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The Kindest Thing
What would you do?
When Deborah reluctantly helps her beloved husband, Neil, end his life and conceals the truth, she is charged with his murder. As the trial unfolds and her daughter Sophie testifies against her, Deborah, still reeling from grief, fights to defend her actions. Twelve jurors hold her fate in their hands - and if found guilty she will serve a life sentence. But is the assisted suicide of a person you love murder?
When Deborah reluctantly helps her beloved husband, Neil, end his life and conceals the truth, she is charged with his murder. As the trial unfolds and her daughter Sophie testifies against her, Deborah, still reeling from grief, fights to defend her actions. Twelve jurors hold her fate in their hands - and if found guilty she will serve a life sentence. But is the assisted suicide of a person you love murder?
263 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2009
19 people are currently reading
3242 people want to read
About the author
Cath Staincliffe
59 books321 followersCath Staincliffe is a best-selling, award-winning novelist, radio playwright and the creator of ITV's hit series, Blue Murder, starring Caroline Quentin as DCI Janine Lewis. Cath's books have been short-listed for the British Crime Writers Association best first novel award, for the Dagger in the Library and selected as Le Masque de l'Année. In 2012 Cath won the CWA Short Story Dagger for Laptop, sharing the prize with Margaret Murphy with her story The Message. Cath was shortlisted again with Night Nurse in 2014. Cath's Sal Kilkenny private eye series features a single-parent sleuth working the mean streets of Manchester. Trio, a stand-alone novel moved away from crime to explore adoption and growing up in the 1960s, inspired by Cath's own experience. Letters To My Daughter's Killer was selected for Specsavers Crime Thriller Book Club in 2014 and featured on ITV3s Crime Thriller Club. Cath also writes the Scott & Bailey novels based on the popular UK TV series. Cath's latest stand alone book, The Girl in the Green Dress, was inspired by her experience as the parent of a transgender child. It tells the story of a transphobic hate crime and asks the question: how far would you go to protect your child? Cath is one of the founding members of Murder Squad - a group of Northern crime writers who give readings, talks and signings around the country. Cath was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, UK and now lives in Manchester, Lancashire with her family. You can follow her on Twitter, @CathStaincliffe, which she does when she should be busy writing!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
April 9, 2018
This is the third book I've read by Cath Staincliffe and what I particularly love about her standalone books is they all tackle controversial topics with sensitivity and compassion and each book makes you come away thinking "how would I cope in that situation?".
I listened to The Kindest Thing on Audible and was captivated by the opening chapter. Beautifully narrated by Anne Dover, The Kindest Thing is a love story with a tragic ending. I'm not spoiling anything here by telling you that Deborah and Neil were happily married and then Neil is diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and asks Deborah to help him end his life as the story actually begins with Deborah facing a murder charge in court.
If you are looking for a fast paced, page turner - then this isn't the book for you. But if you are looking for a sensitive, touching and thought-provoking story about assisted suicide and the impact of a terminal disease in a family, then I would recommend this book.
I listened to The Kindest Thing on Audible and was captivated by the opening chapter. Beautifully narrated by Anne Dover, The Kindest Thing is a love story with a tragic ending. I'm not spoiling anything here by telling you that Deborah and Neil were happily married and then Neil is diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and asks Deborah to help him end his life as the story actually begins with Deborah facing a murder charge in court.
If you are looking for a fast paced, page turner - then this isn't the book for you. But if you are looking for a sensitive, touching and thought-provoking story about assisted suicide and the impact of a terminal disease in a family, then I would recommend this book.
July 27, 2010
What an emotional read! The main character is very real and easily identified with making her situation all the harder. I was a little confused with the story jumping between past and present but didn't effect the power of the story. The telling of the court case was fantastic, especially how she viewed the jury and I found myself hating the prosecution...couldn't they see how awful it all was?
I also liked how near the beginning, she described how her boyfriend (now husband) described all the Greek myths to her on holiday and then she goes on to refer to them throughout to describe situations.
I haven't read any of her books before but I do understand this is different to what she normally does.
I also liked how near the beginning, she described how her boyfriend (now husband) described all the Greek myths to her on holiday and then she goes on to refer to them throughout to describe situations.
I haven't read any of her books before but I do understand this is different to what she normally does.
June 18, 2010
Cath Staincliffe is a well-known crime author, the Sal Kilkenny series and the Blue Murder television programme. 'The Kindest Thing' is a new direction for her writing, yes there is a crime that is central to the story, but this is also a love story and a story of modern family life and how one decision can change your world,
So - what would you do? Your partner of over twenty years has Motor Neurone disease - he wants to choose when to die, before he becomes just a shell of the man he is. He wants you to help him - you both know that it is murder. You love him but you dont want to lose him, but you dont want him to continue to suffer. What would you do?
Deborah and Neil met at University, over twenty five years ago. They have a loving and strong relationship, they are a modern couple, professional and both with successful careers, they still have an active sexual relationship, they still have fun. They've had their problems; Deborah once strayed - attracted by another man. Their son has mental health problems, brought on by drug use - but they have survived, and look forward to an old age together.
Neil is diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease, a cruel illness that will kill him. He will get progressively worse, Deborah will have to become his carer, their roles will change. Neil cant bear it and decides that he will end his life when he feels he can bear it no longer. He wants Deborah to help him. At first Deborah resists, but she loves him and in the end she does as he asks.
The novel follows Deborah through her trial for murder. During the trial she reflects on their life together. As the prosecutor tries to make the jury believe that she is a cold-blooded killer who deserves to spend the rest of her life in prison and her solicitor tries to convince them that she was mentally unstable at the time of Neil's death.
Deborah has to deal with the fact that her daughter and mother-in-law chooses to testify against her and have her life scrutinised by not just the jury but the readers of the local newspaper too.
This is an expertly written novel - only short, around 250 pages, but the characters are brilliantly portrayed - the plot is fast paced and the dialogue very well written.
The trials and tribulations of family life, the love between a couple, the dilemma they face - all put across so well.
Page turning stuff which really makes you wonder - what would I do?
So - what would you do? Your partner of over twenty years has Motor Neurone disease - he wants to choose when to die, before he becomes just a shell of the man he is. He wants you to help him - you both know that it is murder. You love him but you dont want to lose him, but you dont want him to continue to suffer. What would you do?
Deborah and Neil met at University, over twenty five years ago. They have a loving and strong relationship, they are a modern couple, professional and both with successful careers, they still have an active sexual relationship, they still have fun. They've had their problems; Deborah once strayed - attracted by another man. Their son has mental health problems, brought on by drug use - but they have survived, and look forward to an old age together.
Neil is diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease, a cruel illness that will kill him. He will get progressively worse, Deborah will have to become his carer, their roles will change. Neil cant bear it and decides that he will end his life when he feels he can bear it no longer. He wants Deborah to help him. At first Deborah resists, but she loves him and in the end she does as he asks.
The novel follows Deborah through her trial for murder. During the trial she reflects on their life together. As the prosecutor tries to make the jury believe that she is a cold-blooded killer who deserves to spend the rest of her life in prison and her solicitor tries to convince them that she was mentally unstable at the time of Neil's death.
Deborah has to deal with the fact that her daughter and mother-in-law chooses to testify against her and have her life scrutinised by not just the jury but the readers of the local newspaper too.
This is an expertly written novel - only short, around 250 pages, but the characters are brilliantly portrayed - the plot is fast paced and the dialogue very well written.
The trials and tribulations of family life, the love between a couple, the dilemma they face - all put across so well.
Page turning stuff which really makes you wonder - what would I do?
May 18, 2016
After reading *witness* by cath i knew i found another great author that i wanted to read more books of.
Well what can i say about this book. Its based on a loving couple where the husband gets diagnose with MND a deadly disease that has no cure.
We go through the life when Deborah and neil was uni students to when neil got told he had MND. We walk through how neil begged Deborah to help him die.
This book did get me at time. Like it felt there was no caring ro remorse what she did. But then when i kept reading i understood more why she did what she did.
I think we can all agree that we hate seeing our loved ones in pain etc and would do anything to help take that away from them.
In the court scenes it kept u guessing. One min things would be going Deborahs way and the next the tables turn and it doesnt look good for her.
I really enjoyed it very much and will read more by this author.
And to be honest with the mixed reviews i think before u judge on a review i would just read it for yourself :)
Well what can i say about this book. Its based on a loving couple where the husband gets diagnose with MND a deadly disease that has no cure.
We go through the life when Deborah and neil was uni students to when neil got told he had MND. We walk through how neil begged Deborah to help him die.
This book did get me at time. Like it felt there was no caring ro remorse what she did. But then when i kept reading i understood more why she did what she did.
I think we can all agree that we hate seeing our loved ones in pain etc and would do anything to help take that away from them.
In the court scenes it kept u guessing. One min things would be going Deborahs way and the next the tables turn and it doesnt look good for her.
I really enjoyed it very much and will read more by this author.
And to be honest with the mixed reviews i think before u judge on a review i would just read it for yourself :)
January 21, 2011
Should have been a great book - essentially about euthanasia, but I found the main character to be self-indulgent and unlikeable, which impacted on my enjoyment of the plot. I wanted to get to the end so I could move onto another book, rather than to find out what was going to happen, as I didn't really care whether she was found guilty or not.I came away wishing it had been written by Jodi Picoult instead. The main plot idea was good though and I did chose to finish it.
September 10, 2010
Not the easiest of subject matter - a mercy killing - but very well written and it does make you think what would you do in the same situation.
January 13, 2013
Fairly short, this book examines the reality of assisted suicide from the point of view of the assistant. At times a little clumsy, the book is written like a stream of the protagonist's thoughts and memories, meaning the past and present are interspersed. Overall a thought provoking story.
July 2, 2012
In this novel, Cath Staincliffe tackles the controversial subject of mercy killings. After 25 years of a strong and happy marriage and raising two children to adulthood, Deborah’s husband Neil is diagnosed with motor neuron disease, a cruel and fatal condition for which there is no cure. Afraid of dying an undignified and slow death, Neil asks Deborah the unthinkable – would she assist him in his suicide before his suffering becomes too great? When Deborah reluctantly gives in to her husband’s wishes, she finds herself on trial for murder, with her own daughter as witness against her.
Whilst I admired the author for her honest approach to this difficult subject, I found it very difficult to fully understand Deborah’s feelings and motivations. Despite brief descriptions of her difficult relationship with her deceased mother, and the grief she is still carrying from the death of her father as a child, Deborah’s feelings about her husband’s decline did not become fully apparent to me. Anyone who has ever lost a loved one to a terrible illness knows the feelings of helplessness of seeing them suffer and being unable to help. Yet I did not get this sense from Deborah. Whilst she briefly describes her anger at Neil’s diagnosis and being torn by his request to help him die, Deborah’s emotions on witnessing her husband’s decline remained a bit of an enigma to me – possibly due to the fact that the reader never got a full insight into the day-to-day trials and tribulations of Neil’s life with the disease. So whilst the novel prompted me to try to imagine what I would do in similar circumstances (which presents a terrible moral and ethical dilemma), I was never able to really understand what changed Deborah’s mind in the end and led her to do what she did.
All in all, for me the book never lived up to its full potential. To fully grasp the depth of the dilemma Deborah found herself in, I would have liked to get a better grasp on her character and feelings as well as her husband Neil’s. In the absence of fully understanding Neil’s suffering, his plea to Deborah to assist him to die whilst he is still able to have some quality of life does not fully gel with the family man he is portrayed as being. Neil clearly loves his family, and yet apparently does not think about the effect his death will have on them – let alone for the legal implications for his wife was she ever found out. By exploring the characters more the author could have answered these questions and made the story more compelling and closer to the reader’s heart.
Whilst I admired the author for her honest approach to this difficult subject, I found it very difficult to fully understand Deborah’s feelings and motivations. Despite brief descriptions of her difficult relationship with her deceased mother, and the grief she is still carrying from the death of her father as a child, Deborah’s feelings about her husband’s decline did not become fully apparent to me. Anyone who has ever lost a loved one to a terrible illness knows the feelings of helplessness of seeing them suffer and being unable to help. Yet I did not get this sense from Deborah. Whilst she briefly describes her anger at Neil’s diagnosis and being torn by his request to help him die, Deborah’s emotions on witnessing her husband’s decline remained a bit of an enigma to me – possibly due to the fact that the reader never got a full insight into the day-to-day trials and tribulations of Neil’s life with the disease. So whilst the novel prompted me to try to imagine what I would do in similar circumstances (which presents a terrible moral and ethical dilemma), I was never able to really understand what changed Deborah’s mind in the end and led her to do what she did.
All in all, for me the book never lived up to its full potential. To fully grasp the depth of the dilemma Deborah found herself in, I would have liked to get a better grasp on her character and feelings as well as her husband Neil’s. In the absence of fully understanding Neil’s suffering, his plea to Deborah to assist him to die whilst he is still able to have some quality of life does not fully gel with the family man he is portrayed as being. Neil clearly loves his family, and yet apparently does not think about the effect his death will have on them – let alone for the legal implications for his wife was she ever found out. By exploring the characters more the author could have answered these questions and made the story more compelling and closer to the reader’s heart.
June 11, 2016
Assisted suicide is a contentious issue, and ‘The kindest thing’ isn’t scared of bringing the arguments to the forefront to discuss in this novel. Deborah is not a willing element of her husbands demise. There is a long fought battle to help him live with his illness comfortably. However the book leans on the side of compassion for people with terminal illness, and it’s undoubtedly going to cause some ruffled feathers.
It doesn’t help that Deborah isn’t exactly the most likeable character – the flashbacks to her youth and meeting her husband don’t really build her as someone that you’re going to get behind. She’s selfish and indulgent, and Neil is portrayed through his illness as manipulative, angry, volatile, etc. It sums up the gamut of emotions that a family is dealt when their life changes so dramatically.
The reader of the book will feel as though they are part of the ongoing legal battle to determine if Deborah is guilty of killing her husband. Much like Deborah’s family in the book, you’re going to have your own beliefs that you’re going to apply to the situation, and the remainder of the narrative will be seen through this lens.
There are elements of the book that are graphic, and others that are plain boring. But there is a consistent thread of story throughout and you need to hold on in order to find out the outcome of the court case, and where the rest of Deborah’s life will end up.
It doesn’t help that Deborah isn’t exactly the most likeable character – the flashbacks to her youth and meeting her husband don’t really build her as someone that you’re going to get behind. She’s selfish and indulgent, and Neil is portrayed through his illness as manipulative, angry, volatile, etc. It sums up the gamut of emotions that a family is dealt when their life changes so dramatically.
The reader of the book will feel as though they are part of the ongoing legal battle to determine if Deborah is guilty of killing her husband. Much like Deborah’s family in the book, you’re going to have your own beliefs that you’re going to apply to the situation, and the remainder of the narrative will be seen through this lens.
There are elements of the book that are graphic, and others that are plain boring. But there is a consistent thread of story throughout and you need to hold on in order to find out the outcome of the court case, and where the rest of Deborah’s life will end up.
July 26, 2016
This thought-provoking book really played with my emotions; I could relate to many of the themes in direct and indirect ways and therefore I was immediately drawn deep into the story and found the book hard to put down.
This would be a great pick for a book club since it’s full of heavy topics to discuss in great depth:
• The fear of some horrible unexpected degenerative medical condition hitting you in the prime of life.
• The fear of some horrible unexpected degenerative medical condition hitting your spouse in the prime of life.
• The agony of your life being under someone else’s control and being judged so heavily and with such dire consequences by someone who doesn’t know you.
• The entire “dying with dignity / assisted suicide” issue, which is also currently in our Canadian Headlines at the moment with the passing of Bill 44-28.
I thought it was a great novel that really handled a delicate topic with insight. I wonder if personalizing a case like this would ever change someone’s mind about whether or not euthanasia is acceptable or reprehensible?
I feel like I was put through an emotional wringer and spit out at the other end - I am spent after reading this book and want to move on to some lighter fare!
This would be a great pick for a book club since it’s full of heavy topics to discuss in great depth:
• The fear of some horrible unexpected degenerative medical condition hitting you in the prime of life.
• The fear of some horrible unexpected degenerative medical condition hitting your spouse in the prime of life.
• The agony of your life being under someone else’s control and being judged so heavily and with such dire consequences by someone who doesn’t know you.
• The entire “dying with dignity / assisted suicide” issue, which is also currently in our Canadian Headlines at the moment with the passing of Bill 44-28.
I thought it was a great novel that really handled a delicate topic with insight. I wonder if personalizing a case like this would ever change someone’s mind about whether or not euthanasia is acceptable or reprehensible?
I feel like I was put through an emotional wringer and spit out at the other end - I am spent after reading this book and want to move on to some lighter fare!
June 21, 2013
Personally I found this enormously powerful and very moving at times - there was a tear in my eye once or twice. It is the story of Deborah who assists in the killing of her husband Neil who has Motor Neurone Disease. The narrative ranges from the current events to the start of their lives together. Thought provoking definite - what would YOU do in her situation? I found her character very open and believable. One of the better books I've read recently and one that will stay with me for a while I think.
June 8, 2025
“The Kindest Thing” is about family, daily life, secrets, and euthanasia.
Deborah has been married to Neil for 25 years. They have two children, one of whom, Adam, has mental problems because of drug use.
They've had their ups and downs over the years but everything is thrown into chaos when Neil is diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease.
As the disease progresses he decides he wants to die at a time of his own choosing, and enlists the reluctant help of Deborah.
An autopsy, however, raises the possibility and he did not die by his own hand.
What follows is very much like a True Crime book, the flashbacks, cells, courts and prison.
Having reached an age (and a state of health) where death is something that is approaching (not immediately) I found the subject matter intriguing.
Would I make the same decision as Deborah? Would I ask my wife to take part in my death?
I would like to think that the answer is negative, but who knows what the future holds?
It, not surprisingly, is a mostly sad book but a good one nonetheless.
3 Stars.
Deborah has been married to Neil for 25 years. They have two children, one of whom, Adam, has mental problems because of drug use.
They've had their ups and downs over the years but everything is thrown into chaos when Neil is diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease.
As the disease progresses he decides he wants to die at a time of his own choosing, and enlists the reluctant help of Deborah.
An autopsy, however, raises the possibility and he did not die by his own hand.
What follows is very much like a True Crime book, the flashbacks, cells, courts and prison.
Having reached an age (and a state of health) where death is something that is approaching (not immediately) I found the subject matter intriguing.
Would I make the same decision as Deborah? Would I ask my wife to take part in my death?
I would like to think that the answer is negative, but who knows what the future holds?
It, not surprisingly, is a mostly sad book but a good one nonetheless.
3 Stars.
October 12, 2018
I have read a few of Staincliffe's other novels and have really enjoyed them. I came to this one and thought the synopsis sounded interesting and a topic I hadn't previously read about. I can't help but feel a bit disappointed upon it's completion...I just thought it lacked something, having so much potential as a subject matter but not delving deep enough into the characters and their behaviour and instead focussing on the court case. I felt that more description was given to members of the jury than to members of the protagonists family. That said it was a compelling read but compared to her other work, not quite as strong.
September 15, 2017
Having read and hugely enjoyed The Silence Between Breaths awhile ago I was pleased to spot The Kindest Thing in my library - my joy was short lived tho.
This is a really short and quick read that took me barely any time to read and no real effort was involved in reading it. Was ok but not in the same league as The Silence Between Breaths imo - a shame.
This is a really short and quick read that took me barely any time to read and no real effort was involved in reading it. Was ok but not in the same league as The Silence Between Breaths imo - a shame.
September 18, 2017
Set aside in mid-May under the assumption that I would circle back to it. But I just have absolutely no desire to do that so "whiffer" it is. I can't comment on my opinion of the book except to say I started reading it and just didn't want to continue to do so.
June 7, 2019
A very good and easy book to read definitely a page turner focusing on the lives of a family torn apart after an assisted suicide.
Showing aspects from the wife,son and daughter and extended family.
An excellent read.
Showing aspects from the wife,son and daughter and extended family.
An excellent read.
April 18, 2022
An interesting premise: fatal disease in husband's life and wife is asked to help ease him into eternity. The book begins with her after the deed is done.
She is charged with murder and the trial consumes most of the book. Interspersed are episodes of the couple's life together, their families, their joys, their problems.
The ending seemed anti-climactic. There were so many more ideas left to develop or follow. It was a short book, that in my opinion, would have gained through more development.
She is charged with murder and the trial consumes most of the book. Interspersed are episodes of the couple's life together, their families, their joys, their problems.
The ending seemed anti-climactic. There were so many more ideas left to develop or follow. It was a short book, that in my opinion, would have gained through more development.
October 19, 2023
If you have a friend who died from MND you'll find it disturbing as I did. But very well handled. The ending was always in doubt. All the characters excellently drawn. But because it's upsetting it's hard to recommend.... 3.5 stars maybe!
September 29, 2024
Likely to be my favourite book of the year. Beautifully written, with such tenderness and so well researched as to be completely plausible. Memory failure may rob me of the names of these characters but they will remain in my heart.
June 11, 2018
A thought provoking book about a wife who reluctantly helps her sick husband die and her trial when she is charged for his murder.
July 21, 2018
I can’t say this was one of her best. It was boring and had no character. I just finished it but skipped pages to get to the end.
December 20, 2018
Despite the sad subject of the book (euthanasia), this isn't a depressing book at all. It is mainly about the court case and it is very interesting, a quick read and enjoyable. 7.5 out of 10
July 19, 2019
Cath Staincliffe is a beautiful writer. Although a very depressing subject matter this was very well handled. I highly recommend.
October 29, 2022
Good book
Really enjoyed this book as it really makes you think that this is really happening in true life, would definitely recommend this book as it's very true to life.
Really enjoyed this book as it really makes you think that this is really happening in true life, would definitely recommend this book as it's very true to life.
July 11, 2025
Great idea for a story line but it felt drawn out.
The pace started well but slowed down halfway through
The pace started well but slowed down halfway through
January 21, 2011
A story that could happen to anyone but there is no suspense, no excitement at all. For Deborah, this is her roller-coaster and life-changing story but this situation might be avoided if she has a different spiritual view in life! I dont know but if she has a strong faith in God, despite the love towards her husband, she will NOT do it and not suffer the consequences before God's judgement and with the law!
Why we have to blame someone for what turned out of our relationship or what we are now? We are the one who take charge of our lives, despite what happened in the past! Unfortunately, I dont have kids, but my parents brought up my other 9 siblings successfully, and as the author described Deborah's parenting, I think what happened to Adam and her relationship with Sophie, are just a manifestation of "bad" parenting! With this serious family problem, I do believe that children and close relatives should be informed and be aware of the situation.
Sorry maybe because of my cultural background and Im very upset of the outcome of the story which could be avoided if Deborah and Neil have a strong spiritual connection. Im happy of the jury's verdict but still she has to serve some few years in prison.
In fairness, the author was able to bring a very controversial social issue of the present time and somehow she managed to provide the reader a good understanding on how the court proceedings are conducted.
Why we have to blame someone for what turned out of our relationship or what we are now? We are the one who take charge of our lives, despite what happened in the past! Unfortunately, I dont have kids, but my parents brought up my other 9 siblings successfully, and as the author described Deborah's parenting, I think what happened to Adam and her relationship with Sophie, are just a manifestation of "bad" parenting! With this serious family problem, I do believe that children and close relatives should be informed and be aware of the situation.
Sorry maybe because of my cultural background and Im very upset of the outcome of the story which could be avoided if Deborah and Neil have a strong spiritual connection. Im happy of the jury's verdict but still she has to serve some few years in prison.
In fairness, the author was able to bring a very controversial social issue of the present time and somehow she managed to provide the reader a good understanding on how the court proceedings are conducted.
February 6, 2015
"British law does not permit us to assist in the taking of life, no matter what the individual circumstances. So called mercy killing is illegal under our law."
This book striked me as being interesting as it raised the issue of euthanasia, a topic I have a particular interest in. Should it be legal to help someone who is terminally ill die?
Throughout this book, we are taken through the life of Deborah and how she went from being a uni student to sitting at her own court case for assisting her terminally ill husband to die.
This is definitely a book I have enjoyed and would love to read books like this more often. However I do have a few issues with this novel. Firstly the prison is portrayed to be somewhere of excitement with a lounge area, individual rooms (and shared) television in the rooms with no restrictions and the access to any safe belongings from home. Is this really what a prison should be like? If this is realistic then I am shocked to say the least, prison should be a punishment not a luxury.
Secondly the issue of euthanasia although it was dealt with well (especially in the court case), the really argument of whether it is right or wrong was not raised to an extent that I would have hoped for. As a reader we are not shown what peoples view on the issue are but by the end of the book I think your view will have been formed if not before. I personally have many views on the issue both positive and negative but I shall not go into that.
This book striked me as being interesting as it raised the issue of euthanasia, a topic I have a particular interest in. Should it be legal to help someone who is terminally ill die?
Throughout this book, we are taken through the life of Deborah and how she went from being a uni student to sitting at her own court case for assisting her terminally ill husband to die.
This is definitely a book I have enjoyed and would love to read books like this more often. However I do have a few issues with this novel. Firstly the prison is portrayed to be somewhere of excitement with a lounge area, individual rooms (and shared) television in the rooms with no restrictions and the access to any safe belongings from home. Is this really what a prison should be like? If this is realistic then I am shocked to say the least, prison should be a punishment not a luxury.
Secondly the issue of euthanasia although it was dealt with well (especially in the court case), the really argument of whether it is right or wrong was not raised to an extent that I would have hoped for. As a reader we are not shown what peoples view on the issue are but by the end of the book I think your view will have been formed if not before. I personally have many views on the issue both positive and negative but I shall not go into that.
July 26, 2010
This was a total heart-wrenching book.
It is about a fifty year old woman named Deborah who helps her husband of 24 years die and the consquences that it bring to her and her entire family.
I really felt bad for Deborah, she was a very likeable character, and when reading this you can't help but think about what you would do in that situation. She is totally in a lose lose situation but I don't think even she could predict how bad things would get over it. In fact if I was her, I would have been pretty peeved at him, dead or not.
I think her daughter was very unfair but then again who knows how anyone would react in that situation. There is also a small religious aspect as the character of her husband was raised Catholic and even though he wasn't a practising one, his parents were and so suicide is a big no-no for them.
The book skips between the present and the past, from when Deborah and Neil first met and got together, as well as the rest of their marriage, the good and the bad.
This was a really well written book, really thought provoking and heart-wrenching and you really do find yourself asking the question "what would i do?"
I won't give away the ending to the book but I feel quite sad now that I have finished it, it was a really good book. I would read more from this author.
9/10
It is about a fifty year old woman named Deborah who helps her husband of 24 years die and the consquences that it bring to her and her entire family.
I really felt bad for Deborah, she was a very likeable character, and when reading this you can't help but think about what you would do in that situation. She is totally in a lose lose situation but I don't think even she could predict how bad things would get over it. In fact if I was her, I would have been pretty peeved at him, dead or not.
I think her daughter was very unfair but then again who knows how anyone would react in that situation. There is also a small religious aspect as the character of her husband was raised Catholic and even though he wasn't a practising one, his parents were and so suicide is a big no-no for them.
The book skips between the present and the past, from when Deborah and Neil first met and got together, as well as the rest of their marriage, the good and the bad.
This was a really well written book, really thought provoking and heart-wrenching and you really do find yourself asking the question "what would i do?"
I won't give away the ending to the book but I feel quite sad now that I have finished it, it was a really good book. I would read more from this author.
9/10
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September 2, 2010The Kindest Thing, by Cath Staincliffe, b-plus, narrated by Anne Dover, produced by Isis Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
Deborah and Neil have been married for 18 years and lived together six years before they got married. Neil gets an incurable disease from which he might die after losing his ability to talk, swallow, walk, etc. Neil decides that he doesn’t want to wait for the natural death but wants to choose his time of ding and he wants Deborah to help him. He pressures her for months, she has all pressures as well, and finally she gives in and helps him die. Then she is arrested for murder. She must convince the jury that she was not of sound mind when she committed the murder. While the book was centered on the problems someone would have performing that kind of service for someone, but I found myself feeling angry with Neil and thinking him selfish to expect Deborah to help him, when he knew it was illegal to help someone die and when he had no idea what would await Deborah afterward. Dover’s narration is very good. She reads slowly, but her reading is so conversational that you feel as if you’re sitting in a chair beside her and she is talking to you.
Deborah and Neil have been married for 18 years and lived together six years before they got married. Neil gets an incurable disease from which he might die after losing his ability to talk, swallow, walk, etc. Neil decides that he doesn’t want to wait for the natural death but wants to choose his time of ding and he wants Deborah to help him. He pressures her for months, she has all pressures as well, and finally she gives in and helps him die. Then she is arrested for murder. She must convince the jury that she was not of sound mind when she committed the murder. While the book was centered on the problems someone would have performing that kind of service for someone, but I found myself feeling angry with Neil and thinking him selfish to expect Deborah to help him, when he knew it was illegal to help someone die and when he had no idea what would await Deborah afterward. Dover’s narration is very good. She reads slowly, but her reading is so conversational that you feel as if you’re sitting in a chair beside her and she is talking to you.
July 19, 2014
A wonderful example of anti-Catholicism at its best from a British perspective, this novel contains the usual cast of characters who support assisted suicide: a protagonist who is called a "non-believer", her dead husband who was a fallen-away Catholic, pages of attacks against Catholic sexual ethics (see pages 157-9), and frequent references to pagan deities and Greek mythological characters (see, for example, pages 58, 80, 129, 156, and 261). That the characters cannot speak coherently and logically about assisted suicide is evident in an interchange between Adam, the protagonist's son, and Deborah, his mother, accused of killing her husband. One passage illustrates the lack of logic on this issue. When Deborah says, "If I say that I did it to help him and I knew what I was doing they will find me guilty of murder”, Adam's response is the nonsensical and pathetic "That’s mental—that’s totally cracked” instead of logically recognizing that his mother’s killing of his father is just that, a killing (136).
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