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Regrets of the Dying: Stories and Wisdom That Remind Us How to Live
A powerful, moving and hopeful book exploring what people regret most when they are dying and how this can help us lead a better life.
If you were told you were going to die tomorrow, what would you regret?
Ten years ago, without time to think or prepare, Georgina Scull ruptured internally. The doctors told her she could have died and, as Georgina recovered, she began to consider the life she had led and what she would have left behind.
Paralysed by a fear of wasting what seemed like precious time but also fully ready to learn how to spend her second chance, Georgina set out to meet others who had faced their own mortality or had the end in sight.
The people she met taught her what it feels like to know you're running out of time, what tends to stays with you, what you should let go of, what everyone wishes they'd done differently and what it means to have a life well-lived.
Regrets of the Dying is a powerful and hopeful meditation on life and what really matters in the end.
If you were told you were going to die tomorrow, what would you regret?
Ten years ago, without time to think or prepare, Georgina Scull ruptured internally. The doctors told her she could have died and, as Georgina recovered, she began to consider the life she had led and what she would have left behind.
Paralysed by a fear of wasting what seemed like precious time but also fully ready to learn how to spend her second chance, Georgina set out to meet others who had faced their own mortality or had the end in sight.
The people she met taught her what it feels like to know you're running out of time, what tends to stays with you, what you should let go of, what everyone wishes they'd done differently and what it means to have a life well-lived.
Regrets of the Dying is a powerful and hopeful meditation on life and what really matters in the end.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published April 14, 2022
63 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
About the author
Georgina Scull
1 book13 followersI was born in Central London, and now live in Cambridge, England.
I love listening to strangers, and telling stories using verbatim content. I also love walking. And tea.
My debut book Regrets of the Dying will be out in 2022, April 14 (UK) / May 4 (US, Canada, Australia and NZ).
I love listening to strangers, and telling stories using verbatim content. I also love walking. And tea.
My debut book Regrets of the Dying will be out in 2022, April 14 (UK) / May 4 (US, Canada, Australia and NZ).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 10, 2022
(2.5) A medical crisis during pregnancy that had her minutes from death was a wake-up call for Scull, leading her to rethink whether the life she was living was the one she wanted. She spent the next decade interviewing people in her New Zealand and the UK about what they learned when facing death. Some of the pieces are like oral histories (with one reprinted from a blog), while others involve more of an imagining of the protagonist’s past and current state of mind. Each is given a headline that encapsulates a threat to contentment, such as “Not Having a Good Work–Life Balance” and “Not Following Your Gut Instinct.” Most of her subjects are elderly or terminally ill. She also speaks to two chaplains, one a secular humanist working in a hospital and the other an Anglican priest based at a hospice, who recount some of the regrets they hear about through patients’ stories.
Recurring features are not spending enough time with family and staying too long in loveless or unequal relationships. Two accounts that particularly struck me were Anthea’s, about the tanning bed addiction that gave her melanoma, and Millicent’s, guilty that she never went to the police about a murder she witnessed as a teenager in the 1930s (with a NZ family situation that sounds awfully like Janet Frame’s). Scull closes with 10 things she’s learned, such as not to let others’ expectations guide your life and to appreciate the everyday. These are readable narratives, capably captured, but there isn’t much here that rises above cliché.
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
Recurring features are not spending enough time with family and staying too long in loveless or unequal relationships. Two accounts that particularly struck me were Anthea’s, about the tanning bed addiction that gave her melanoma, and Millicent’s, guilty that she never went to the police about a murder she witnessed as a teenager in the 1930s (with a NZ family situation that sounds awfully like Janet Frame’s). Scull closes with 10 things she’s learned, such as not to let others’ expectations guide your life and to appreciate the everyday. These are readable narratives, capably captured, but there isn’t much here that rises above cliché.
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
June 24, 2022
Regrets of the Dying does what it says on the tin. Georgina Scull talks to the elderly and terminally ill to ask about whether they live with regrets, or whether they’d live their lives differently if they had it over again.
Currently at a crossroads in my own life, Regrets of the Dying gave me food for thought, and moments to ponder, rather than any “Eureka”-type moments. It helped me to stop & think about the decisions I’m making, whether they’re the right ones, and most importantly whether I’m making the right decisions for me.
The biggest thing I’ve taken from it is this quote: “For some people, life is all about planning for the future, they don’t actually live in the present.” At 45 years old, I find myself thinking that I need to get on with all that travelling I want to do because before I know it, I’ll be 60, then 70, then 80. And I don’t want to look back on my life & realise I never did all that stuff I wanted to do. Don’t miss what’s in front of you. Don’t miss the reasons to be happy.
A well researched, well written book about not missing out on the simplest of things: living.
Currently at a crossroads in my own life, Regrets of the Dying gave me food for thought, and moments to ponder, rather than any “Eureka”-type moments. It helped me to stop & think about the decisions I’m making, whether they’re the right ones, and most importantly whether I’m making the right decisions for me.
The biggest thing I’ve taken from it is this quote: “For some people, life is all about planning for the future, they don’t actually live in the present.” At 45 years old, I find myself thinking that I need to get on with all that travelling I want to do because before I know it, I’ll be 60, then 70, then 80. And I don’t want to look back on my life & realise I never did all that stuff I wanted to do. Don’t miss what’s in front of you. Don’t miss the reasons to be happy.
A well researched, well written book about not missing out on the simplest of things: living.
May 19, 2022
This was difficult to read yet incredibly thought provoking and humorous at times too!
I think bringing how short our life is too the forefront of our mind will allow us to make different decisions, to not sweat the small stuff, to say yes to that trip or opportunity.
I had been telling myself “when I’m 40 I’ll take myself on a solo wellness retreat” this book made me book one now at age 30, telling myself - what am I waiting for? Why in 10 years? Why not now?
This isn’t a book about saying yes to everything because life is short, it’s actually about setting boundaries, not allowing people to treat you unfairly, living a life that is true to yourself, so that you don’t have a ton of regrets when the end of your life approaches, whether you live a long one or not so much.
Recommend!
I think bringing how short our life is too the forefront of our mind will allow us to make different decisions, to not sweat the small stuff, to say yes to that trip or opportunity.
I had been telling myself “when I’m 40 I’ll take myself on a solo wellness retreat” this book made me book one now at age 30, telling myself - what am I waiting for? Why in 10 years? Why not now?
This isn’t a book about saying yes to everything because life is short, it’s actually about setting boundaries, not allowing people to treat you unfairly, living a life that is true to yourself, so that you don’t have a ton of regrets when the end of your life approaches, whether you live a long one or not so much.
Recommend!
May 22, 2022
A moving, yet uplifting collection of real-life stories exploring love, memory and regrets. There are stories here which read almost like miniature novels as the interviewees reflect on the mistakes and successes of their lives and Georgina Scull's writing draws you into these people's lives through carefully selected details, and are memorable, even if we only get to spend one chapter with them. There's a story in here for everyone, a reflection on life that will speak to you, a painful moment that will resonate. This is a book about the cruelty of death and the importance of treasuring the good times. Both emotional and life affirming, a book for anyone interested in the lives of others and what can learn from lives that ended too soon.
October 31, 2022
I bought this book quite some time ago and have been dipping in and out of it for the past few months. My Mum died in March this year, and her two longest friends have both died in the past four weeks, it's been a time of loss for me, and sadness. Sometimes I found this book quite difficult to read, but on the whole, I thought it was a book that is actually life-affirming. Whilst there are some really sad recollections, it's also a book that makes the reader think about their own life, and their own decisions.
The author was told that she could die after suffering an internal rupture. This terrified her, not surprisingly, and although she is now well again, she was determined to talk to people at the end of their lives, to ask them about any regrets that they may have.
The stories that she recounts are wise and enlightening. There are some that resonated with me more than others; the people who are still young, but know that they will not see old age are particularly poignant, and such bravery and honesty is portrayed too. There are desperately sad stories, from people who have spent so many years looking back at decisions they made when they were younger, decisions that have impacted their lives so much.
The author deals with each person so sensitively, relaying their thoughts just as they were spoken and giving a reader much to think about.
An important book, a book that will make most people take stock, and look around and think hard about what we do now and how that may affect the rest of our lives.
The author was told that she could die after suffering an internal rupture. This terrified her, not surprisingly, and although she is now well again, she was determined to talk to people at the end of their lives, to ask them about any regrets that they may have.
The stories that she recounts are wise and enlightening. There are some that resonated with me more than others; the people who are still young, but know that they will not see old age are particularly poignant, and such bravery and honesty is portrayed too. There are desperately sad stories, from people who have spent so many years looking back at decisions they made when they were younger, decisions that have impacted their lives so much.
The author deals with each person so sensitively, relaying their thoughts just as they were spoken and giving a reader much to think about.
An important book, a book that will make most people take stock, and look around and think hard about what we do now and how that may affect the rest of our lives.
March 21, 2022
Real-life stories sometimes have the disadvantage of not being fluid or neatly packaged narratively. Having said that, such kind of stories does hold valuable lessons for those who can sift through its ambiguities to find what they need. Regrets of the Dying is such a book. It is a book that contains stories of people who, like us, have made lots of mistakes and, given the chance, ponder on what they could have done better.
WHAT I LIKE IN THIS BOOK
This is a book that reflects the messiness of life and the ways in which life situations can spiral out of control. Regrets of the Dying contains a lot of stories that might not resonate with everyone, but there is no doubt that it has something for everyone.
DISLIKES
None.
WHO IS IT FOR
A few of the stories are depressing and aren't for those with a particular set view of life.
Many thanks to Welbeck Publishing UK for providing a review copy.
WHAT I LIKE IN THIS BOOK
This is a book that reflects the messiness of life and the ways in which life situations can spiral out of control. Regrets of the Dying contains a lot of stories that might not resonate with everyone, but there is no doubt that it has something for everyone.
DISLIKES
None.
WHO IS IT FOR
A few of the stories are depressing and aren't for those with a particular set view of life.
Many thanks to Welbeck Publishing UK for providing a review copy.
April 14, 2025
A series of accounts from people with terminal illnesses, nearing the end of their life, or having to support someone at the end. Some of these inevitably are difficult to read and the overarching message is a well-known one: live your life now, don’t wait for a better time, take chances. Yes, it’s perhaps a bit of a cliche but this was a powerful read in many areas.
October 9, 2025
Georgina picked the right amount of detail for each persons story. It took me into their world. Shows every person has a story.
April 24, 2022
How do you live life after facing death? We all know our lives will end one day, yet we live as if they won’t. Often, it’s too painful to admit otherwise. But for most of us, there are milestone-moments where, forced to stare death in the face, we re-evaluate the past and decide to live the future differently.
What Georgina Scull does in her beautiful book, Regrets of the Dying, is to offer us the wisdom she and others have learned at great cost from life-changing trauma. Having internally ruptured and been close to death herself, the author decided to meet and question others who had been in similar positions to find out if and what they’d changed about their lives. What did they regret? How were they squeezing the juice from the time they had left?
The stories themselves are at times heart-breaking but they’re also inspiring. Hope sings from these pages as the author shares not only people’s tragedies but their revelations too: work to live not vice versa, trust your gut, say sorry before it’s too late. These are just a few nuggets drawn from the experiences of those interviewed for the book.
The style is well written and unpretentious, refusing to distract the reader from the stories told. But Scull draws together the wisdom of many with clarity and insight, ending with a challenge for us all. A deeply reflective and inspiring read which I would recommend to anyone, especially those needing to refocus on the things that really matter.
What Georgina Scull does in her beautiful book, Regrets of the Dying, is to offer us the wisdom she and others have learned at great cost from life-changing trauma. Having internally ruptured and been close to death herself, the author decided to meet and question others who had been in similar positions to find out if and what they’d changed about their lives. What did they regret? How were they squeezing the juice from the time they had left?
The stories themselves are at times heart-breaking but they’re also inspiring. Hope sings from these pages as the author shares not only people’s tragedies but their revelations too: work to live not vice versa, trust your gut, say sorry before it’s too late. These are just a few nuggets drawn from the experiences of those interviewed for the book.
The style is well written and unpretentious, refusing to distract the reader from the stories told. But Scull draws together the wisdom of many with clarity and insight, ending with a challenge for us all. A deeply reflective and inspiring read which I would recommend to anyone, especially those needing to refocus on the things that really matter.
August 24, 2024
I wanted to like this book. More so because I chose it as a book club read, and yet it became the first of book club flops.
I just couldn't get into it. Maybe because I was hoping for more from the author and not just a compilation of people's narratives of regret — her takeaways, insights, ah-has... something. I struggled to get to the end of it and will be giving my copy away.
I just couldn't get into it. Maybe because I was hoping for more from the author and not just a compilation of people's narratives of regret — her takeaways, insights, ah-has... something. I struggled to get to the end of it and will be giving my copy away.
February 7, 2023
Stories are interesting but writers insights are uninspiring
December 20, 2023
An interesting concept which failed to achieve its potential. DNF
January 6, 2024
Very interesting. Made me think about alot of things
January 13, 2026
When author Georgina had her own near-death experience she set out to meet others who had faced their own mortality or had the end in sight. The people she met taught her what it feels like to know you're running out of time, what tends to stays with you, what you should let go of, what everyone wishes they'd done differently and what it means to have a life well-lived.
It’s not a ‘doom and gloom’ book about people dying at all - it’s a clever and intimate look into relatable circumstances we all find ourselves in during our lifetime. It��s also a look into the lives of people who have lost and are coping with grief.
It’s definitely thought-provoking and gives food for thought. Whilst I didn’t have any lightbulb moments myself, I still found the stories relatable. Don’t spend years in jobs you hate. Don’t leave good things unsaid.
It addresses how messy, unpredictable and unfair life can be, and how people have/are navigating their way through life. I had moments of self-reflection after some, and others I didn’t find entirely groundbreaking.
Not to take anything away from the important and insightful stories here, but at times I did find myself thinking ‘well surely this one is obvious’. I felt ‘Working too much’ for example was a little cliche but I would caveat that by saying perhaps it’s these things that we sometimes lose sight of and could be the ‘spark’ moment to take stock of your own circumstances.
The authors conclusion with ‘top 10 tips’ to live a life with minimal regrets was charming and again, providing some moments of reflections.
It’s not a ‘doom and gloom’ book about people dying at all - it’s a clever and intimate look into relatable circumstances we all find ourselves in during our lifetime. It��s also a look into the lives of people who have lost and are coping with grief.
It’s definitely thought-provoking and gives food for thought. Whilst I didn’t have any lightbulb moments myself, I still found the stories relatable. Don’t spend years in jobs you hate. Don’t leave good things unsaid.
It addresses how messy, unpredictable and unfair life can be, and how people have/are navigating their way through life. I had moments of self-reflection after some, and others I didn’t find entirely groundbreaking.
Not to take anything away from the important and insightful stories here, but at times I did find myself thinking ‘well surely this one is obvious’. I felt ‘Working too much’ for example was a little cliche but I would caveat that by saying perhaps it’s these things that we sometimes lose sight of and could be the ‘spark’ moment to take stock of your own circumstances.
The authors conclusion with ‘top 10 tips’ to live a life with minimal regrets was charming and again, providing some moments of reflections.
January 28, 2023
A cathartic and thought-provoking read which came at a crucial point in my professional life…..whether to fully retire after several years of semi-retirement. It is a collection of stories from people of all ages, some of whom are nearing the natural end of their lives at a good age, and those who are younger with a terminal illness. Their courage in sharing their thoughts helped me to focus on what is important in life and also to concentrate on the present and the future, whilst not dwelling on the past, although I accept there are often things in the past that are too life-changing to let go of for some people. I borrowed this book from the library but have now bought my own copy as I have no doubt I will be reading it again and again.
August 16, 2022
When I read the back cover, given the topic, I expected a very moving narration of these people’s lives. While the stories themselves were sad to hear, the parts where author kicks in, not so much. I am not saying that the sad lives involved should be “dramatised”, but I somehow feel like the way they were conveyed could be more touching or opening up to wider questions. There are many accounts and at times I feel like I would like to have a longer and deeper perspective to them rather than a mere collection of stories.
November 6, 2025
I wanted to love this, having read things in a similar vein. But I found it less hopeful than I wanted it to be. The last summary section is brilliant and more what I was expecting, but it served slightly more as a reminder that life is dysfunctional and people have to navigate hardship in a variety of ways, much of which is unavoidable.
On a more practical note, I listened to the audio book and there just weren't enough moments of pause between chapters or memories. It all felt like it blurred into one. Some pausing would have helped moments have more impact.
On a more practical note, I listened to the audio book and there just weren't enough moments of pause between chapters or memories. It all felt like it blurred into one. Some pausing would have helped moments have more impact.
May 19, 2022
Really enjoyed the book, definitely makes you think about what is really important in life. To also realize how fragile and temporary life really is. The only think I didn’t like was the chapter on her father which I think was only two pages, if that,I wish it was more of in-depth. Other than that it’s something that can help to open your eyes to the fact that the future is not guaranteed to anybody, regardless of who you are. Definitely worth reading.
November 17, 2022
A captivating and inspiring book that moved me to tears.
I cried four times whilst reading this book, which is likely a record.
This book has impacted upon me like hardly others ever have before and I was enthralled throughout.
At points I was so moved that it made me reevaluate my whole life, at one specific point I read advice that helped me resolve guilt I have carried for two years about my own father’s death.
The best book of 2022 by far.
I cried four times whilst reading this book, which is likely a record.
This book has impacted upon me like hardly others ever have before and I was enthralled throughout.
At points I was so moved that it made me reevaluate my whole life, at one specific point I read advice that helped me resolve guilt I have carried for two years about my own father’s death.
The best book of 2022 by far.
April 15, 2023
People facing their mortality describe regrets.
E.g. One person regretted slow fading out of a relationship 50 years ago.He trapped down his ex, but she doesn't want anything to do with him.
A woman regretted not taking a job on a cruise ship. She didn't get the travel experiences.
One woman seems very cognizant of her diminishing time, and she tries to create memories for her kids.
I appreciate seeing these stories demystified.
E.g. One person regretted slow fading out of a relationship 50 years ago.He trapped down his ex, but she doesn't want anything to do with him.
A woman regretted not taking a job on a cruise ship. She didn't get the travel experiences.
One woman seems very cognizant of her diminishing time, and she tries to create memories for her kids.
I appreciate seeing these stories demystified.
July 2, 2023
Despite being a collection of stories full of tragedy and heartbreak, "Regrets of the Dying" is an inspiring and life-affirming book. I was deeply moved by the honesty and desire to share the painfully acquired wisdom of all Georgina Scull spoke to while writing this book.
I dare say that everyone can benefit from reading this book because faced with stories of so much pain and sadness, one is forced to think about one's own life, values and choices - a difficult but deeply rewarding read.
I dare say that everyone can benefit from reading this book because faced with stories of so much pain and sadness, one is forced to think about one's own life, values and choices - a difficult but deeply rewarding read.
December 18, 2024
A beautiful collection of intimate stories from people at various stages of life, reflecting on their experiences, relationships, lives, and regrets.
Books like this never fail to put things into perspective. The quotidian can be strangely moving and reading a book like this, you cannot help but reflect on your own choices and paths. It's the book I needed to read at this point in my life, and I'm glad I came across it.
Books like this never fail to put things into perspective. The quotidian can be strangely moving and reading a book like this, you cannot help but reflect on your own choices and paths. It's the book I needed to read at this point in my life, and I'm glad I came across it.
February 18, 2022
This brought tears to my eyes as with this book learn not have regrets
We all need spend more time focusing on ourselves and our mental wellbeing
Georgina takes us on journey of discovery or learning to have no regrets
We all need spend more time focusing on ourselves and our mental wellbeing
Georgina takes us on journey of discovery or learning to have no regrets
May 17, 2022
2.5 stars
This one seemed a bit repetitive most of the way through and some of the stories were a bit depressing. I never felt any “seize the day moments after reading it” and it won’t really leave any lasting impression.
This one seemed a bit repetitive most of the way through and some of the stories were a bit depressing. I never felt any “seize the day moments after reading it” and it won’t really leave any lasting impression.
August 22, 2022
An insightful and smooth read! I loved reading each person's story, and I learnt that while regrets are unavoidable, gradually accepting the present and moving on with contempt is perhaps the greatest meaning in life.
November 22, 2022
If you are a human with a pulse you need to read this book. The final chapter is beautiful in so many ways as it summarizes the lives of the people you meet in the earlier chapters and the author’s list of how to live a life you don’t regret. Keeping this one to come back to.
May 20, 2023
The premise of this book was good but I didn't enjoy the writing style. I felt like the author often tried to shoehorn the answers of people she had interviewed into a response she had already decided. But overall the book had a nice message: make the most of life.
November 5, 2023
I was told about this book whilst attending a book binding class. It resonated strongly with me as I was was very poorly last year with covid and pneumonia.
This book is well written and has given me a little peace and not to be so scared of the inevitable. Thank you.
This book is well written and has given me a little peace and not to be so scared of the inevitable. Thank you.
November 13, 2023
Loved the persecptive that the author puts using conversations with people who have faced death head on.
I especially cherished each and every word of the last chapter and took notes to reflect back on how do I want to design my life.
I especially cherished each and every word of the last chapter and took notes to reflect back on how do I want to design my life.
October 21, 2024
A beautiful and, at times, incredibly deep and touching read covering stories of people at the end of their life expressing their biggest regrets.
Some stories just hit hard and give space for self reflection, definitely worth a read.
Some stories just hit hard and give space for self reflection, definitely worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews