Something To Live For
Roper, RichardIt wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea - working for the local council managing the funeral arrangements for those who die alone - but it suits loner Andrew Smith. Not that his colleagues think of him as a loner - following an awkward moment at the job interview, it was a case of needs must, and now he is saddled with a fictitious wife and two children. But his life, fictitious or otherwise is about to change with the arrival of a new co-worker, Peggy Green.
Quirky and poignant, this life-affirming story deftly juggles the challenges of loneliness, social isolation and the need for connection, with dark humour and warmth. [Larger font]
Pages
344
344
Year
2019
2019
Reviews
11-03-2024
Very mixed response to this. Readers found they loved parts of the story, but other parts they found annoying and not credible.
27-02-2024
Our readers generally thought the book was interesting and enjoyable but a bit tedious. Only one of the group found it slightly hilarious. It definitely was not a "must keep reading" book. It was a light read for the beginning of the year. The subject matter was very interesting as were the mix of characters and their responses to various situations. It was quite sad in many respects but ended on a nice note.
04-12-2023
An easy read and most enjoyed it.
28-11-2023
Quirky and well-written. A lot of the group enjoyed the story and of the characterisation. The office politics were hilarious. Some members didn't relate to the main character and didn't continue to read.
24-11-2023
Such a different topic but a truly interesting angle of this sad subject. It provided diverse discussion.
24-07-2023
Robust discussion! A believable story, and we enjoyed Andrew and Peggy's relationship. Enjoyed the humour and the complicated lifestyles of most characters. Many related to Andrew's made-up family - had personal experiences of similar behaviour as children.
22-05-2023
We enjoyed the way this book was written, about a subject we found fascinating, disconcerting, and knew nothing about! We liked the ending.
03-03-2023
The group really enjoyed reading this book. It was an amusing read with some well-drawn characters and events that generated some good discussions in our group.
19-12-2022
Our favourite book of the year. So many themes dealt with: loneliness, death, deceit, romance - but all done with a sense of humour and believability.
17-11-2022
Easy to read style, but thought the style was contrived. Brought together beautifully by its satisfying ending.
17-11-2022
All agreed it was easy to read, and some found it amusing. Some of our group, however, disliked it enough to not bother reading it. We found it tackled a number of issues but not entirely successfully.
08-11-2022
Most of us were not enthusiastic to begin with, but the book developed well with thought-provoking and good discussion topics. So our rating improved with reading!
31-08-2022
Most of our group thoroughly enjoyed this book. Some found it a little slow, some found it funny and others not. All found it thought-provoking and took time to reflect on loneliness and its consequences.
08-08-2022
Most people quite liked it. It wasn't at all funny though.
27-06-2022
We all loved this book.
05-06-2022
Not a topic we had given much thought to, the burial of people without friends or families, but it was dealt with in a sympathetic and humorous way as was Andrew's personal situation. We felt like giving him a bit of a shake when he felt it impossible to tell the truth. An easy read but not high on our recommended list!
11-05-2022
We all liked it, but not sure we'd recommend it ( if that makes sense!). A lonely anti-hero protagonist trying to make sense of his relationships. Thank goodness there was humour underlying throughout. Here's to friendships!!!
04-05-2022
The author chose an unusual occupation for the main character which added to the interest in the story, and the themes of grief and loneliness were well interwoven. We ALL enjoyed the book.
30-03-2022
We LOVED this book. As it says on the cover, it was brilliant, hilarious and moving, and the characters were so real. You could never live such a lie in a small town (like Te Kuiti!). Very very well-written. A great read.
30-03-2022
Overall, enjoyed by everyone, despite the frustration at all the detail. We liked the way the past story was revealed at a point of crisis.
02-03-2022
Interesting discussion although we all agreed the book was about grief rather than loneliness, and was sad rather than hilarious.
17-11-2021
Delightful book.
27-10-2021
Most people in the group enjoyed this book and found it easy to read. Created good discussion as many hadn't even really thought about this topic. A couple of members struggled with the lies and felt he could've gotten out of it earlier.
27-09-2021
Most of us enjoyed this book, and gained more insights into Andrew's character with the discussion. The book dealt with the details of lonely deaths in a sometimes quirky way. It also showed the results in Andrew's life, of not coming to terms with traumas of the past, which continue to have impact. But the book did have a hopeful ending.
08-09-2021
Slow start but a good read.
18-06-2021
An easy read with some sad lives - people dying alone.
11-06-2021
Generally well-liked by the group. It was an intriguing subject - funerals put on by a council because family members were not a part of the deceased's circle. Grief seemed to be the main theme, with the main character, Andrew, alluding to a family that it turns out he doesn't have. Quite thought provoking!
21-05-2021
A depressing subject, most could not empathise with the protagonist. But he can write, everyone finished the book and it stimulated a lively discussion.
13-05-2021
Most of our group enjoyed this book, full of great characters and the settings resonated with our members originally from the UK (more that half of our group!). Some found the main character's occupation an unpleasant part of the story whilst others found it to be fascinating. It promoted a good discussion regarding anxiety and other mental health issues.
10-05-2021
Once you got into it, it was all right. Once you understood why he was like he was, you saw where the author was coming from. A light, fun read.
22-02-2021
A nice easy read to start the year off. It makes you realise how people lose contact with friends and family so easily.
19-11-2020
Many people thoroughly enjoyed it; some thought it one of our best reads this year.