To Hell With Dying

by Alice Walker, Catherine Deeter (Illustrator)

“The tender colors seem lit from within, creating a reverential mood that enhances the story’s compelling narrative. A loving remembrance of a common man whose humanity Walker makes memorable.”-- Booklist “Overflowing with compassion, humor, and good sense, [it is] a fine story of deep feeling.”-- Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Picture Books, Short Stories, African American, Friendship, Childrens, Death, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Noted American writer Alice Walker won a Pulitzer Prize for her stance against racism and sexism in such novels as The Color Purple (1982).

People awarded this preeminent author of stories, essays, and poetry of the United States. In 1983, this first African woman for fiction also received the national book award. Her other books include The Third Life of Grange Copeland , Meridian , The Temple of My Familiar , and Possessing the Secret of Joy . In public life, Walker worked to address problems of injustice, inequality, and poverty as an activist, teacher, and public intellectual.

Reviews

[Laura Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost 20 years later and still a favorite....and I still can't read it without crying. It gets me every time. Lovely story. Magnificent illustrations.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant, beautiful short-story-turned-picture-book perfect for a secondary school library.
Walker's skillful imagery presents a flawed, outcast of a character so beloved even for all of his faults, that you can hardly believe it. This book showed me true unconditional love, acceptance, and community in a way I couldn't really imagine until now. Have your tissues nearby.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working in a library has a massive advantage that I sometimes stumble across a gem of a book such as this.
Lovely picture book and you can see the beginning of Walker's prose blossom.

[ღ꧁ღ nami ღ꧂ღ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The man on the high old- fashioned bed with the quilt coverlet and the flowing white beard had been my first love.”

[Giselle Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story shows how hard it can be to lose someone you love. As I was reading the story I imagined my grandfather reading this to me. The illustrations in this book are beautiful. It also makes the book seem real and true with the emotions the illustrations bring out. For example, towards the last page, the tears on the woman's face looked sufficiently highlighted which helped the illustrator bring sorrow to the readers (in other words: it makes me want to cry).

[Erik Akre · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were to rate this book purely by the enjoyment it brought to my children as a read-aloud, I might rate it higher. I found it a bit of a marathon to read to them, but they were with me for every word. The story somehow touches something inside them; it resonates. Perhaps it's the theme of death, touched with love and compassion, that draws them in so well. The story is well-told, and the characters are very real. It must be read with feeling and sensitivity, especially the refrain: "To hell with dying man! These children want Mr. Sweet!" The central character, Mr. Sweet, is a tragic man with a kind and gentle soul, and his life is shared so kindly with the book's first-person child who loves him. Definitely recommended for children of upper-preschool age, or older for that matter.

[Jann Cather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A children's book with sagacious insight for all ages on life and death.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely lovely story about a lovely lovely family who absolutely loved an old man most people would consider unlovable.

[Miguel Vega · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3/5. I really liked this story. Alice Walker writes about howe e can go through our entire lives believing we can never be touched by death or that a loved one will never be kissed by it as well; but it does, it does for all of us sooner or later. I thought the art was beautiful and the message at the end was beautiful as well: true love can come from the youngest and oldest of friends and does not have to be romantic.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this must be an early writing of Alice Walker's. We see the developing art of narration, and the blossoming of life long writing themes of loss and separation. For me, it touched on personal memories of family that were both touching and painful. I remembered so many of my beloved role models, their nurturing and need to be nurtured. All of the elements of a good story are starting to take shape in this brief story.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very touching, well-written book on a subject most people reluctantly talk about.
A good way to introduce children to not only the subject of death but also the appreciation of those in your life, especially the elderly.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book at a book sale in my local library, and I had to buy it! It is absolutely delightful, with great illustrations! I recommend it highly. It is charming, real, poignant, funny, and very moving.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.. with a wonderful lesson!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Hell with Dying
Walker, Alice
found on a list of great picture books for kids, this great book about death and life and love about a little girl and the old man she loved her first love. he was a neighbor, and an unhealthy man but he continued to live through many strokes and ailments because of the innocent love of the two children when he finally does die as they are adults she realizes how important their rituals were in her life, and how she had always innocently loved the old man.

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad picked this up for my one-year-old niece but I'm sure she didn't appreciate the story of the drunk and miserable old man as much as I did.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in class. I thought it was a very short and sweet story.

[Jojo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fear books like these, that talk frankly about alcohol and depression in adults, are being pushed out by books that only focus on sunshine and frivolity.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about a young girls' first love.