds and very funny.
The relationship between Tom and his mother is difficult but her illness leads to reflection and the truth of confronting and accepting the past. Tom is sensitive, caring and a very likeable man, his mother is complex and this part of the novel is fascinating as the emotional dynamics play out. The book contains a number of issues like the value of friendship, honesty and grief.
Overall, if you can make someone laugh, cry, feel empathy and sadness for his mum, root for Tom and his pals and not want to put the book down then I think it’s job well done.
Thank you to Andy for my much appreciated copy, I loved it and got my fingers crossed for it’s success.
The title is so apt - it’s exactly what this wonderful book is about and that cover! Chris the peacock in all his scary glory! Tom Halliday’s life is at a crossroad in fact he’s been stuck at a junction for a miserable six months since he split with his wife Lena. He gets a phone-call from his sister Sophie to say his mums cancer is back and it’s bad. He returns home to Edinburgh and his family/friends for an emotional few weeks.
What is so fantastic about this book is that yes, it’s a heartbreaking read in places as it literally makes me cry but it’s also utterly joyful. In places it’s extremely funny and some parts (Chris, his nephew Crawford for example) make me howl with laughter. The author seems to be able to engage right from the start with this blend of human emotions that equals true life. I love the way it’s written, the dialogue is great and there are some fantastic characters such as Tom, sister Sophie, friends Emma and Mike and the aforementioned Crawford. He’s a little sod, a nightmare child but utterly endearing and hilarious. Even though they make you cringe I can’t help but love Norrie, Merv and Gary from the pub, so annoying but absolute diamonds and very funny.
The relationship between Tom and his mother is difficult but her illness leads to reflection and the truth of confronting and accepting the past. Tom is sensitive, caring and a very likeable man, his mother is complex and this part of the novel is fascinating as the emotional dynamics play out. The book contains a number of issues like the value of friendship, honesty and grief.
Overall, if you can make someone laugh, cry, feel empathy and sadness for his mum, root for Tom and his pals and not want to put the book down then I think it’s job well done.
Thank you to Andy for my much appreciated copy, I loved it and got my fingers crossed for it’s success.
October 13, 2021
Being honest >>>
I can never be completely objective about a few authors books >>>
Because my heart for
THEM runs deep!!!!
For example… don’t ever expect me to rate a Dave Eggers book low.
I’ve told Paul, I’d marry both he and his his wife Vendela Vida … if I could.
So… guess what >> I said I was going to be honest -
I love Andy Marr!!!
He, and the well-being of his family runs deep in my heart, too!!!
I read this book in August—four months ago ….
I didn’t rate it because ( truthfully)… there was only 1 sentence - that seriously bothered me…. but bothered me enough that it had me pause.
Sooo as good friends do… we speak with each other … share our concerns together … have differences at times ….
BUT… as true friends do … we SOLVE issues together.
I’m a friend for life to ANYONE— if you’ll have me:
I’m serious - I might loose it - flip out - make sad regretful mistakes -others might also - but I’m one who will always come back - with intention to strengthen our relationships if allowed!!!
So Andy was deeply ‘kind’ when I gave him my personal feedback about his one sentence I wished removed….. (the nerve of me)….but he heard me - agreed - and removed it before the final publication date.
Wow!!! Talk about a powerful experience exchange we had
‘together’…(yep, some authors feel like my family- Andy is one of them)….
Andy and I have shared some deeply painful similar experiences (loving a person more than life itself who suffered a serious eating disorder)….
Yep… I’m connected at the hip to Andy’s heart!
Sooo THIS PUBLISHED BOOK is NOW AN HONEST 5 stars!!!!
Why?
It’s funny; it’s heartfelt!
It’s Andy’s sophomore novel.
It’s smart and unflinchingly honest and ingeniously voiced.
It’s a family story - a combination of fierce and tender taking us on a journey of a struggling relationship between a son and his mother.
Daunting odds — to find a place called ‘home’…
It is at its core a love story… sometimes heartbreaking, but always a strong, quiet, and powerful look at the human heart!!
I love you Andy! Keep writing!!!
I can never be completely objective about a few authors books >>>
Because my heart for
THEM runs deep!!!!
For example… don’t ever expect me to rate a Dave Eggers book low.
I’ve told Paul, I’d marry both he and his his wife Vendela Vida … if I could.
So… guess what >> I said I was going to be honest -
I love Andy Marr!!!
He, and the well-being of his family runs deep in my heart, too!!!
I read this book in August—four months ago ….
I didn’t rate it because ( truthfully)… there was only 1 sentence - that seriously bothered me…. but bothered me enough that it had me pause.
Sooo as good friends do… we speak with each other … share our concerns together … have differences at times ….
BUT… as true friends do … we SOLVE issues together.
I’m a friend for life to ANYONE— if you’ll have me:
I’m serious - I might loose it - flip out - make sad regretful mistakes -others might also - but I’m one who will always come back - with intention to strengthen our relationships if allowed!!!
So Andy was deeply ‘kind’ when I gave him my personal feedback about his one sentence I wished removed….. (the nerve of me)….but he heard me - agreed - and removed it before the final publication date.
Wow!!! Talk about a powerful experience exchange we had
‘together’…(yep, some authors feel like my family- Andy is one of them)….
Andy and I have shared some deeply painful similar experiences (loving a person more than life itself who suffered a serious eating disorder)….
Yep… I’m connected at the hip to Andy’s heart!
Sooo THIS PUBLISHED BOOK is NOW AN HONEST 5 stars!!!!
Why?
It’s funny; it’s heartfelt!
It’s Andy’s sophomore novel.
It’s smart and unflinchingly honest and ingeniously voiced.
It’s a family story - a combination of fierce and tender taking us on a journey of a struggling relationship between a son and his mother.
Daunting odds — to find a place called ‘home’…
It is at its core a love story… sometimes heartbreaking, but always a strong, quiet, and powerful look at the human heart!!
I love you Andy! Keep writing!!!
October 4, 2022
If you like fiction that focuses on multigenerational families in a realistic way, like I do, then I enthusiastically recommend you read A Matter of Life and Death by Andy Marr. To have the best possible experience I also recommend you read the book "cold" without any preconceptions. However, if you insist on learning more about the book before you start reading then I suggest you check out the Goodreads reviews by Nilufer Ozmekik, Colin Baldwin, Michael A. McLellan, and MarilynW.
I will provide one little tease: There’s a point in the book where it almost made me cry, but then it changed gears and made me laugh. Brilliant writing by Andy Marr.
Enjoy!
I will provide one little tease: There’s a point in the book where it almost made me cry, but then it changed gears and made me laugh. Brilliant writing by Andy Marr.
Enjoy!
May 8, 2024
When family ties are tenuous at best, forcibly coming together under (mostly) one roof could create a make-or-break kind of situation. The three Halliday siblings are almost determinedly different. Brother the eldest has a picture-perfect family, but he doesn’t seem to notice. Twins, Tom and Sophie, share a closer bond, but are nothing alike. While the parents remain a united front, Mum undeniably has a unique relationship with each offspring.
Tom’s summons came at the bleakest point in his life. Work life stagnant and his wife left him, for a guy who is a bit of a douche-canoe. But this news is unavoidable and inescapable. He is on his way “home” for final days with a family member.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Matter of Life and Death. There were sniffles and smiles as I witnessed the Halliday drama unfold. Of course, a perpetually-pissed peacock is a phenomenal addition to practically any story. To me, this was an honest and raw and also a little sweet and a whole lot hopeful. However, I must confess, I did not see that ending coming. No doubt, I’ll be reading more from Mr. Marr and I’m looking forward to that.
Tom’s summons came at the bleakest point in his life. Work life stagnant and his wife left him, for a guy who is a bit of a douche-canoe. But this news is unavoidable and inescapable. He is on his way “home” for final days with a family member.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Matter of Life and Death. There were sniffles and smiles as I witnessed the Halliday drama unfold. Of course, a perpetually-pissed peacock is a phenomenal addition to practically any story. To me, this was an honest and raw and also a little sweet and a whole lot hopeful. However, I must confess, I did not see that ending coming. No doubt, I’ll be reading more from Mr. Marr and I’m looking forward to that.
October 17, 2022
Now that I have dried my eyes....
A Matter of Life and Death is just that. There is living in this book, there is dying in this book and all the messy things that go on in between. It's about a man, Tom, who is alive but not really living. It's about saying goodbye, making amends, moving on, loving someone you have issues with, friendship, connection, relationships, and new beginnings.
Tom is a mess at the beginning of the book. He quit his job and two days later his wife left him. Just when things can't get any worse for him, they do. He receives a phone call from his sister, Sophie, informing him that his mother's cancer is back and it's time to come home. Home means many things for people. It can be a place of warmth, resentments, love, memories, secrets, togetherness, and comfort. For others, like Tom, it is a place that has been avoided.
As Tom goes home, we are introduced to his siblings, his father, and his mother (who he calls by her first name). While he spends time with the mother he despised, they get the chance to talk- really talk to each other. Tom also gets the chance to spend time with his sister, Sophie and his brother Pete and his family. When not with his family, he gets to reconnect with his friend, Mike, and develop a friendship with Emma (from the author's book Hunger for Life).
Family dynamics are interesting, and this family had their own interesting family dynamic. We see (read) it play out in the pages. As they navigate each other and their individual and shared grief, we observe them connecting, laughing, crying, and realizing what is important.
This book deals with heavy subjects - cancer, dying, marital issues, and bullying. But there is also humor, lovely friendships, and growth. This book evoked emotion (I laughed, I cried) and was thought provoking. The power in this book is in relationships and growth. The characters felt real, and I could feel their pain seeping through the pages. I rooted for them and felt for them. Sometimes being put in an uncomfortable position/situation is the best way to grow (Just ask Tom’s brother, Pete).
Highly recommend.
Thank you to Andy Marr who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
A Matter of Life and Death is just that. There is living in this book, there is dying in this book and all the messy things that go on in between. It's about a man, Tom, who is alive but not really living. It's about saying goodbye, making amends, moving on, loving someone you have issues with, friendship, connection, relationships, and new beginnings.
Tom is a mess at the beginning of the book. He quit his job and two days later his wife left him. Just when things can't get any worse for him, they do. He receives a phone call from his sister, Sophie, informing him that his mother's cancer is back and it's time to come home. Home means many things for people. It can be a place of warmth, resentments, love, memories, secrets, togetherness, and comfort. For others, like Tom, it is a place that has been avoided.
As Tom goes home, we are introduced to his siblings, his father, and his mother (who he calls by her first name). While he spends time with the mother he despised, they get the chance to talk- really talk to each other. Tom also gets the chance to spend time with his sister, Sophie and his brother Pete and his family. When not with his family, he gets to reconnect with his friend, Mike, and develop a friendship with Emma (from the author's book Hunger for Life).
Family dynamics are interesting, and this family had their own interesting family dynamic. We see (read) it play out in the pages. As they navigate each other and their individual and shared grief, we observe them connecting, laughing, crying, and realizing what is important.
This book deals with heavy subjects - cancer, dying, marital issues, and bullying. But there is also humor, lovely friendships, and growth. This book evoked emotion (I laughed, I cried) and was thought provoking. The power in this book is in relationships and growth. The characters felt real, and I could feel their pain seeping through the pages. I rooted for them and felt for them. Sometimes being put in an uncomfortable position/situation is the best way to grow (Just ask Tom’s brother, Pete).
Highly recommend.
Thank you to Andy Marr who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
September 27, 2022
A really lovely book. So proud of you, Andrew x
September 25, 2025
There are No Gods on Earth
First time Tom set eyes on Lena he saw an Angel:
“She was like an angel straight from heaven, so beautiful that she took my breath away. I realised that I had never known true beauty until that moment”
In fact, more than an Angel, Tom saw a Goddess!!!😉
Tom, has it ever occurred to you that the moment you start looking at a woman like a Goddess, she’ll probably feel like a Goddess, and… even worse … act like a Goddess?!
And… a Goddess won’t see with good eyes an average nice flawed guy like you, will she?!
Problems, identity crisis,… are nothing but silly garbage at the eyes of a Goddess! A Goddess asks … wait… let me rephrase that… A Goddess demands nothing but the best, which, in practical human terms, means… you should instantly turn into a successful alpha male, the same way Gregor Samsa turned into a vermin…
So… my dear sweet Tom, never again treat a woman like a Goddess, or else you’ll have to embark on a journey that will inevitably drive you apart from whom you truly are, or … in case you’ll bravely chose to remain truthful to yourself, you’ll soon be losing your precious Lady Goddess…
Either ways… you’ll be losing!!!…
We’re all humans, for God’s sake!!!…
All in all, A Matter of Life and Death is a book about people:
Flawed creatures dealing with crisis and dramas — two indispensable tools for personal growth!
It’s a huge 5 from me!!! 👍🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👍
First time Tom set eyes on Lena he saw an Angel:
“She was like an angel straight from heaven, so beautiful that she took my breath away. I realised that I had never known true beauty until that moment”
In fact, more than an Angel, Tom saw a Goddess!!!😉
Tom, has it ever occurred to you that the moment you start looking at a woman like a Goddess, she’ll probably feel like a Goddess, and… even worse … act like a Goddess?!
And… a Goddess won’t see with good eyes an average nice flawed guy like you, will she?!
Problems, identity crisis,… are nothing but silly garbage at the eyes of a Goddess! A Goddess asks … wait… let me rephrase that… A Goddess demands nothing but the best, which, in practical human terms, means… you should instantly turn into a successful alpha male, the same way Gregor Samsa turned into a vermin…
So… my dear sweet Tom, never again treat a woman like a Goddess, or else you’ll have to embark on a journey that will inevitably drive you apart from whom you truly are, or … in case you’ll bravely chose to remain truthful to yourself, you’ll soon be losing your precious Lady Goddess…
Either ways… you’ll be losing!!!…
We’re all humans, for God’s sake!!!…
All in all, A Matter of Life and Death is a book about people:
Flawed creatures dealing with crisis and dramas — two indispensable tools for personal growth!
It’s a huge 5 from me!!! 👍🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👍
October 1, 2022
A Matter of Life and Death is a touching story about relationships; relationships between family, and between friends.
With his second novel, Andy Marr is proving himself to be a master at drawing interesting, relatable, and multi-dimensional characters. Characters who are unique, yet oddly familiar. There are no heroes here, no larger-than-life portrayals, and no ordinary people plunged into extraordinary circumstances. What this book does have is people like me, and perhaps like you. People facing real challenges. Art does imitate life, and there are both laughs and cries to be found in these pages. From a young man struggling to find his place in the world, to old friends drunkenly reconnecting in a Scottish pub, to a woman trying to pick up the pieces of her life after a long battle with mental illness, to a matriarch seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, these characters feel real. Oh, and let's not forget one scarred and grumpy old peacock.
A fast read, and an outstanding second effort. Well done!
With his second novel, Andy Marr is proving himself to be a master at drawing interesting, relatable, and multi-dimensional characters. Characters who are unique, yet oddly familiar. There are no heroes here, no larger-than-life portrayals, and no ordinary people plunged into extraordinary circumstances. What this book does have is people like me, and perhaps like you. People facing real challenges. Art does imitate life, and there are both laughs and cries to be found in these pages. From a young man struggling to find his place in the world, to old friends drunkenly reconnecting in a Scottish pub, to a woman trying to pick up the pieces of her life after a long battle with mental illness, to a matriarch seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, these characters feel real. Oh, and let's not forget one scarred and grumpy old peacock.
A fast read, and an outstanding second effort. Well done!
August 25, 2021
4,5 stars
I felt taken by the hand and placed smack in the middle of the main character's life where I stayed till the end of the book.
It's a book about friendship, and about loss. As with his first book the author lets you know exactly what can go on in your head and in your heart when you experience these. Written with humour, a little sarcasm and compassion. Although I guess I'm not really the author's target audience, I'm convinced everyone can get something out of this story.
Half a star less because I would have loved a slightly different ending.
I felt taken by the hand and placed smack in the middle of the main character's life where I stayed till the end of the book.
It's a book about friendship, and about loss. As with his first book the author lets you know exactly what can go on in your head and in your heart when you experience these. Written with humour, a little sarcasm and compassion. Although I guess I'm not really the author's target audience, I'm convinced everyone can get something out of this story.
Half a star less because I would have loved a slightly different ending.
November 13, 2022
4 Stars
September 25, 2021
First I would like to thank the Author Andy Marr,For a copy of his book to review.This read is a family story Tom splits from his wife, Fed up with his Job, his wife moved on with her life,Tom returns to Scotland to visit his family his parents sister and brother and his mum is dying of cancer.as most families theres issues.will he get to heal old wounds.This is an emotional read as well as Humour an enjoyable read.
August 12, 2021
Without doubt one of my 2021 favourite read’s so far, so much so as soon as I finished the last word I was messaging the author pleading for a follow up book
In basic terms the book follows Tom as he returns home to Scotland to be with his family as his Mum succumbs to cancer, he has split from his wife, lost his job and is in pretty poor shape….he doesn’t always see eye to eye with his brother either but is close to his Sister ( a character in her own right)
Sounds hard going? Well at times it is upsetting yes but also it is joyful, funny, emotive, challenging, insightful and for want of a better word enjoyable, so many subjects are covered, so many past wrongs dealt with and so many friendships rekindled, life experiences are there a plenty and I found myself urging the various characters on in their quests throughout the story
The narrative was sharp and punchy and almost diary like in it’s telling and I felt was being told for me
Honestly, I loved it, even Christopher the wayward cock was ace 😊 ( and now the cover makes sense ) and The family and others featured will stay with me for a long time
Superb
10/10
5 Stars
In basic terms the book follows Tom as he returns home to Scotland to be with his family as his Mum succumbs to cancer, he has split from his wife, lost his job and is in pretty poor shape….he doesn’t always see eye to eye with his brother either but is close to his Sister ( a character in her own right)
Sounds hard going? Well at times it is upsetting yes but also it is joyful, funny, emotive, challenging, insightful and for want of a better word enjoyable, so many subjects are covered, so many past wrongs dealt with and so many friendships rekindled, life experiences are there a plenty and I found myself urging the various characters on in their quests throughout the story
The narrative was sharp and punchy and almost diary like in it’s telling and I felt was being told for me
Honestly, I loved it, even Christopher the wayward cock was ace 😊 ( and now the cover makes sense ) and The family and others featured will stay with me for a long time
Superb
10/10
5 Stars
July 20, 2022
I enjoyed this sometimes intense book and our hero Tom's journey.
We meet him moping in his London flat, left his job, his wife left him and his mum's dying at home near Edinburg. Going home to be with his mum and family while she is dying is sometimes a difficult read, especially as it is sometimes intense. Tom's mum reminds me a lot of my own mum, which is mostlly why I found this book often challenging. Practical, trying to raise independent thinking children, but without visible love. No cuddles, no 'I love yous' and being sent off to a horrible boarding school he hates. All of these were my own experience and more.
But Andy handles the story well. Wondering if there will be resolution in the end, I was a bit disappointed in the needless death of the resident fowl by Tom's hand and the very ending, which did not work as well as it could have in my eye. But well done overall.
We meet him moping in his London flat, left his job, his wife left him and his mum's dying at home near Edinburg. Going home to be with his mum and family while she is dying is sometimes a difficult read, especially as it is sometimes intense. Tom's mum reminds me a lot of my own mum, which is mostlly why I found this book often challenging. Practical, trying to raise independent thinking children, but without visible love. No cuddles, no 'I love yous' and being sent off to a horrible boarding school he hates. All of these were my own experience and more.
But Andy handles the story well. Wondering if there will be resolution in the end, I was a bit disappointed in the needless death of the resident fowl by Tom's hand and the very ending, which did not work as well as it could have in my eye. But well done overall.
January 28, 2023
I ❤️ this book so very much. Don’t know how I stumbled upon it; however, I am filled with gratitude that I did. It is equal parts heart breaking and comical. Tom’s sensitivity and ultimate ability to no longer see himself as a victim made him such an endearing hero. It is an absolutely epic dysfunctional family tale. This easily went to the top of my favourite books of 2021.
July 11, 2024
Grudges and Other Health Risks
Tom Halliday is having a life crisis. He quit his soul crushing job and lost his wife to the guy he loves to hate from that self-same job. To put the icing on the cake his twin sister calls him and tells him that he needs to plan to spend the next indefinite amount of time in Myreton, their mother’s cancer has returned and she has refused treatment.
Already barely able to leave the sofa from the depression he has fallen into, Tom is less than thrilled about returning to his family home. He calls his mother ‘Loraine’ and his sister jokes that she is an “old cow” knowing how much Tom resents his mother. Still, she is his mother and she is dying and Tom has no idea how to cope with his feelings.
Coming home meant old memories and old friends, some good and some not good at all. Yet some wounds untended can fester and whether or not Tom knows it, he has some old sores to be plastered.
I am not eloquent enough to give this book it’s due, because somehow Andy Marr wrote a story about everyone’s real life… the same, yet dramas each unique to our own story. Maybe it was just me that saw multiple parts of my own life in A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, but Mr. Marr did a masterful job of letting us into Tom’s head. Each and every character in the story was so vivid I could see them, and yet the background was barely colored in shades of gray. The places were just stages where we would see into each character and how they became who they are now.
Don’t believe this was simply maudlin drama, because it was chocked full of life and humor. Real life is filled with the joy and sadness that comes with loving the important people in your life. This felt like real life and I think that is the greatest compliment I can give to a book. There’s nothing naughty in here except for a spicy word or two. Five stars.
Tom Halliday is having a life crisis. He quit his soul crushing job and lost his wife to the guy he loves to hate from that self-same job. To put the icing on the cake his twin sister calls him and tells him that he needs to plan to spend the next indefinite amount of time in Myreton, their mother’s cancer has returned and she has refused treatment.
Already barely able to leave the sofa from the depression he has fallen into, Tom is less than thrilled about returning to his family home. He calls his mother ‘Loraine’ and his sister jokes that she is an “old cow” knowing how much Tom resents his mother. Still, she is his mother and she is dying and Tom has no idea how to cope with his feelings.
Coming home meant old memories and old friends, some good and some not good at all. Yet some wounds untended can fester and whether or not Tom knows it, he has some old sores to be plastered.
I am not eloquent enough to give this book it’s due, because somehow Andy Marr wrote a story about everyone’s real life… the same, yet dramas each unique to our own story. Maybe it was just me that saw multiple parts of my own life in A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, but Mr. Marr did a masterful job of letting us into Tom’s head. Each and every character in the story was so vivid I could see them, and yet the background was barely colored in shades of gray. The places were just stages where we would see into each character and how they became who they are now.
Don’t believe this was simply maudlin drama, because it was chocked full of life and humor. Real life is filled with the joy and sadness that comes with loving the important people in your life. This felt like real life and I think that is the greatest compliment I can give to a book. There’s nothing naughty in here except for a spicy word or two. Five stars.
October 28, 2022
A powerfully written story about a mother who is dying of cancer and how her husband and three children deal with her final months. There is family dysfunction and drama along with tensions between work-life balance and relationships.
The character development created a warm space in my heart and I was constantly cheering on each person to overcome the real and imagined obstacles they were facing.
Poignant, emotional, raw, and very real experience. Andy Marr does a terrific job pulling readers into the story which creates a fast paced read.
The character development created a warm space in my heart and I was constantly cheering on each person to overcome the real and imagined obstacles they were facing.
Poignant, emotional, raw, and very real experience. Andy Marr does a terrific job pulling readers into the story which creates a fast paced read.
December 19, 2023
A Matter of Life and Death is an incredible book about love, marriage, friendship, family "and the ties that bind – whether we want them to or not."
Tom Halliday's family is utterly dysfunctional ... but does a family exist that isn't dysfunctional?? A Matter of Life and Death has many funny parts. It also has many sad parts. Best of all, it touched my heart and I won't forget it any time soon.
Tom Halliday's family is utterly dysfunctional ... but does a family exist that isn't dysfunctional?? A Matter of Life and Death has many funny parts. It also has many sad parts. Best of all, it touched my heart and I won't forget it any time soon.
October 22, 2024
I read the 2021 Kindle edition, but it had the same photo on the front as the paperback shown on Goodreads. Just thought I should clarify that. Especially since certain sections will be referred to in the review. (Cute cover by the way.)
Like Mr. Marr's first book, the male protagonist in this novel is the narrator of the story. Tom Halliday is 35 years old, resides in London, is separated from his wife, and has lost his direction in life. After working in the banking industry for several years, he quits his job because he hates it. He wants to do something he loves, but hasn't found what that is yet. (The author briefly mentions Tom considering writing a book.) Tom's wife is Lena and she's also in the banking industry - which is how they first meet and is explained by the author in fine form in the second chapter.
Tom's twin sister Sophie contacts him about their mother's failing health and tells him he needs to go to Myreton because she's not expected to live much longer. Tom is surprised to hear this news because she's fought cancer before and survived. It's important to note here that Tom's relationship with his mother is strained. But he does as Sophie tells him and travels home to stay with family until his mother's battle is over.
This book made me laugh and cry. If you've lost someone close to cancer, then keep the tissues handy. As for the laughter, the French onion soup story told by Sophie added great humor IMO.
The author introduces the reader to new characters (Tom's family, Chris the peacock, the hens, Mike & Amy, and Ms. Bates) and also brings back some characters from the first book. The most interesting one being Daryll Cockburn - the bully from "Hunger For Life" that James tackled as a kid when Daryll threw something at Emma. My favorite character though is Tom's nephew Crawford.
When I started this book, I couldn't put it down and thought it was a solid five stars until I reached Chapter 7 where the narrator started trash talking the late American actor John Wayne:
"Christ, he sounds like he's concussed. How the hell did that man win two Oscars?"
When I relayed this information to my husband he said, "The author's Scottish, right? Well... give him a pass because he doesn't know any better."
This is truly a good story that explores challenging relationships between a mother and her grown children, a young father (Pete) and his family, and Tom's renewed friendships with Mike and Emma from primary school. The only things I didn't like was how the author left the reader wondering what career direction Tom was considering and what actually does happen with Lena. The author doesn't give a clue on the former, but addresses the latter at the end of the book. (Even though I didn't like his decision on this, I respect how he handled it.)
Time to end on a good (and hopefully humorous) note. I don't know who assists Mr. Marr with his research, but like Scottish actor Sean Connery, the Duke only won one Oscar - not two. The difference being Mr. Connery's award was for Best Supporting Actor while John Wayne won for Best Actor. But unlike Tom Halliday, we like most of the Duke's work. And we also like Mr. Connery's films - especially "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade".
Overall, it's a very good story and I'm looking forward to Mr. Marr's next book.
Like Mr. Marr's first book, the male protagonist in this novel is the narrator of the story. Tom Halliday is 35 years old, resides in London, is separated from his wife, and has lost his direction in life. After working in the banking industry for several years, he quits his job because he hates it. He wants to do something he loves, but hasn't found what that is yet. (The author briefly mentions Tom considering writing a book.) Tom's wife is Lena and she's also in the banking industry - which is how they first meet and is explained by the author in fine form in the second chapter.
Tom's twin sister Sophie contacts him about their mother's failing health and tells him he needs to go to Myreton because she's not expected to live much longer. Tom is surprised to hear this news because she's fought cancer before and survived. It's important to note here that Tom's relationship with his mother is strained. But he does as Sophie tells him and travels home to stay with family until his mother's battle is over.
This book made me laugh and cry. If you've lost someone close to cancer, then keep the tissues handy. As for the laughter, the French onion soup story told by Sophie added great humor IMO.
The author introduces the reader to new characters (Tom's family, Chris the peacock, the hens, Mike & Amy, and Ms. Bates) and also brings back some characters from the first book. The most interesting one being Daryll Cockburn - the bully from "Hunger For Life" that James tackled as a kid when Daryll threw something at Emma. My favorite character though is Tom's nephew Crawford.
When I started this book, I couldn't put it down and thought it was a solid five stars until I reached Chapter 7 where the narrator started trash talking the late American actor John Wayne:
"Christ, he sounds like he's concussed. How the hell did that man win two Oscars?"
When I relayed this information to my husband he said, "The author's Scottish, right? Well... give him a pass because he doesn't know any better."
This is truly a good story that explores challenging relationships between a mother and her grown children, a young father (Pete) and his family, and Tom's renewed friendships with Mike and Emma from primary school. The only things I didn't like was how the author left the reader wondering what career direction Tom was considering and what actually does happen with Lena. The author doesn't give a clue on the former, but addresses the latter at the end of the book. (Even though I didn't like his decision on this, I respect how he handled it.)
Time to end on a good (and hopefully humorous) note. I don't know who assists Mr. Marr with his research, but like Scottish actor Sean Connery, the Duke only won one Oscar - not two. The difference being Mr. Connery's award was for Best Supporting Actor while John Wayne won for Best Actor. But unlike Tom Halliday, we like most of the Duke's work. And we also like Mr. Connery's films - especially "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade".
Overall, it's a very good story and I'm looking forward to Mr. Marr's next book.
October 11, 2022
Family - good and bad.
This is a story about the complexities of life and death. A dysfunctional family comes together to spend time with their dying mother/wife. I thought the character development was good and parts were realistic.
This is a story about the complexities of life and death. A dysfunctional family comes together to spend time with their dying mother/wife. I thought the character development was good and parts were realistic.
February 6, 2022
The family matriarch is dying and her three children, Pete and fraternal twins Tom and Sophie, return home to be with their mother and help their father. Upon getting together past tensions that existed when the children were small resurface. This sets up a tense and comical situation. I do not know if the author thought of the movie “Psycho“ to name one of the characters, a difficult and skinny lady: Norma Bates, which I found hilarious. The book is both funny and sentimental as the story is told by one of the fraternal twins, Tom, in the first person. In addition to the family interactions there are some very good interactions with friends that Tom has not seen in quite some time There is also some passages the illustrate life in a small town in Scotland.
I found the book quite enjoyable and a refreshing change of pace from mysteries and heavy fiction. Not to say that the plot was fluffy, on the contrary it has some insightful comments about the complexity of family interactions. The author does a wonderful job of handling the dialogue with sensitivity and humor. I absolutely love the character of Sophie. I am planning on reading his other book
I found the book quite enjoyable and a refreshing change of pace from mysteries and heavy fiction. Not to say that the plot was fluffy, on the contrary it has some insightful comments about the complexity of family interactions. The author does a wonderful job of handling the dialogue with sensitivity and humor. I absolutely love the character of Sophie. I am planning on reading his other book
July 27, 2021
A melancholy and thoroughly moving portrait of a family in turmoil. Marr once again finds humour amongst the darkness, making this the funniest book about death, loss, and angry peacocks that you’ll read all year.
June 29, 2024
Beautiful story, simple, heartwarming. Don't believe for a second you will have a laugh with this one. You will, but it will also probably jerk a tear, or two.
You will also find a very honest review written by the guy married to the author's wife. You don't want to miss it.
You will also find a very honest review written by the guy married to the author's wife. You don't want to miss it.
March 4, 2022
This is a book that does what most people would think impossible: take a guy who is so down on his luck that he's at the bottom of the barrel trying to look up but can't because the way his luck goes, he'd get a sliver in his eyeball if he tried, add in a job he couldn't stand and left, a wife who's had enough and waves bye-bye, and a close relative with a reoccuring cancer diagnosis - take all of those ingredients, stir, and still come up with a writing style that manages to make you shed a tear and then laugh until the tears roll down your face.
Is this a roller coaster you should get on to? Absolutely. Will you want the ride to end? Absolutely not.
The main character of all of the above drama is poor Tom Halliday. Leaving a job he hated resulted in his wife leaving him lying on the couch, and 6 months after, he's pretty much still lying on that couch. A call telsl him his mother's cancer has come back is just another notch in his misery.
Off Tom goes, heading back home to Scotland, where traditionally feelings are not acknowledged, never mind shared, to spend "quality" time with his seriously ill mother (whom he has rather despised all his life), and where he must also deal with siblings, their children, and all the pent-up feelings all of them have squashed for decades. Is an explosion bound to happen? Maybe.
This is a very well-written book and one you will remember for years. All the feels, and I do mean ALL the feels.
Is this a roller coaster you should get on to? Absolutely. Will you want the ride to end? Absolutely not.
The main character of all of the above drama is poor Tom Halliday. Leaving a job he hated resulted in his wife leaving him lying on the couch, and 6 months after, he's pretty much still lying on that couch. A call telsl him his mother's cancer has come back is just another notch in his misery.
Off Tom goes, heading back home to Scotland, where traditionally feelings are not acknowledged, never mind shared, to spend "quality" time with his seriously ill mother (whom he has rather despised all his life), and where he must also deal with siblings, their children, and all the pent-up feelings all of them have squashed for decades. Is an explosion bound to happen? Maybe.
This is a very well-written book and one you will remember for years. All the feels, and I do mean ALL the feels.
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