Play Book Tag discussion

This book is about a family, and each section of the book focuses on one of the four siblings. When they were kids, Daniel heard about a fortune teller who could tell you when you would die. Thinking this sounded fun, he persuaded his sibs to go with him. After each had their turn, they felt angry with the fortune teller, and they didn't even discuss the dates they were given. Throughout the book we see how the information affected each person's decisions.

Two of the kids left home very young, leaving the other two (who were in college) to take care of their mother, causing a rift in the family. It was hard for me to really like the characters (which I don't require in a book), and some of their decisions are very hard to understand, so I'm not really sure what I think about this book yet. The stories drew me in and revealed different views of the world, and that's worth at least 3 stars.

One of the most interesting aspects of the story (to me) is seeing how each person is perceived by his or her siblings. As you might guess, those perceptions are often inaccurate, especially when separated by time and geography. My family was spread out for most of our adult lives, and I'm now (several decades later) discovering new things about my siblings.

The basic premise was thought provoking. Would you want to know when you're going to die?

I have had this on my TBR maybe longer than any book I own!

I love the premise, sounds interesting, so hopefully I will get to it someday.

I would definitely not want to know when I die.
In any movie or book that features this trope it NEVER has a positive impact. Surprise me, death!

Nancy, interesting review! Your review led me to look back on my own review, as I had read the book a while ago. I found that I had given it just 2.5 stars, due to being disappointed that the sibs grew estranged from each other as adults. At the time, I was reading too many books about dysfunctional families and I wanted to find books about healthier families.

It is a thought provoking book. I hope you don't mind me giving a different view of it.

Holly R W wrote: "Nancy, interesting review! Your review led me to look back on my own review, as I had read the book a while ago. I found that I had given it just 2.5 stars, due to being disappointed that the sibs ..."

I don't mind at all! I was on the verge of 2 stars myself at one point. When I write a review, I often ask myself - what did I best about the book. That usually helps improve the rating a bit.

I would have liked it better too if they spent more time together. They might have talked about it and helped each other. My favorite part (until it went sour) was the Thanksgiving dinner where Daniel met his niece for the first time. I missed a lot of years with my niece after her parents divorced, and I love seeing her every Thanksgiving now.

I read it for a bookclub meeting tonight. I'm curious how other people felt.

Meli wrote: "I have had this on my TBR maybe longer than any book I own!

I love the premise, sounds interesting, so hopefully I will get to it someday.

In any movie or book that features this trope it NEVER has a positive impact.

..."

Well without giving any spoilers, I'd have to agree with you.

My dad died just as he was getting ready to retire. He never got to enjoy his retirement. So I sometimes think I would like to know. It might energize me to do things NOW, rather than save money for later. But it might be paralyzing instead.

My daughter recommended this short story to me, which they were studying in college. It's the same premise, about knowing when you are going to die: https://electricliterature.com/the-kn...

NancyJ - you would think that would be the result, live more fully, but seems to never be the case for some reason. Probably as you said, paralyzing.

annapi - thanks for sharing! I will check this out. I love that website.
The author of this story, Helen Phillips, wrote The Need which wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped but weird and thought-provoking.

annapi wrote: "My daughter recommended this short story to me, which they were studying in college. It's the same premise, about knowing when you are going to die: https://electricliterature.com/the-kn......"

Thanks Annapi, I'll share this with my book club.

Book club comments (from last night)- This definitely wasn't our favorite book club pick. Most liked the first half of the book more than the second half. Overall, it wasn't as life affirming as we expected, and every story seemed to get more depressing. The last story confounded all our expectations.

It turned out to be a wonderful meeting anyway. We had a great discussion of adoption (one of the stories) and end-of-life issues. One member just found her birth mother (through a dna test) and is planning to write her a letter. Two of our members had very positive experiences with hospice (one as a provider, one as a family member).

We shared recommended books: Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, When Breath Becomes Air, and This is Where I Leave You