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The Dead Wife's Handbook
Rachel, Max, and their daughter Ellie had the perfect life - until the night Rachel’s heart stopped beating. She was thirty-six.
Just as her family can’t forget her, Rachel can’t quite let go of them either. Caught in a place between worlds, Rachel watches helplessly as she begins to fade from their lives.
This fresh debut novel touches on the various stages of bereavement, from denial to acceptance. As Max and Ellie work through their grief, Rachel too struggles to come to terms with her death. And as her husband starts to date again, Rachel realizes that one day Max will find love, and that Ellie will have a new mother figure in her life.
The Dead Wife’s Handbook is a heartwarming and touching book, very commercial in its approach and a compelling read. It will touch a wide readership, and is a perfect read for fans of the bestseller The Lovely Bones.
Just as her family can’t forget her, Rachel can’t quite let go of them either. Caught in a place between worlds, Rachel watches helplessly as she begins to fade from their lives.
This fresh debut novel touches on the various stages of bereavement, from denial to acceptance. As Max and Ellie work through their grief, Rachel too struggles to come to terms with her death. And as her husband starts to date again, Rachel realizes that one day Max will find love, and that Ellie will have a new mother figure in her life.
The Dead Wife’s Handbook is a heartwarming and touching book, very commercial in its approach and a compelling read. It will touch a wide readership, and is a perfect read for fans of the bestseller The Lovely Bones.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2014
About the author
Hannah Beckerman
16 books467 followersHannah Beckerman is an author, journalist, event chair and broadcaster. In the UK she writes for a range of publications including The Observer and The FT Weekend Magazine, and appears as a book critic on BBC Radio 2 and Times Radio. She regularly chairs at literary events and panels across the UK and has judged numerous book prizes including the Costa Book Awards.
Before becoming a writer, Hannah was a TV and film producer both in the UK and the US.
She lives in London.
Before becoming a writer, Hannah was a TV and film producer both in the UK and the US.
She lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
January 6, 2015
The Dead Wife's Handbook by Hannah Beckerman is a story of love, grief and letting go. Rachel was just thirty six years old when her heart stopped beating. She was happily married to Max and a loving mother to five year old Ellie, now she floats in a void of white mist given intermittent views of her husband and daughter struggling to live without her.
The idea of a ghostly narrator is a not a new one and the story offers no real surprises. It begins to feel a bit repetitive after a while, for Max and Ellie it's one step forward, two steps back, for Rachel - endless longing and a predictable cycle of guilt, resentment and despair.
I think it was just that characters were all just too perfect - Rachel was the perfect wife and mother, Max the perfect husband and father, and Ellie, who is just too perfectly adorable for words. Oh and Eve, Eve is perfect too. Their grief often seemed too neat, too contained and Max always seemed to be able to find the right words to comfort Ellie.
I did empathise with Rachel, after all I am a mother and I would be horrified to be in her place, but for the unwary reader, particularly one recently bereaved I don't think The Dead Wife's Handbook would offer much comfort. The lessons she learns about love, life and death are true enough but cliched.
The Dead Wife's Handbook has received a plethora of positive reviews, I just wasn't feeling it.
March 10, 2016
This book is full of "perfect" characters who always say and do the right thing. The dialogue is completely unrealistic, especially for a 7/8 year old. Not to mention all of the characters had the exact same voice.
November 2, 2013
“.....I wonder, too, whether it’s more distressing to watch your family in mourning for you or whether it will be worse when, one day, they stop grieving and start living painlessly without me”.
We know from the very first page that Rachel has died unexpectedly, after a celebratory evening out with her husband Max, and is now completely alone, somewhere in the afterworld. Every so often she is briefly granted access to view moments with Max and/or Ellie and we experience with her, her grief and anger that she is no longer with them to offer reassurance and comfort.
This afterworld is not a happy place where families are reunited in death, but is bleak and lonely for Rachel and her time spent watching her loved ones are times of both happiness and agony as she sees them grieving and feels helpless in being unable to make them aware of her presence. We see her frustration and jealousy as Max starts to date again and her worries that she will be forgotten and that her memory will be slowly erased from their lives.
This is a compelling and beautifully written account of Rachel’s transition through the grieving process and watching others live the life that she will never have. Unusually, we see the aftermath of a death through the eyes of the deceased and it presents a powerful image. Having been through the grieving process myself I could identify with Rachel’s feelings of loss. The writing was perceptive and warm with some amusing moments, especially with Max’s first attempts at dating!
Despite being an incredibly poignant and sad story, this is not a morbid book by any means. The characters are a joy to spend time with, especially 6 year old Ellie, and Max’s devotion to her was lovely to see. The book isn’t all about Rachel and certainly the main characters in Rachel’s life are rounded and believable. I really felt for Max when well meaning friends and family tried to persuade him to “move on”. At the end of each stage of the grieving process, Rachel learns something about herself and it is this journey of realisation that adds an extra element to the story.
I found this an emotional and yet uplifting read and I became completely engrossed in the lives, and death, of Rachel and her family. This is an excellent debut novel which I would have no hesitation in recommending. Just one tip – make sure you have some tissues handy!
My thanks to Real Readers and the publisher, Penguin, for the review copy of this book. I certainly look forward to reading further books by Ms Beckerman.
We know from the very first page that Rachel has died unexpectedly, after a celebratory evening out with her husband Max, and is now completely alone, somewhere in the afterworld. Every so often she is briefly granted access to view moments with Max and/or Ellie and we experience with her, her grief and anger that she is no longer with them to offer reassurance and comfort.
This afterworld is not a happy place where families are reunited in death, but is bleak and lonely for Rachel and her time spent watching her loved ones are times of both happiness and agony as she sees them grieving and feels helpless in being unable to make them aware of her presence. We see her frustration and jealousy as Max starts to date again and her worries that she will be forgotten and that her memory will be slowly erased from their lives.
This is a compelling and beautifully written account of Rachel’s transition through the grieving process and watching others live the life that she will never have. Unusually, we see the aftermath of a death through the eyes of the deceased and it presents a powerful image. Having been through the grieving process myself I could identify with Rachel’s feelings of loss. The writing was perceptive and warm with some amusing moments, especially with Max’s first attempts at dating!
Despite being an incredibly poignant and sad story, this is not a morbid book by any means. The characters are a joy to spend time with, especially 6 year old Ellie, and Max’s devotion to her was lovely to see. The book isn’t all about Rachel and certainly the main characters in Rachel’s life are rounded and believable. I really felt for Max when well meaning friends and family tried to persuade him to “move on”. At the end of each stage of the grieving process, Rachel learns something about herself and it is this journey of realisation that adds an extra element to the story.
I found this an emotional and yet uplifting read and I became completely engrossed in the lives, and death, of Rachel and her family. This is an excellent debut novel which I would have no hesitation in recommending. Just one tip – make sure you have some tissues handy!
My thanks to Real Readers and the publisher, Penguin, for the review copy of this book. I certainly look forward to reading further books by Ms Beckerman.
February 10, 2014
Firstly, a massive thank you to Katie Sheldrake at Penguin and Hannah for sending me a copy of this gorgeous, gorgeous book to review.
Before we even talk about the book, how beautiful is the cover? I was definitely drawn to it and even though we’re taught not to judge a book by its cover, this cover really speaks for the book - beautiful inside and out. If you follow me on twitter you will no doubt have seen the many conversations I’ve had with other bloggers about the book, and just how great it is, and if that isn’t enough to entice you, let me tell you some more about it.
Rachel has been dead for a year now, and with her untimely death has come the ability to have vicarious access to the living world so that she can watch her husband Max and daughter Ellie cope without her and try to move on from the tragedy they’ve all been through, to get back to living their lives.
I really liked the premise of the story from the start. It’s different, particularly because your main character is usually alive, and not existing in some version of an afterlife, while they are narrating the story. Rachel’s access is sporadic and unpredictable which seemed quite harsh to begin with, as if everything is out of her control, her death that she certainly wasn’t ready for, her choice of afterlife semi-existence, and her choice of the living moments she’s allowed to view. That kind of sets the tone for the whole book, getting you instantly on Rachel’s side, allowing you to really empathise with her because after all, wouldn’t we all feel just as helpless as she is in her situation?
Rachel’s afterlife is described so eloquently that you can’t help but imagine yourself in it with her. Her character has a depth that allows you to appreciate her short life, her memories and the emotional state she find herself in almost instantly. All of the characters actually, are described really well, leaving you in no way second guessing how they are feeling and I thought that was really important in such an emotionally charged book.
“Just one more kiss, That’s all I want.”
I was on the verge of tears quite a lot throughout the book, and actually cried a handful of times as well. You go through the grieving process with the family, but I always felt like I was on Rachel’s side. Her thoughts and views on how her family were continuing with their lives became mine and I found myself, not only upset, but angry and also resentful along with her.
Although I felt very close to Rachel as the main character, my favourite was her daughter Ellie. I loved her innocence and got a real sense of it from the description of her and her actions and all of her questions about Rachel and moving on.
The story is challenging in that you find yourself asking yourself if you’ve lived the life you wanted to live, if you’ve made the impression you wanted to make. It makes you consider the “What ifs”. The unpredictability of life is something that is very tangible to every one of us and it’s something that should never be underestimated. This book really made me think about that, and made me want to make sure that everyone who is important to me knows just how important they are.
This is such an incredible story, it’s undeniably moving and thought provoking. It has the potential to change your life.
February 6, 2016
Predictable. Sad. Characters that are stereotypes. I should just stick with the presidential debates.
November 16, 2013
This is the story of the sudden, untimely demise of Rachel from a fatal cardiac arrhythmia, the journey through grief that Rachel and her family must take. This is a unique story with an interesting concept of a beyond the grave "netherworld" from where Rachel is granted "access" to view the family and friends she left behind, and see how they cope with her death and ultimately move on with their lives. Nicely based on the seven stages of grief identified by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross - shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing, acceptance - not only from the perspective of Rachel's family but also, interestingly, from Rachel's perspective as well. It's message is a potentially profound one, but, for me, it fell disappointingly flat. I keenly felt Rachel's abject loneliness being trapped alone in the "whiteness" of the netherworld, and her helplessness bearing witness to new relationships and life she so desperately still wants to be part of, moving on without her; and I liked the overall message of the book - of love being our greatest legacy, but everything in between felt devoid of real feeling and the characters (with the exception of Rachel) lacked any credible or believable substance. It was all a bit too "chick lit" for me - not my cup of tea I'm sorry to say.
January 15, 2014
‘Today is my death anniversary. A year ago today I was still alive.’As Rachel grieves for the life she’s lost and the life she’ll never lead, she learns that sometimes the thing that breaks your heart might be the very thing you hope for.
I had been looking forward to this one, something slightly out of my “comfort” zone but one that sounded like it might end up being quite beautiful in the right hands and that was exactly how it turned out.
We follow along with Rachel, who died suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart problem, as she is allowed glimpses into the lives of the people she left behind..and in this creatively imagined way we ourselves catch a glimpse into the very real stages of grief. It is a gorgeous heartwarming tale, often bringing a tear to my eye…at the same time being full of a rather hopeful cathartic feel as all concerned come to terms with tragedy.
It is quite difficult to put into words how emotive this one was for me – so I’ll try and use my own perspective to give you an insight. I lost my Father when I was very young (not nearly as young as Ellie but far too young none the less) so it was easy for me to identify with her and understand what she was going through…and indeed what Max was going through as he tried to help her and himself. Then I am a mother of children similarly aged to Ellie – the very thought of not being around to see them through their childhood is horrific. Any mother will feel the same and will therefore be able to relate to Rachel, looking down occasionally but being unable to take back what was lost.
This novel captures the sense of so many things – love, loss, friendship, sadness, and hope..and how all things move forward over time. A tale of grief told from a unique perspective, beautifully written, heartfelt and impassioned, this one will have you reaching for the tissues..some of those tears will be happy ones. Most of all this is about love…and how sometimes that means letting go…
Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
I had been looking forward to this one, something slightly out of my “comfort” zone but one that sounded like it might end up being quite beautiful in the right hands and that was exactly how it turned out.
We follow along with Rachel, who died suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart problem, as she is allowed glimpses into the lives of the people she left behind..and in this creatively imagined way we ourselves catch a glimpse into the very real stages of grief. It is a gorgeous heartwarming tale, often bringing a tear to my eye…at the same time being full of a rather hopeful cathartic feel as all concerned come to terms with tragedy.
It is quite difficult to put into words how emotive this one was for me – so I’ll try and use my own perspective to give you an insight. I lost my Father when I was very young (not nearly as young as Ellie but far too young none the less) so it was easy for me to identify with her and understand what she was going through…and indeed what Max was going through as he tried to help her and himself. Then I am a mother of children similarly aged to Ellie – the very thought of not being around to see them through their childhood is horrific. Any mother will feel the same and will therefore be able to relate to Rachel, looking down occasionally but being unable to take back what was lost.
This novel captures the sense of so many things – love, loss, friendship, sadness, and hope..and how all things move forward over time. A tale of grief told from a unique perspective, beautifully written, heartfelt and impassioned, this one will have you reaching for the tissues..some of those tears will be happy ones. Most of all this is about love…and how sometimes that means letting go…
Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
January 28, 2014
I have reviewed this book here: http://mygoodbookshelf.wordpress.com/...
August 10, 2020
I really enjoyed this book but a few niggles prevent me from giving it 5 stars.
It was an interesting concept for a novel being introduced to the narrator who you discover has died suddenly of a heart arrhythmia at the age of 36 years. Rachel is stuck in a “netherworld” and is allowed various glimpses on those that she has left behind. The book goes through the seven stages of grief - Shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing and acceptance both for Rachel and her family/friends left behind.
The characters were written with great depth and you do empathise with them. I loved the overall narrative and the eventual realisation that even when dead, you leave an imprint on the people you leave behind even if their lives move on without you.
My main issues were that the characters were just a little too perfect and sometimes the conversations felt a little too scripted. No parent knows how to say the perfect thing all the time! Who cannot help but love Max. Their relationship was “perfect” or do we just look back with rose tinted glasses? Ellie who is invariably described as munchkin, sweetheart and pumpkin was just a little too perfect as well. I loved that she was inquisitive and asked the difficult questions but just think there needed to be a little more grit and depth when exploring her anger and the upset of those left behind.
It would also be nice to have a further conclusion to find out what happened to some of the other characters.
It was an interesting concept for a novel being introduced to the narrator who you discover has died suddenly of a heart arrhythmia at the age of 36 years. Rachel is stuck in a “netherworld” and is allowed various glimpses on those that she has left behind. The book goes through the seven stages of grief - Shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing and acceptance both for Rachel and her family/friends left behind.
The characters were written with great depth and you do empathise with them. I loved the overall narrative and the eventual realisation that even when dead, you leave an imprint on the people you leave behind even if their lives move on without you.
My main issues were that the characters were just a little too perfect and sometimes the conversations felt a little too scripted. No parent knows how to say the perfect thing all the time! Who cannot help but love Max. Their relationship was “perfect” or do we just look back with rose tinted glasses? Ellie who is invariably described as munchkin, sweetheart and pumpkin was just a little too perfect as well. I loved that she was inquisitive and asked the difficult questions but just think there needed to be a little more grit and depth when exploring her anger and the upset of those left behind.
It would also be nice to have a further conclusion to find out what happened to some of the other characters.
February 10, 2014
Rachel is dead. She looks down from above as her husband, Max and her seven year old daughter, Ellie, try to continue their lives without her. She feels the pain as much as anyone alive would, maybe even more. It's raw, intense and heartbreaking. Unlike the living, there is no way to send her loved ones a message. She has no control over when she can see them, sometimes months going by. Then things start to get very emotional as she watches her husband dip his feet back into the dating world....
" My mind surrenders to an army of schizophrenic thoughts. Rationally I know that I'm dead, that Max is a widower, that he's free to pursue other relationships. Rationally I don't want him to be unhappy, in mourning and lonely forever. But those rational feelings aren't sufficiently robust to repel an onslaught of irrational impulses, that Max has betrayed me, that he's moved on too quickly, that he's desecrated the memory of our marriage with this act of emotional and physical treachery. And stoking the flames of envy's fury are those repetitive, invidious images of what I presume took place last night. "
This novel explores the deepest thoughts of Rachel, as she has no choice but to be a witness at the changing lives of her family. We see Max and Ellie try to move on with their lives but we also see Rachel's mother, who is grief stricken and alone, many miles away from her grandaughter and any link she had to Rachel. We also see Rachel's best friend, of many years, as she struggles with Max's new life and all that entails.
The main characters, however, are Max and Ellie. When I read the first few chapters I couldn't help but think of the discussions I have had with my own husband about whether I would want him finding someone new after my death, or whether he should stay a faithful widower. We are expected to say we want them to move on with their lives and find happiness if we are taken from them early. That may not be what we are really thinking though, as to watch the love of your life meet someone new scares the hell out of some of us. Maybe we would never know. May not be able to see anything when we have passed on. Who knows?
This novel will make you think about it a bit more. It might even make you appreciate what you have, even more than usual.
" My mind surrenders to an army of schizophrenic thoughts. Rationally I know that I'm dead, that Max is a widower, that he's free to pursue other relationships. Rationally I don't want him to be unhappy, in mourning and lonely forever. But those rational feelings aren't sufficiently robust to repel an onslaught of irrational impulses, that Max has betrayed me, that he's moved on too quickly, that he's desecrated the memory of our marriage with this act of emotional and physical treachery. And stoking the flames of envy's fury are those repetitive, invidious images of what I presume took place last night. "
This novel explores the deepest thoughts of Rachel, as she has no choice but to be a witness at the changing lives of her family. We see Max and Ellie try to move on with their lives but we also see Rachel's mother, who is grief stricken and alone, many miles away from her grandaughter and any link she had to Rachel. We also see Rachel's best friend, of many years, as she struggles with Max's new life and all that entails.
The main characters, however, are Max and Ellie. When I read the first few chapters I couldn't help but think of the discussions I have had with my own husband about whether I would want him finding someone new after my death, or whether he should stay a faithful widower. We are expected to say we want them to move on with their lives and find happiness if we are taken from them early. That may not be what we are really thinking though, as to watch the love of your life meet someone new scares the hell out of some of us. Maybe we would never know. May not be able to see anything when we have passed on. Who knows?
This novel will make you think about it a bit more. It might even make you appreciate what you have, even more than usual.
February 6, 2014
I really like the concept of this book. Having lost my Mum in 2010, I often think of her and wonder if she’s watching over me. I like to think she is. Hannah writes this story so beautifully and with such tenderness, it really made me believe that my Mum is still around me.
Little Ellie is so wise, so inquisitive and contemplative. I love the way she thinks about things and the non-stop questions when she is gripped by a topic. I felt like I had shared all the happy times with her and Rachel. She is exactly what I’d like to think my own little girl would be like one day. Max is a lovely character and such a wonderful husband and father. He really is so warm and gentle with Ellie and all of the people in his life who loved his late wife. Connor and Harriet are such great supporting characters too. I wish I had a Harriet in my life!
I laughed, cried, smiled, remembered and felt. I love books that make me feel! I have recently been criticized for giving too many 5 star reviews, but I can’t help it! There are too many amazing books out there now! This is certainly another one of them!
A beautiful, heart warming, tender, bitter sweet story of love and loss! 5/5
Little Ellie is so wise, so inquisitive and contemplative. I love the way she thinks about things and the non-stop questions when she is gripped by a topic. I felt like I had shared all the happy times with her and Rachel. She is exactly what I’d like to think my own little girl would be like one day. Max is a lovely character and such a wonderful husband and father. He really is so warm and gentle with Ellie and all of the people in his life who loved his late wife. Connor and Harriet are such great supporting characters too. I wish I had a Harriet in my life!
I laughed, cried, smiled, remembered and felt. I love books that make me feel! I have recently been criticized for giving too many 5 star reviews, but I can’t help it! There are too many amazing books out there now! This is certainly another one of them!
A beautiful, heart warming, tender, bitter sweet story of love and loss! 5/5
February 3, 2015
Note: The Dead Wife's Handbook has been sat on my Kindle since release, one of those books I planned on reading but just never got round to. Hannah Beckerman recently wrote this brilliant article about the lack of reviews for books written by women in serious publications. A quick look through my reviews since late March (2014), when I started the blog, shows that out of the 200+ reviews I have posted, there's a pretty even balance for male and female authors, with just a couple more for female. I read what I want to read, and as such I am a male reader that loves Chick Lit/Women's Fiction and so am fully behind #ReviewWomen2015 and think it's great.
Review: So to the book then and it's one that I am finding very difficult to discuss. I read just one review of this book before starting it because I think you need to go into it without having the opinions of others in the back of your mind, as I find that can often influence how I feel about a book. I did want to form my own opinion with this, and it's a book that will effect people in various ways depending on where they are in life, whether they themselves are married or have children, and how we have all experienced death in our lives. Ultimately though I would hope most of us take from the book the same message and we will all value and appreciate our loved ones so much more after finishing this book.
The idea behind the book is interesting, if a little confusing in the beginning when we are introduced to Rachel, who is dead, and almost stuck in limbo in this white space that every so often opens to allow her to follow the lives of her husband Max and daughter Ellie but there's no real explanation as to where she is or why. Rachel cannot see everything that Max and Ellie are doing, but is mostly given access to those moments that will provoke the biggest reaction in her, the ones that will anger her, break her heart, torture her, and remind her of the love she has for her family and what she has lost and as the book is split into sections titled in order of the stages of grief, it does work quite well even if it is a little formulaic.
I actually found it a little uncomfortable reading it in the beginning and have to say that if I'd experienced the loss of a parent I probably wouldn't have read on. My mum was pretty open about death from a young age, never sugarcoating anything the way some parents can but I have always had the belief that something about a person remains behind when they die, and the idea of someone you love watching over you in this way, and having feelings of resentfulness and jealousy is quite difficult to think about. We all want that comfort to grasp onto when somebody we love dies. I have to say though that despite these thoughts I was compelled to read on, almost like Rachel, I didn't want to look away and as my thoughts and emotions jumped all over the place as I read, that compulsion didn't leave me until I reached the final page.
I have to be honest and say that for the first half of the book I didn't like Rachel much. I did find her selfish with some of the things she was thinking but then I began to understand her by putting myself in that situation. It's easy to say to a loved one whilst alive that you would want them to find happiness again if you died, but another thing entirely to then find yourself dead and forced to watch that start to happen. I felt at times that Rachel's reactions towards what Max was doing were almost how she would react if he was cheating on her or if she was alive and it took her a while to see things as, well, a dead woman. Max had no idea his dead wife was watching what he was doing. I often find myself over thinking books and it'd be interesting to see how Rachel would have acted as the widow. It was only as the book progressed, and Rachel started going through the various stages of grief that I completely and utterly felt for her, my heart ached and I had a permanent lump in my throat for near enough the remainder of the book. Also I actually think my thoughts would be pretty much the same as Rachel's had I been in this situation. I'd probably liken it to waking up during surgery but being unable to move or communicate to tell the surgeon you can feel the pain. Rachel was unable to reach out and communicate with Max and Ellie and that was awful.
The story is very much about Rachel's acceptance of death, and how she must embrace it and come to terms with the fact that her family will move on and live their lives without her and it was probably her thinking back over her favourite memories as she does this that was a highlight for me because in amongst everything that's going on there are some beautiful moments and also some funny moments, at times Rachel makes some amusingly realistic comments about Max's attempts at moving on, which does add some lighter moments to what can be a rather draining read. Rachel and Max's daughter, Ellie, was a standout character for me and her relationship with her father was just a joy to read. Losing a parent at any age is horrible but for a young child it's incomprehensible and I completely felt for Ellie, who asks some difficult questions in that way only a child can do and at times I really felt her grief. Max and Ellie have each other whereas Rachel is stuck, alone, I had to read this book in just two sittings, I needed that break in between but could not have stopped reading this book overnight as I would have been wide awake thinking about it. It is fairly obvious where the book will eventually lead and I needed to get to that conclusion, to the acceptance stage, but there's also something comforting about that as well as we go on this journey with the characters. This is a remarkable book, one that as I said will provoke different reactions from different people, and one that I could discuss for hours. Hannah Beckerman clearly has massive talent and I for one can't wait to read more from her (though I believe a new book is very far off).
Having finished my review I have read some from my fellow bloggers, here's some of my favourites: Erin's Choice , Leah Loves , I Heart... Chick Lit and This Chick Reads .
Review: So to the book then and it's one that I am finding very difficult to discuss. I read just one review of this book before starting it because I think you need to go into it without having the opinions of others in the back of your mind, as I find that can often influence how I feel about a book. I did want to form my own opinion with this, and it's a book that will effect people in various ways depending on where they are in life, whether they themselves are married or have children, and how we have all experienced death in our lives. Ultimately though I would hope most of us take from the book the same message and we will all value and appreciate our loved ones so much more after finishing this book.
The idea behind the book is interesting, if a little confusing in the beginning when we are introduced to Rachel, who is dead, and almost stuck in limbo in this white space that every so often opens to allow her to follow the lives of her husband Max and daughter Ellie but there's no real explanation as to where she is or why. Rachel cannot see everything that Max and Ellie are doing, but is mostly given access to those moments that will provoke the biggest reaction in her, the ones that will anger her, break her heart, torture her, and remind her of the love she has for her family and what she has lost and as the book is split into sections titled in order of the stages of grief, it does work quite well even if it is a little formulaic.
I actually found it a little uncomfortable reading it in the beginning and have to say that if I'd experienced the loss of a parent I probably wouldn't have read on. My mum was pretty open about death from a young age, never sugarcoating anything the way some parents can but I have always had the belief that something about a person remains behind when they die, and the idea of someone you love watching over you in this way, and having feelings of resentfulness and jealousy is quite difficult to think about. We all want that comfort to grasp onto when somebody we love dies. I have to say though that despite these thoughts I was compelled to read on, almost like Rachel, I didn't want to look away and as my thoughts and emotions jumped all over the place as I read, that compulsion didn't leave me until I reached the final page.
I have to be honest and say that for the first half of the book I didn't like Rachel much. I did find her selfish with some of the things she was thinking but then I began to understand her by putting myself in that situation. It's easy to say to a loved one whilst alive that you would want them to find happiness again if you died, but another thing entirely to then find yourself dead and forced to watch that start to happen. I felt at times that Rachel's reactions towards what Max was doing were almost how she would react if he was cheating on her or if she was alive and it took her a while to see things as, well, a dead woman. Max had no idea his dead wife was watching what he was doing. I often find myself over thinking books and it'd be interesting to see how Rachel would have acted as the widow. It was only as the book progressed, and Rachel started going through the various stages of grief that I completely and utterly felt for her, my heart ached and I had a permanent lump in my throat for near enough the remainder of the book. Also I actually think my thoughts would be pretty much the same as Rachel's had I been in this situation. I'd probably liken it to waking up during surgery but being unable to move or communicate to tell the surgeon you can feel the pain. Rachel was unable to reach out and communicate with Max and Ellie and that was awful.
The story is very much about Rachel's acceptance of death, and how she must embrace it and come to terms with the fact that her family will move on and live their lives without her and it was probably her thinking back over her favourite memories as she does this that was a highlight for me because in amongst everything that's going on there are some beautiful moments and also some funny moments, at times Rachel makes some amusingly realistic comments about Max's attempts at moving on, which does add some lighter moments to what can be a rather draining read. Rachel and Max's daughter, Ellie, was a standout character for me and her relationship with her father was just a joy to read. Losing a parent at any age is horrible but for a young child it's incomprehensible and I completely felt for Ellie, who asks some difficult questions in that way only a child can do and at times I really felt her grief. Max and Ellie have each other whereas Rachel is stuck, alone, I had to read this book in just two sittings, I needed that break in between but could not have stopped reading this book overnight as I would have been wide awake thinking about it. It is fairly obvious where the book will eventually lead and I needed to get to that conclusion, to the acceptance stage, but there's also something comforting about that as well as we go on this journey with the characters. This is a remarkable book, one that as I said will provoke different reactions from different people, and one that I could discuss for hours. Hannah Beckerman clearly has massive talent and I for one can't wait to read more from her (though I believe a new book is very far off).
Having finished my review I have read some from my fellow bloggers, here's some of my favourites: Erin's Choice , Leah Loves , I Heart... Chick Lit and This Chick Reads .
February 14, 2014
I had been interested in The Dead Wife’s Handbook long before I read it, I’d heard so many good things about it and I was SO intrigued by not only the title but the blurb on the back too, it sounded so fascinating and I couldn’t wait to get started.
Rachel had the perfect life – a husband she loved with all of her heart and their beautiful daughter Ellie. Things were beautiful and their life was perfect – until the moment Rachel’s heart stopped beating. Now Max and Ellie are struggling to get used to life without her, and it isn’t just them who are finding it hard. Rachel may be dead but she is stuck, left to watch fragments of their life helplessly without being able to be involved. And when Max is persuaded be family and friends to start dating again, Rachel finds that she is helpless as life begins to move on without her…
Wow. I went through such a range of emotions whilst reading this book. As Rachel is the narrator of the story, we see what she sees and so it was easy to relate to her. Over the course of the book I felt very close to her as I knew all of her thoughts and feelings. I felt so sad for her as her emotions radiated from the pages and seeped into me as well – I felt so sad that she couldn’t be there for her daughter, my heart ached as I realised Rachel wouldn’t be there for her as she grew up and be able to experience all the important moments in Ellie’s life. I had mixed feelings on Max dating again in the beginning, yes no one would want their husband to be sad and upset forever but oh how my heart broke for Rachel, to know that the absolute love of her life was beginning to go out and meet other women. I thought about how I personally would feel, I could feel Rachel’s frustrations and I could really relate to her in that moment.
I loved Rachel and Max’s daughter Ellie, I felt for her from the beginning and on many occasions I wanted to reach into the book, sweep her up into a hug and try to comfort her. My heart literally broke for her as she came to the realisation that her mum would never be returning.
Every aspect of grief is very well written about, Hannah has really captured this perfectly and the entire story is a compelling and emotional journey, not only for Rachel, Max and Ellie, but for me too. I genuinely felt so touched and moved by the story.
It is not all sadness though, there some very uplifting moments, and it is wonderful to spend some time with the characters! Ellie was my favourite, I loved her happier moments, the times that she got to have fun and enjoy herself.
This is true story of grief, but also of learning, of remembering the happy times, and of acceptance too. The Dead Wife’s Handbook is a captivating story that will take you on an emotional journey. I’m looking forward to reading more from Hannah.
Rachel had the perfect life – a husband she loved with all of her heart and their beautiful daughter Ellie. Things were beautiful and their life was perfect – until the moment Rachel’s heart stopped beating. Now Max and Ellie are struggling to get used to life without her, and it isn’t just them who are finding it hard. Rachel may be dead but she is stuck, left to watch fragments of their life helplessly without being able to be involved. And when Max is persuaded be family and friends to start dating again, Rachel finds that she is helpless as life begins to move on without her…
Wow. I went through such a range of emotions whilst reading this book. As Rachel is the narrator of the story, we see what she sees and so it was easy to relate to her. Over the course of the book I felt very close to her as I knew all of her thoughts and feelings. I felt so sad for her as her emotions radiated from the pages and seeped into me as well – I felt so sad that she couldn’t be there for her daughter, my heart ached as I realised Rachel wouldn’t be there for her as she grew up and be able to experience all the important moments in Ellie’s life. I had mixed feelings on Max dating again in the beginning, yes no one would want their husband to be sad and upset forever but oh how my heart broke for Rachel, to know that the absolute love of her life was beginning to go out and meet other women. I thought about how I personally would feel, I could feel Rachel’s frustrations and I could really relate to her in that moment.
I loved Rachel and Max’s daughter Ellie, I felt for her from the beginning and on many occasions I wanted to reach into the book, sweep her up into a hug and try to comfort her. My heart literally broke for her as she came to the realisation that her mum would never be returning.
Every aspect of grief is very well written about, Hannah has really captured this perfectly and the entire story is a compelling and emotional journey, not only for Rachel, Max and Ellie, but for me too. I genuinely felt so touched and moved by the story.
It is not all sadness though, there some very uplifting moments, and it is wonderful to spend some time with the characters! Ellie was my favourite, I loved her happier moments, the times that she got to have fun and enjoy herself.
This is true story of grief, but also of learning, of remembering the happy times, and of acceptance too. The Dead Wife’s Handbook is a captivating story that will take you on an emotional journey. I’m looking forward to reading more from Hannah.
February 13, 2014
www.iheart-chicklit.blogspot.com
I was so thrilled to be offered a review copy of Hannah Beckerman’s debut novel, The Dead Wife’s Handbook, which sounds like an amazing read, judging from the blurb. It’s a completely different side of women’s fiction I was excited to explore and it really did open my eyes to what the more emotional, darker side (not in a bad way!) of chick lit had to offer!
The Dead Wife’s Handbook follows the story of Rachel, who dies unexpectedly, leaving behind her beloved husband and the apple of her eye, Ellie, her daughter. As she watches from above, she witnesses her loved ones coping with grief, afraid of moving on, while she painfully undergoes the seven stages of grief. Well, because her death and sudden departure is just the beginning of her problems..
Before reading the entire book, I thought it would be about a deceased heroine, struggling with life after death. But I was so wrong. I was completely thrown when I realised that there’s so much more when it comes to Rachel’s side of her story. Her story doesn’t end after her death. No, Hannah Beckerman tells it through poignant, yet nostalgic vignettes that will allow us readers to glimpse into Rachel’s life as a wife, mother and friend, pre-arrhythmia, through a series of flashbacks and reminiscences.
Right from the start, I could really “connect” with Rachel. As a reader to character, if that makes any sense. There were parts in the novel, which were written so achingly painful, my heart went out to her, and some parts made me clench my fists, defensive and protective of Rachel’s feelings. All I’m saying is that the characters in the book are incredibly “real”, written with such precise touch.
The Dead Wife’s Handbook is filled with emotion, raw and real, which will no doubt be the tearjerker of the year, if you ask me. Hannah Beckerman, a supposed debut novelist has made her mark in women’s fiction with such a beautifully written novel which will no doubt tug your heartstrings. I adored this book so much because it’s such a treasure to read. Hannah Beckerman’s writing flows smoothly through the pages and if you read aloud, it’s even poetic (I might have read a few chapters.. aloud!), with elegant and lyrical prose.
All in all, The Dead Wife’s Handbook is truly remarkable and unforgettable. An emotional roller coaster which will linger in the little memory box in your head, provoking you to think of the “what ifs”. An exceptional debut novel, if you ask me. I think I’ve run out of superlatives to describe the book. My parting words: Go get it!
I was so thrilled to be offered a review copy of Hannah Beckerman’s debut novel, The Dead Wife’s Handbook, which sounds like an amazing read, judging from the blurb. It’s a completely different side of women’s fiction I was excited to explore and it really did open my eyes to what the more emotional, darker side (not in a bad way!) of chick lit had to offer!
The Dead Wife’s Handbook follows the story of Rachel, who dies unexpectedly, leaving behind her beloved husband and the apple of her eye, Ellie, her daughter. As she watches from above, she witnesses her loved ones coping with grief, afraid of moving on, while she painfully undergoes the seven stages of grief. Well, because her death and sudden departure is just the beginning of her problems..
Before reading the entire book, I thought it would be about a deceased heroine, struggling with life after death. But I was so wrong. I was completely thrown when I realised that there’s so much more when it comes to Rachel’s side of her story. Her story doesn’t end after her death. No, Hannah Beckerman tells it through poignant, yet nostalgic vignettes that will allow us readers to glimpse into Rachel’s life as a wife, mother and friend, pre-arrhythmia, through a series of flashbacks and reminiscences.
Right from the start, I could really “connect” with Rachel. As a reader to character, if that makes any sense. There were parts in the novel, which were written so achingly painful, my heart went out to her, and some parts made me clench my fists, defensive and protective of Rachel’s feelings. All I’m saying is that the characters in the book are incredibly “real”, written with such precise touch.
The Dead Wife’s Handbook is filled with emotion, raw and real, which will no doubt be the tearjerker of the year, if you ask me. Hannah Beckerman, a supposed debut novelist has made her mark in women’s fiction with such a beautifully written novel which will no doubt tug your heartstrings. I adored this book so much because it’s such a treasure to read. Hannah Beckerman’s writing flows smoothly through the pages and if you read aloud, it’s even poetic (I might have read a few chapters.. aloud!), with elegant and lyrical prose.
All in all, The Dead Wife’s Handbook is truly remarkable and unforgettable. An emotional roller coaster which will linger in the little memory box in your head, provoking you to think of the “what ifs”. An exceptional debut novel, if you ask me. I think I’ve run out of superlatives to describe the book. My parting words: Go get it!
October 11, 2013
The Dead Wife’s Handbook encompasses a thirty-six year old woman, Rachel, who died after suffering a heart arrhythmia. Predominantly the story is about her grief and sincere regret about leaving her husband, Max behind and their seven year old daughter, Ellie. Rachel is left in limbo and although she can flit between life on earth and the white stratosphere which she knows as death she will never be able to hold her family close, or enjoy any golden time with them again and she feels selfish for exiting their lives prematurely.
I received an advanced reading copy from Real Readers and after looking at the blurb I couldn’t wait to get stuck in to the book. I anticipated that it would be a poignant and heart warming story of how a young mother and wife was taken much too soon from her picture perfect family. I feel that the plot is excellent, although unfortunately I found it rather irksome, namely the way each chapter ultimately ended upon the same note which were Rachel’s reflections of memories, being a spectator in her family’s life, and what life after death is like.
Admittedly there were some very enjoyable parts of the book, I felt that the characters worked very well and had good relationships together. I would have liked to have been presented with some more information about the characters at the end (I can only say this without giving anything away.)
Overall, my thoughts of the Dead Wife’s Handbook are that it is repetitive and predictable, it would have been more effective for me with less narration from Rachel.
I received an advanced reading copy from Real Readers and after looking at the blurb I couldn’t wait to get stuck in to the book. I anticipated that it would be a poignant and heart warming story of how a young mother and wife was taken much too soon from her picture perfect family. I feel that the plot is excellent, although unfortunately I found it rather irksome, namely the way each chapter ultimately ended upon the same note which were Rachel’s reflections of memories, being a spectator in her family’s life, and what life after death is like.
Admittedly there were some very enjoyable parts of the book, I felt that the characters worked very well and had good relationships together. I would have liked to have been presented with some more information about the characters at the end (I can only say this without giving anything away.)
Overall, my thoughts of the Dead Wife’s Handbook are that it is repetitive and predictable, it would have been more effective for me with less narration from Rachel.
February 6, 2014
I was looking forward to this book based on the blurb, however despite leaving it several times and coming back to it, this is one of those exceedingly rare books I have not been able to finish.
‘Today is my death anniversary. A year ago today I was still alive.’ Written from Rachel's perspective as, caught up in some hellish purgatory, she watches her young daughter and husband grieve, heal and then move on with life I found the idea that she was watching, filled with jealousy and pain, far to uncomfortable to cope with. I should say at this point that my own sister died young, leaving young children so maybe this book was too close for comfort.
I will keep this book on my shelf and try again one day but for now this is not a book for me
‘Today is my death anniversary. A year ago today I was still alive.’ Written from Rachel's perspective as, caught up in some hellish purgatory, she watches her young daughter and husband grieve, heal and then move on with life I found the idea that she was watching, filled with jealousy and pain, far to uncomfortable to cope with. I should say at this point that my own sister died young, leaving young children so maybe this book was too close for comfort.
I will keep this book on my shelf and try again one day but for now this is not a book for me
January 28, 2015
Originally posted on http://beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk/
Since beginning my blog, Becca's Books, and a very long time before that, I have read hundreds and hundreds of books. I've read romance, drama, mystery, thrillers, horrors and even the odd crime book on occasion. I've experienced love, betrayal, fear, excitement and heart-break, all at the hands of those incredible authors who have managed to somehow, with their words and characters, envelope me within a million different worlds, all whilst I'm sat in the comfort of my own home. I've cried, I've laughed, I've clasped a hand over a shocked mouth and I've even, during a fair few, fallen head over heels in love. But never, and I mean never, have I closed a book and been left to feel the way that I did when I closed The Dead Wife's Handbook. I cannot even begin to describe the onslaught of emotions I experienced as I turned the pages of this story again and again, delving deeper and deeper into a story that has changed me for the better. This book, and Hannah's stunning writing, has left a mark on me that I know will never go away. This is one of those books that will wriggle relentlessly and break through the barriers of all that you think you know about life and all that it entails. One of those books that will, without a doubt, be stored in my mind forever more, and be mentioned to others again and again, brought up in conversation, referred to repeatedly, It is a book that I know will remain in the depths of my heart, as well as in my being, for a very long time, if not always. In all of the previous books that I've had the pleasure of reading, I've taken something away from each of them, but I think that this time, The Dead Wife's Handbook has taken away a little piece of me and captured it between the pages.
When Rachel's story begins, one year has passed since her tragic death. One year since her heart suddenly stopped beating, and she was no longer on earth with her husband Max and their daughter Ellie. When we meet Rachel, it becomes clear that she is somewhere otherworldly. Surrounded by white, completely alone but for her memories and feelings, Rachel is somewhere between the world and whatever lies on the opposite side. I've read books like this before, where the author places their character in a place that some would know as the 'in-between', and it never fails to make me sit up straight and pay close attention. As the story progresses, it becomes clear to the reader that even though Rachel is no longer alive and on earth with her loved ones, someone or something is allowing her to look down and watch her family as they grieve and attempt to slowly move forward with their lives. This, in itself, was utterly heartbreaking, yet each and every time the white clouds that surrounded Rachel began to disperse, I became even more enchanted and felt just as eager as Rachel to see how Ellie, Max, and the rest of their family and friends were coping. In a nutshell, The Dead Wife's Handbook follows Rachel through some of the most bitter-sweet moments she has ever known; from seeing Max fall in love with another woman, to witnessing her darling, darling girl Ellie placing flowers at her headstone.
The emotions that Rachel experiences as she watches her family trying to come to terms with her death were gut-twistingly real and raw. I swear, every emotion that the dear woman felt, I felt it too. It was like I was perching up above the clouds with Rachel, watching every single feeling pass over her face as she watched the scenes unfold below. Hannah's descriptions of Rachel's memories were absolutely beautiful, tender and warm, and all the more capable of splitting my heart into two. Rachel talked about when she and Max first met, Ellie's birth, their holidays and celebrations, and this opened up an entire history, making these characters more believable than ever. As Rachel relayed their beautiful past, it became even harder for me to come to terms with the fact that she was no longer on earth with her family, almost as hard as it was for Rachel to come to terms with it.
From beginning to end, this book was an overwhelming roller-coaster of truths. Hannah split Rachel's story into parts, all titled with, what I interpreted as, the steps of the grieving process, and it wasn't long until I realised that it wasn't only the people left on earth who were grieving for Rachel, but Rachel herself was grieving too, for the life that she'd left behind, and the family, and all of the hopes and dreams that she hadn't had the chance to pursue. It was painful, for me, to read Rachel's first person narrative, to have her feelings flow through my body as if they were my own, and to also be invited to look down upon her family as their lives continued. I don't think I've ever been so affected by a book before now, and all I can say is that I can't believe I left it so long before I finally read it. The characters, the circumstances, the moments that Rachel knew were coming but couldn't bear to witness... It all came together in the end to wring every last tear from me.
Becca's Books is rating The Dead Wife's Handbook by Hannah Beckerman with FIVE SCRUMMY CUPCAKES! And then some... This book had it all. From the emotional trauma to the beautiful realisation that life, after all, is just a fleeting moment in time, and you need to live it completely and utterly to the fullest. Make memories, laugh, love, and enjoy every single tiny millisecond, because if Rachel's experiences from up above were true, then I'd want to be left in that white space with all of my favourite memories to remember again and again. Hannah Beckerman, I absolutely salute you. This was a glittering masterpiece of a book, overflowing with pure, unconditional love.
Since beginning my blog, Becca's Books, and a very long time before that, I have read hundreds and hundreds of books. I've read romance, drama, mystery, thrillers, horrors and even the odd crime book on occasion. I've experienced love, betrayal, fear, excitement and heart-break, all at the hands of those incredible authors who have managed to somehow, with their words and characters, envelope me within a million different worlds, all whilst I'm sat in the comfort of my own home. I've cried, I've laughed, I've clasped a hand over a shocked mouth and I've even, during a fair few, fallen head over heels in love. But never, and I mean never, have I closed a book and been left to feel the way that I did when I closed The Dead Wife's Handbook. I cannot even begin to describe the onslaught of emotions I experienced as I turned the pages of this story again and again, delving deeper and deeper into a story that has changed me for the better. This book, and Hannah's stunning writing, has left a mark on me that I know will never go away. This is one of those books that will wriggle relentlessly and break through the barriers of all that you think you know about life and all that it entails. One of those books that will, without a doubt, be stored in my mind forever more, and be mentioned to others again and again, brought up in conversation, referred to repeatedly, It is a book that I know will remain in the depths of my heart, as well as in my being, for a very long time, if not always. In all of the previous books that I've had the pleasure of reading, I've taken something away from each of them, but I think that this time, The Dead Wife's Handbook has taken away a little piece of me and captured it between the pages.
When Rachel's story begins, one year has passed since her tragic death. One year since her heart suddenly stopped beating, and she was no longer on earth with her husband Max and their daughter Ellie. When we meet Rachel, it becomes clear that she is somewhere otherworldly. Surrounded by white, completely alone but for her memories and feelings, Rachel is somewhere between the world and whatever lies on the opposite side. I've read books like this before, where the author places their character in a place that some would know as the 'in-between', and it never fails to make me sit up straight and pay close attention. As the story progresses, it becomes clear to the reader that even though Rachel is no longer alive and on earth with her loved ones, someone or something is allowing her to look down and watch her family as they grieve and attempt to slowly move forward with their lives. This, in itself, was utterly heartbreaking, yet each and every time the white clouds that surrounded Rachel began to disperse, I became even more enchanted and felt just as eager as Rachel to see how Ellie, Max, and the rest of their family and friends were coping. In a nutshell, The Dead Wife's Handbook follows Rachel through some of the most bitter-sweet moments she has ever known; from seeing Max fall in love with another woman, to witnessing her darling, darling girl Ellie placing flowers at her headstone.
The emotions that Rachel experiences as she watches her family trying to come to terms with her death were gut-twistingly real and raw. I swear, every emotion that the dear woman felt, I felt it too. It was like I was perching up above the clouds with Rachel, watching every single feeling pass over her face as she watched the scenes unfold below. Hannah's descriptions of Rachel's memories were absolutely beautiful, tender and warm, and all the more capable of splitting my heart into two. Rachel talked about when she and Max first met, Ellie's birth, their holidays and celebrations, and this opened up an entire history, making these characters more believable than ever. As Rachel relayed their beautiful past, it became even harder for me to come to terms with the fact that she was no longer on earth with her family, almost as hard as it was for Rachel to come to terms with it.
From beginning to end, this book was an overwhelming roller-coaster of truths. Hannah split Rachel's story into parts, all titled with, what I interpreted as, the steps of the grieving process, and it wasn't long until I realised that it wasn't only the people left on earth who were grieving for Rachel, but Rachel herself was grieving too, for the life that she'd left behind, and the family, and all of the hopes and dreams that she hadn't had the chance to pursue. It was painful, for me, to read Rachel's first person narrative, to have her feelings flow through my body as if they were my own, and to also be invited to look down upon her family as their lives continued. I don't think I've ever been so affected by a book before now, and all I can say is that I can't believe I left it so long before I finally read it. The characters, the circumstances, the moments that Rachel knew were coming but couldn't bear to witness... It all came together in the end to wring every last tear from me.
Becca's Books is rating The Dead Wife's Handbook by Hannah Beckerman with FIVE SCRUMMY CUPCAKES! And then some... This book had it all. From the emotional trauma to the beautiful realisation that life, after all, is just a fleeting moment in time, and you need to live it completely and utterly to the fullest. Make memories, laugh, love, and enjoy every single tiny millisecond, because if Rachel's experiences from up above were true, then I'd want to be left in that white space with all of my favourite memories to remember again and again. Hannah Beckerman, I absolutely salute you. This was a glittering masterpiece of a book, overflowing with pure, unconditional love.
September 24, 2020
I found this book slow and with little oomph. It seemed to have a lot of potential but just never really took off for me.
June 6, 2020
I wasn’t sure how I would feel about reading this book. I wasn’t sure I would like imagining myself not being around any longer and watching my husband and children grieving and getting on with a life without me. It was a difficult read at times but actually I found it really heart warming and reassuring. It was very cleverly and emotionally written, and I found it to be a really interesting viewpoint to read from.
February 19, 2014
Also posted on This Chick Reads
*Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review*
‘The Dead Wife’s Handbook’ is one of the best and most original books I've ever read. It’s deep, emotional and thought-provoking. When Hannah shared her first chapter I knew I had to immediately check it out. I was hooked from the very first page. I had tears in my eyes from reading the first couple of sentences:
“I didn't mean to die so young. I don’t suppose anyone does. I don’t suppose many people would willingly fail to reach their thirty-seventh birthday or their eighth wedding anniversary or see out their daughter’s seventh year on the planet. I suspect there aren't many people who would voluntarily relinquish all that, given the choice.”
Rachel didn’t have a choice. She didn’t even know she had a poor heart until that day she felt a strong pain in her chest and died at the age of 36, leaving her beloved husband Max and 6 year old daughter Ellie to mourn for her. But it’s not only them who’re grieving, Rachel is having a hard time adjusting to the fact she will no longer be able to see or touch her family, that she won’t be able to see Ellie grow up, not be able to see her finish school, fall in love, get married.
Now i told you this is an emotional book, and as you see you’ll probably need tons of tissues when reading it. But what I found really fascinating was the way this book was cleverly divided in parts which showed the things Rachel was going through, the different stages starting from shock, to denial, anger etc. As human beings, we might be different when it comes to many things, but we sure are so similar when it comes to grief, pain and loss. We all feel it and we have a hard time accepting the loss. The Dead Wife’s Handbook is such a wonderful book, yet reading it was such a strange experience. I've never thought about what would happen to my loved ones if I died, totally unexpected just like Rachel did. Because, as much as everyone says they’d want their loved ones to move on, is it really something we’d want?
Maybe I’m nothing like Rachel, but I am a woman, a wife and a mother, so I could really connect with her. I could feel her pain, her grief, her worst fears. She’s torn, fearing she’d be forgotten, and that might be worse than the actual death.
“It’s not the mortality of the body that’s the real tragedy of the dead. It’s the dissolution of memory. For the dead, to be forgotten is as if never to have lived at all.”
But though this book will make you cry like a baby, it is definitely not just a book about dying or overcoming loss. It’s about love, that unconditional love we feel for our children, that imprint we leave behind and that continues to speak about who we were. It’s about the importance of family, of loving and being loved, of sharing memories and holding on to them when everything is lost. Because those memories are who we were, who we are, they define us.
I swear, I could talk about this book for hours, and I must say it is an excellent choice for Book Clubs or groups who’d want a fantastic book that will provoke so much discussing on many topics. But it all goes down to this: ‘The Dead Wife’s Handbook’ might be a debut but it’s a masterpiece! And no matter how hard I try to explain just how fabulous this book is, I’m sure I’ll never be able to. It’s such a powerful, deep, emotional, thought-provoking book you definitely don’t want to miss out on. I’m sure you’ll love both the powerful message behind it as well as Hannah’s unique, fresh and beautiful writing style. A true MASTERPIECE that will stay with you long after you've read it! I bow to you Hannah!
February 13, 2014
*Book provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
First of all I'd like to thank Hannah and Katie for sending me the book, I’m very grateful and happy about that.
Now, let's quickly talk about the cover, I think it's absolutely gorgeous. The colours are perfect and I adore the idea of the whole picture, with the woman and her hair, the flowers and the birds. The writing completes the beautiful picture and after having read the story, I truly believe it's a perfect match.
This is I think the first book I read from a death character's POV, but I loved the idea and I fell in love with the story on the first page already.
The way Rachel's feelings and emotions were described and also the way she was "still" part of the lives of her beloved ones was brilliant. I felt like looking down on the other characters and being a real witness to their story.
Max and Ellie are wonderful. Max is such a great and caring father and their connection and chemistry was so cute. Ellie is only seven and she already had to deal with her mother's death and Max?! He just can't move on. It was interesting and intriging to see how that developed, with Max starting to date again and Ellie reacting to this.
I adored Ellie in this book, so sweet and inncocent and she made me smile all the time.
Reading this from Rachel's perspective and still being able to understand the other characters was amazing. Nobody came short, not Harriet (Rachel's best friend), Celia (her mum) or Max's parents and his brother Connor.
They all had a special role in this story and they were integrated in it, in such an easy, but still marvellous way.
Then there was Eve, she was introduced to the novel step by step and she turned out to be such a lovely girl, with a hard background and so much love and understanding for Max and Ellie. It was difficult for Ellie of course, but I felt that these two ladies were going to be inseparable.
There were so many lovely scenes in this story (loved the one about Ellie’s first kiss or Eve and Ellie framing Max), also only small things which made my smile and made me enjoy this story so much. There was also enough drama and some difficult situations, which added the right spice to it and made the novel appear even more real.
It seemed that it was all about the other characters dealing with Rachel's death, but it was also Rachel herself dealing with it and trying to move on. It made me think about life from a different perspective and it really shows to enjoy all the little things as well, memories are a treasure to keep.
I know, I mentioned it before, but the thing I loved the most about this book is the brilliant way all the emotions and feelings of all characters were included and really came through.
I was able to dive into this story and experience every single part of it. The characters were so real and the scenes so vivid, I loved and adored this other world and I didn't want to leave it, I couldn't put this wonderful book down. I was crying one minute and then smiling again, a real roller-coaster trough various emotions.
Amazing job Hannah, I absolutely loved every single part of your debut novel, the idea, the characters, the marvellous writing, the cover etc. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ BRILLIANT!!!
Can't wait to read more!!! It calls for so many more awesome stories to come.
First of all I'd like to thank Hannah and Katie for sending me the book, I’m very grateful and happy about that.
Now, let's quickly talk about the cover, I think it's absolutely gorgeous. The colours are perfect and I adore the idea of the whole picture, with the woman and her hair, the flowers and the birds. The writing completes the beautiful picture and after having read the story, I truly believe it's a perfect match.
This is I think the first book I read from a death character's POV, but I loved the idea and I fell in love with the story on the first page already.
The way Rachel's feelings and emotions were described and also the way she was "still" part of the lives of her beloved ones was brilliant. I felt like looking down on the other characters and being a real witness to their story.
Max and Ellie are wonderful. Max is such a great and caring father and their connection and chemistry was so cute. Ellie is only seven and she already had to deal with her mother's death and Max?! He just can't move on. It was interesting and intriging to see how that developed, with Max starting to date again and Ellie reacting to this.
I adored Ellie in this book, so sweet and inncocent and she made me smile all the time.
Reading this from Rachel's perspective and still being able to understand the other characters was amazing. Nobody came short, not Harriet (Rachel's best friend), Celia (her mum) or Max's parents and his brother Connor.
They all had a special role in this story and they were integrated in it, in such an easy, but still marvellous way.
Then there was Eve, she was introduced to the novel step by step and she turned out to be such a lovely girl, with a hard background and so much love and understanding for Max and Ellie. It was difficult for Ellie of course, but I felt that these two ladies were going to be inseparable.
There were so many lovely scenes in this story (loved the one about Ellie’s first kiss or Eve and Ellie framing Max), also only small things which made my smile and made me enjoy this story so much. There was also enough drama and some difficult situations, which added the right spice to it and made the novel appear even more real.
It seemed that it was all about the other characters dealing with Rachel's death, but it was also Rachel herself dealing with it and trying to move on. It made me think about life from a different perspective and it really shows to enjoy all the little things as well, memories are a treasure to keep.
I know, I mentioned it before, but the thing I loved the most about this book is the brilliant way all the emotions and feelings of all characters were included and really came through.
I was able to dive into this story and experience every single part of it. The characters were so real and the scenes so vivid, I loved and adored this other world and I didn't want to leave it, I couldn't put this wonderful book down. I was crying one minute and then smiling again, a real roller-coaster trough various emotions.
Amazing job Hannah, I absolutely loved every single part of your debut novel, the idea, the characters, the marvellous writing, the cover etc. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ BRILLIANT!!!
Can't wait to read more!!! It calls for so many more awesome stories to come.
March 15, 2014
I won a signed copy of this novel in a competition and couldn’t wait to read it and post a review for Hannah who I got know a bit about after spending time chatting with her on twitter. I went on to choose this as the March read for the book group I’m a member of which is why I didn’t want to post my review until after the meeting.
The first thing that drew me in was the gorgeous cover - the colours are so vibrant and stunning - I just wanted to pick it up and run my hands repeatedly over it. The synopsis also hooked me as it hinted at an unusual story that piqued my interest - I’d always thought I’d like to be able to check on the family if I was to go first!!
The book revolves around Rachel, who dies suddenly, without warning and that of her husband Max and daughter Ellie, along with their family and friends who are trying to help them build a new life for themselves without Rachel. Rachel is able to glimpse snippets of her former life through a cloud like haze and the story is told through her.
I knew this book would be an emotional one - who wouldn’t be moved by the grief of a family struggling to rebuild their lives after the mother is snatched from them? What I wasn’t prepared for was the range of emotions I felt. This book was of a size that I’d normally devour in the course of a week-end but it took me almost a week to read as I had to keep stopping to gather my thoughts.
Hannah’s descriptions were so vivid - I cried, I laughed and I had arguments inside my head and willed things to happen or not! Whoever thought it might be nice to peak at ‘your’ life after you’ve gone is an idiot, it felt like such an act of cruelty. The total opposite of what I thought would be quite nice. If you couldn’t be with your loved ones any longer, at least you’d still feel part of their lives by watching in - absolutely not!! Watching them suffer, and not being able to comfort and then the pain of watching them move on would be horrendous. I physically felt Rachel’s pain - only able to observe, not scoop up her daughter and kiss her better. Max, how could you let your friends, mother and brother tell you to get ‘out there’ after only a year?
For me this book was very thought provoking, I’ve discussed it not just at book group but with other friends too. I’ve recommended it to everyone who’ll listen to me - it’s really made me search my soul. I have decided though, when I’m gone, I’m gone! I don’t want to be able look down and suffer because I can’t touch or hold my family and friends when they need me most, instead I’ll try to show and tell them now whilst I’m here.
I can only imagine the tears Hannah must have shed whilst writing this book. The emotions I felt were raw and quite real. I love a book that makes me think and question life and situations and two weeks after finishing this book I’m still doing just that. Grief affects us all differently and the fact that Rachel, Max, Ellie and their friends and family were at different stages made it all the more difficult. My heart literally broke in particular for Rachel and Ellie - you can’t replace a mother/daughter relationship but in Eve, Hannah I think you gave us the next best thing.
This is a truly amazing book which I have gladly recommended to all of my friends.
The first thing that drew me in was the gorgeous cover - the colours are so vibrant and stunning - I just wanted to pick it up and run my hands repeatedly over it. The synopsis also hooked me as it hinted at an unusual story that piqued my interest - I’d always thought I’d like to be able to check on the family if I was to go first!!
The book revolves around Rachel, who dies suddenly, without warning and that of her husband Max and daughter Ellie, along with their family and friends who are trying to help them build a new life for themselves without Rachel. Rachel is able to glimpse snippets of her former life through a cloud like haze and the story is told through her.
I knew this book would be an emotional one - who wouldn’t be moved by the grief of a family struggling to rebuild their lives after the mother is snatched from them? What I wasn’t prepared for was the range of emotions I felt. This book was of a size that I’d normally devour in the course of a week-end but it took me almost a week to read as I had to keep stopping to gather my thoughts.
Hannah’s descriptions were so vivid - I cried, I laughed and I had arguments inside my head and willed things to happen or not! Whoever thought it might be nice to peak at ‘your’ life after you’ve gone is an idiot, it felt like such an act of cruelty. The total opposite of what I thought would be quite nice. If you couldn’t be with your loved ones any longer, at least you’d still feel part of their lives by watching in - absolutely not!! Watching them suffer, and not being able to comfort and then the pain of watching them move on would be horrendous. I physically felt Rachel’s pain - only able to observe, not scoop up her daughter and kiss her better. Max, how could you let your friends, mother and brother tell you to get ‘out there’ after only a year?
For me this book was very thought provoking, I’ve discussed it not just at book group but with other friends too. I’ve recommended it to everyone who’ll listen to me - it’s really made me search my soul. I have decided though, when I’m gone, I’m gone! I don’t want to be able look down and suffer because I can’t touch or hold my family and friends when they need me most, instead I’ll try to show and tell them now whilst I’m here.
I can only imagine the tears Hannah must have shed whilst writing this book. The emotions I felt were raw and quite real. I love a book that makes me think and question life and situations and two weeks after finishing this book I’m still doing just that. Grief affects us all differently and the fact that Rachel, Max, Ellie and their friends and family were at different stages made it all the more difficult. My heart literally broke in particular for Rachel and Ellie - you can’t replace a mother/daughter relationship but in Eve, Hannah I think you gave us the next best thing.
This is a truly amazing book which I have gladly recommended to all of my friends.
February 21, 2014
Oh my goodness. I have just turned the last page of this book and need to get my feelings down right now!
The Dead Wife’s Handbook is a treat from start to finish and I cannot begin to explain the emotions I have experienced throughout.
Rachel is our protagonist who is slightly different from most: she’s dead. She died in her early thirties and left behind her husband, Max, and beautiful daughter, Ellie. Rachel is granted, by some higher force, the chance to see the world she left behind, often stepping out of her brand new ‘white’ world and being able to bear witness to how her family and friends cope with life without her. As Rachel spends time watching the world carry on without her, she goes through a whole host of emotions, not yet ready to come to terms with her untimely death. Over the course of the novel we follow Rachel, being privy to her thoughts and feelings as she goes through seven stages of grief and watch her come to terms with the unlucky hand fate dealt her.
Now, when I first started reading the book, I struggled with it. I couldn’t sympathise with Rachel and I found her to be quite selfish. As I was reading, I began to wonder how I would behave in Rachel’s situation. This was hard, mainly because I don’t have a husband or child, but also because imagining you are dead is not easy! I personally felt that if I died and left behind a husband and child that I would want them to be happy and I’d want my husband to fall in love again and my daughter to find someone to fill my shoes, yet Rachel didn’t feel this way at all: this is where we clashed. I felt she was very self-absorbed and selfish to be feeling the way she did, but actually, maybe she had every right to feel that way.
As the book progressed I found it easier to read. Rachel began to mellow and I started to appreciate her a lot more and understand her feelings. By the end of the book I wanted to squeeze her so tightly; I felt so proud of the journey she had been on and I wanted her to know that someone was reading her story and totally in awe of her. Beckerman has created such a stunning protagonist that goes on perhaps the greatest journey I’ve ever read about. The change Rachel goes through was just stunningly beautiful.
Hannah’s writing is divine. It has the most beautiful tone to it and her command of the English language is just stunning. I have never seen such gorgeously worded sentences before! Every page felt like I was reading a piece of art and the artist had toiled for years making sure each word was in precisely the right place.
I cannot begin to recommend this book enough. Whilst there are some dark themes of death and mourning, the overall feeling you take away from the book is one of complete renewal. It’s life-affirming, comforting and will leave you wanting to live everyday as if it were your last.
A modern masterpiece.
The Dead Wife’s Handbook is a treat from start to finish and I cannot begin to explain the emotions I have experienced throughout.
Rachel is our protagonist who is slightly different from most: she’s dead. She died in her early thirties and left behind her husband, Max, and beautiful daughter, Ellie. Rachel is granted, by some higher force, the chance to see the world she left behind, often stepping out of her brand new ‘white’ world and being able to bear witness to how her family and friends cope with life without her. As Rachel spends time watching the world carry on without her, she goes through a whole host of emotions, not yet ready to come to terms with her untimely death. Over the course of the novel we follow Rachel, being privy to her thoughts and feelings as she goes through seven stages of grief and watch her come to terms with the unlucky hand fate dealt her.
Now, when I first started reading the book, I struggled with it. I couldn’t sympathise with Rachel and I found her to be quite selfish. As I was reading, I began to wonder how I would behave in Rachel’s situation. This was hard, mainly because I don’t have a husband or child, but also because imagining you are dead is not easy! I personally felt that if I died and left behind a husband and child that I would want them to be happy and I’d want my husband to fall in love again and my daughter to find someone to fill my shoes, yet Rachel didn’t feel this way at all: this is where we clashed. I felt she was very self-absorbed and selfish to be feeling the way she did, but actually, maybe she had every right to feel that way.
As the book progressed I found it easier to read. Rachel began to mellow and I started to appreciate her a lot more and understand her feelings. By the end of the book I wanted to squeeze her so tightly; I felt so proud of the journey she had been on and I wanted her to know that someone was reading her story and totally in awe of her. Beckerman has created such a stunning protagonist that goes on perhaps the greatest journey I’ve ever read about. The change Rachel goes through was just stunningly beautiful.
Hannah’s writing is divine. It has the most beautiful tone to it and her command of the English language is just stunning. I have never seen such gorgeously worded sentences before! Every page felt like I was reading a piece of art and the artist had toiled for years making sure each word was in precisely the right place.
I cannot begin to recommend this book enough. Whilst there are some dark themes of death and mourning, the overall feeling you take away from the book is one of complete renewal. It’s life-affirming, comforting and will leave you wanting to live everyday as if it were your last.
A modern masterpiece.
May 31, 2014
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“Today is my death anniversary. A year ago today I was still alive.”
Rachel was a bright, happy young mother of just 36 when she died quickly and unexpectedly, leaving her family far less bright and happy.
We join her ‘spirit’ a year after her death as she watches her grieving husband Max and their beloved seven year old daughter, Ellie.
Rachel isn’t haunting her family, or a ghost in the ‘conventional’ form, she seems to be in some kind of limbo, allowed to witness important scenes from Max and Ellie’s lives, but unable to control which she sees and when they end.
The story captures the normalising time from a year after her death, when family and friends are starting to expect Max to move on and get on with his own life as “…that’s what Rachel would have wanted.”
In contrast, Rachel herself isn’t at all sure that this is what she wants. And she is even less sure when Max starts dating.
I was so torn by this book. I love the premise, and I loved the way that it was written. It could very very easily have wandered into tweeness, or come across as overtly religious or sentimental, but it didn’t. There wasn’t even a description of a ‘Heaven’ or the afterlife (which is just nothingness to Rachel).
“There are no gardens, no rainbows, no magical worlds like those at the top of the Faraway Tree.”
She mentions the Faraway Tree – that’s GOT to be a good thing!
I didn’t even feel that the story was about Rachel witnessing her family mourning her and being grateful that they can move on from this and get on with living their own lives without her. I felt that this was a completely different focus on grief. It was on Rachel. This was the journey of her own acceptance of her death.
She needed to go through the entire grieving process, and this was only possible through Max and Ellie’s own progress – much of which she battled against…especially when Max started a new relationship.
I guess I felt that there wasn’t enough anger coming across. I’d have been angry. My husband would have been angry. My family would have been angry if I’d just dropped dead with no warning at 36. There weren’t enough tears and tantrums fo rmy liking. No raw emotion. Everything felt a little too…I don’t know…considered?
There were moments, of course, but I wanted more, I just felt that there was some passion missing. All of the characters felt quite philosophical, understanding and seemed to instinctively know the right thing to do or say. That didn’t feel real to me.
But that said, it was a well written story, easy to read, heartstring-tugging and very unique. And it’s a very pretty cover, isn’t it?
“Today is my death anniversary. A year ago today I was still alive.”
Rachel was a bright, happy young mother of just 36 when she died quickly and unexpectedly, leaving her family far less bright and happy.
We join her ‘spirit’ a year after her death as she watches her grieving husband Max and their beloved seven year old daughter, Ellie.
Rachel isn’t haunting her family, or a ghost in the ‘conventional’ form, she seems to be in some kind of limbo, allowed to witness important scenes from Max and Ellie’s lives, but unable to control which she sees and when they end.
The story captures the normalising time from a year after her death, when family and friends are starting to expect Max to move on and get on with his own life as “…that’s what Rachel would have wanted.”
In contrast, Rachel herself isn’t at all sure that this is what she wants. And she is even less sure when Max starts dating.
I was so torn by this book. I love the premise, and I loved the way that it was written. It could very very easily have wandered into tweeness, or come across as overtly religious or sentimental, but it didn’t. There wasn’t even a description of a ‘Heaven’ or the afterlife (which is just nothingness to Rachel).
“There are no gardens, no rainbows, no magical worlds like those at the top of the Faraway Tree.”
She mentions the Faraway Tree – that’s GOT to be a good thing!
I didn’t even feel that the story was about Rachel witnessing her family mourning her and being grateful that they can move on from this and get on with living their own lives without her. I felt that this was a completely different focus on grief. It was on Rachel. This was the journey of her own acceptance of her death.
She needed to go through the entire grieving process, and this was only possible through Max and Ellie’s own progress – much of which she battled against…especially when Max started a new relationship.
I guess I felt that there wasn’t enough anger coming across. I’d have been angry. My husband would have been angry. My family would have been angry if I’d just dropped dead with no warning at 36. There weren’t enough tears and tantrums fo rmy liking. No raw emotion. Everything felt a little too…I don’t know…considered?
There were moments, of course, but I wanted more, I just felt that there was some passion missing. All of the characters felt quite philosophical, understanding and seemed to instinctively know the right thing to do or say. That didn’t feel real to me.
But that said, it was a well written story, easy to read, heartstring-tugging and very unique. And it’s a very pretty cover, isn’t it?
May 19, 2014
There are an abundance of books about fictional afterlives out there and I always really enjoy reading them so when I read the synopsis for The Dead Wife’s Handbook I knew it was a book that I just had to read. When I started reading I was quite surprised to discover that this book is less about the afterlife and more about life itself which put a refreshing new twist on the dead heroine narrative.
The book begins on the one year anniversary of Rachel’s death where we find out that Rachel died unexpectedly in her thirties leaving behind loving husband Max and young daughter Ellie. Rachel isn’t sure where she is or why she’s there but every so often the clouds part and she is allowed to see Max and Ellie begin to build a new life without her.
I say this book is more about life than the afterlife because the focus is never on where Rachel is now. Instead we watch the living through Rachel’s eyes and experience the different stages of grief for everybody who Rachel’s death has affected, including Rachel herself.
A year after his wife’s death Max is gently pushed back into the world of dating by concerned friends and family. Max thinks it’s too soon and his first few dates go horribly wrong, that is until Max meets Eve and beings to fall in love all over again. Rachel is heartbroken watching another woman take her place and so she grieves not only for the life she’s lost but also for the life she’ll now never lead. You see throughout the book how Rachel’s death and Max moving on affects Rachel’s family, friends and young daughter Ellie in different ways showing the messy complexity of grief.
This book brought out a range of emotions in me and my feelings towards each character would shift and develop throughout the book. Sometimes I’d feel so frustrated with Max but then he’d have a heart to heart with Ellie and I’d suddenly understand his feelings. At the start I really didn’t like Eve and was fiercely on Rachel’s side but as I got to know her I warmed to her and began to see that even though she didn’t know Rachel her death has very much affected her life as well.
Overall The Dead Wife’s Handbook is an emotionally powerful debut novel about life, death, love and everything in between. It broke my heart and put it back together again and is a firm favourite of mine for 2014. I’m hugely looking forward to seeing what Hannah Beckerman writes next.
The book begins on the one year anniversary of Rachel’s death where we find out that Rachel died unexpectedly in her thirties leaving behind loving husband Max and young daughter Ellie. Rachel isn’t sure where she is or why she’s there but every so often the clouds part and she is allowed to see Max and Ellie begin to build a new life without her.
I say this book is more about life than the afterlife because the focus is never on where Rachel is now. Instead we watch the living through Rachel’s eyes and experience the different stages of grief for everybody who Rachel’s death has affected, including Rachel herself.
A year after his wife’s death Max is gently pushed back into the world of dating by concerned friends and family. Max thinks it’s too soon and his first few dates go horribly wrong, that is until Max meets Eve and beings to fall in love all over again. Rachel is heartbroken watching another woman take her place and so she grieves not only for the life she’s lost but also for the life she’ll now never lead. You see throughout the book how Rachel’s death and Max moving on affects Rachel’s family, friends and young daughter Ellie in different ways showing the messy complexity of grief.
This book brought out a range of emotions in me and my feelings towards each character would shift and develop throughout the book. Sometimes I’d feel so frustrated with Max but then he’d have a heart to heart with Ellie and I’d suddenly understand his feelings. At the start I really didn’t like Eve and was fiercely on Rachel’s side but as I got to know her I warmed to her and began to see that even though she didn’t know Rachel her death has very much affected her life as well.
Overall The Dead Wife’s Handbook is an emotionally powerful debut novel about life, death, love and everything in between. It broke my heart and put it back together again and is a firm favourite of mine for 2014. I’m hugely looking forward to seeing what Hannah Beckerman writes next.
March 12, 2015
You’ve probably heard about this book, it was released last year and has been flying around the blogging and twittersphere ever since. It has lots and lots of amazing reviews and I finally got around to seeing what all the fuss was about. And my gosh, does it deserve the fuss. It deserves more. The Dead Wife’s Handbook is the poignant and emotional journey of Rachel – although she died far too young, she is still looking down on the world she left and is following her husband, Max, and daughter, Ellie, through their stages of grief.
There’s no other way to describe the narrative other than perfect. That’s right, I said it. Ever so slightly repetitive at times but overall, perfect. Impeccably written with an ideal blend of dialogue and action and incredibly well paced. It’s beautiful sentence after beautiful sentence and if I didn’t already know, I would have never guessed it was a debut. The characters are all painfully likable; especially Max and Ellie and it was so easy to get totally invested in their lives. It was fantastic to see how they all coped with Rachel’s impromptu departure and easy to understand why they do what they do and think what they think.
It took slightly longer than I expected to read because I found it a bit emotionally exhausting. I heard that it was sad and I’m quite a crier anyway so I was actually looking forward to a pull of the heart-strings but I was no way prepared for this. I love emotional books – but this was another level of painstakingly real and raw emotion entirely. It’s not your “The Fault in Our Stars” sad or devastating “The Book Thief” sad, it was real-life sad. It was you and your partner and your best friend and your children and your parents and everything you’ve ever felt or wanted to feel put into a book and written back to you sad. I can’t even coherently explain it but I’m welling up just trying.
In a weird sort of way, at the end of all the emotions and the tears, I found it incredibly inspiring, knowing that every life matters and what you do with it matters – your achievements don’t have to be life-altering, they just need to matter and with that, you will always, always be remembered. It makes you appreciate the little things in life. The things that we usually take for granted but deep down know are the special moments we’ll cherish forever.
There’s no other way to describe the narrative other than perfect. That’s right, I said it. Ever so slightly repetitive at times but overall, perfect. Impeccably written with an ideal blend of dialogue and action and incredibly well paced. It’s beautiful sentence after beautiful sentence and if I didn’t already know, I would have never guessed it was a debut. The characters are all painfully likable; especially Max and Ellie and it was so easy to get totally invested in their lives. It was fantastic to see how they all coped with Rachel’s impromptu departure and easy to understand why they do what they do and think what they think.
It took slightly longer than I expected to read because I found it a bit emotionally exhausting. I heard that it was sad and I’m quite a crier anyway so I was actually looking forward to a pull of the heart-strings but I was no way prepared for this. I love emotional books – but this was another level of painstakingly real and raw emotion entirely. It’s not your “The Fault in Our Stars” sad or devastating “The Book Thief” sad, it was real-life sad. It was you and your partner and your best friend and your children and your parents and everything you’ve ever felt or wanted to feel put into a book and written back to you sad. I can’t even coherently explain it but I’m welling up just trying.
In a weird sort of way, at the end of all the emotions and the tears, I found it incredibly inspiring, knowing that every life matters and what you do with it matters – your achievements don’t have to be life-altering, they just need to matter and with that, you will always, always be remembered. It makes you appreciate the little things in life. The things that we usually take for granted but deep down know are the special moments we’ll cherish forever.
May 28, 2023
Ages ago, before I ever discovered Bookstagram, I bought myself a kindle with the aim of getting back into reading. The reality was that I downloaded a lot of books and never got round to reading them. The Dead Wife's Handbook by Hannah Beckerman was one such book. Honestly, I can't remember now why I bought it - presumably it was on offer or something - but it's definitely not the type of book I normally read given that I'm all about the misery and this one is distinctly (for want of a better descriptor) chick lit. However, I've been in the mood for something a bit different recently and thought I'd give it a go.
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It's basically the story of Rachel, a wife and mother who died in her thirties and is stuck in some sort of limbo land, watching her husband, Max, get it on with his new girlfriend, Eve. (Okay, maybe there's some misery.) Rachel, grieving for the life she never got to live, is forced to watch as Eve slowly usurps her place, first with Max, and then with her daughter, Ellie, as she is forced to come to terms with her own death.
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Despite the whole death thing, The Dead Wife's Handbook is a fairly light read that I kind of enjoyed if only for a bit of a change of tone. It's one of these books that made me think about my own mortality, and what it will be like for my kids when I finally do shuffle off this mortal coil. Overall though, I think it probably just isn't the genre for me. The characters, despite all their mourning, were too perfect to connect with, having effortlessly accomplished full-time careers, cheesily perfect families, no childcare issues, general success, and the ability to retain their good looks and will to date even when grieving the loss of a spouse. Meanwhile, I'm over here having a breakdown because I've run out of Dortios.
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I'm going to hazard a guess and say I'm just not the right audience for this book, but I will also say that there was little differentiation between the characters, who all spoke in more or less the exact same voice, and also that their repeated use of endearments such as "petal" gave me the boak.
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📚
It's basically the story of Rachel, a wife and mother who died in her thirties and is stuck in some sort of limbo land, watching her husband, Max, get it on with his new girlfriend, Eve. (Okay, maybe there's some misery.) Rachel, grieving for the life she never got to live, is forced to watch as Eve slowly usurps her place, first with Max, and then with her daughter, Ellie, as she is forced to come to terms with her own death.
📚
Despite the whole death thing, The Dead Wife's Handbook is a fairly light read that I kind of enjoyed if only for a bit of a change of tone. It's one of these books that made me think about my own mortality, and what it will be like for my kids when I finally do shuffle off this mortal coil. Overall though, I think it probably just isn't the genre for me. The characters, despite all their mourning, were too perfect to connect with, having effortlessly accomplished full-time careers, cheesily perfect families, no childcare issues, general success, and the ability to retain their good looks and will to date even when grieving the loss of a spouse. Meanwhile, I'm over here having a breakdown because I've run out of Dortios.
📚
I'm going to hazard a guess and say I'm just not the right audience for this book, but I will also say that there was little differentiation between the characters, who all spoke in more or less the exact same voice, and also that their repeated use of endearments such as "petal" gave me the boak.
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October 8, 2013
I was lucky enough to receive a preview of this book via RealReaders and I am gald I did as I doubt I would have picked it up if I had seen it in Waterstones.
The narrator is Rachel, the dead wife of the title and we journey with her as she observes the life she left behind, watching how her family and friends start to pick up their lives following her early demise.
I have to say the daughter was just a little but too good to be true but I guess no-one really eants to read about tantrums and the reality of living with 7 year olds so we can gloss over that quite easily.
The perspective of the story of grief from the view point of the deceased was an interesting read and certainly made me think... it also made me cry on numerous occasions and that, to me, shows how good this debut author is at really drawing you into the novel and caring about Rachel and all the people involved in her former life...
I won't say too much about the plot as this would spoil a good read but it isn't too saccharine sweet as a lot of this genre of books can become.
As a debut novel I look forward to more books by Hannah Beckerman... I would dearly like to read a sequel to find out how everyone got on in the end or even perhaps a book from another of the portaganists viewpoint....
All in all - a good read and I would heartily recommend this book - though keep a few tissues on hand!
The narrator is Rachel, the dead wife of the title and we journey with her as she observes the life she left behind, watching how her family and friends start to pick up their lives following her early demise.
I have to say the daughter was just a little but too good to be true but I guess no-one really eants to read about tantrums and the reality of living with 7 year olds so we can gloss over that quite easily.
The perspective of the story of grief from the view point of the deceased was an interesting read and certainly made me think... it also made me cry on numerous occasions and that, to me, shows how good this debut author is at really drawing you into the novel and caring about Rachel and all the people involved in her former life...
I won't say too much about the plot as this would spoil a good read but it isn't too saccharine sweet as a lot of this genre of books can become.
As a debut novel I look forward to more books by Hannah Beckerman... I would dearly like to read a sequel to find out how everyone got on in the end or even perhaps a book from another of the portaganists viewpoint....
All in all - a good read and I would heartily recommend this book - though keep a few tissues on hand!
November 24, 2013
Beautifully written, yet heart breakingly realistic, Beckerman draws the reader in through the perspective of 36 year old "dead wife" Rachel, who can only randomly observe her husband Max, 7 year old daughter Ellie and (importantly + uniquely) extended family, from the afterworld ether.
Unlike anything I've read before this novel offers a 360 degree view of grief taking the reader through a journey of emotions with each of the characters' different takes on death and the living aftermath. It's an easy subject matter to be far too cheesy with, yet Beckerman manages to be sincere and poetic.
Very cleverly , the reader is taken through a parallel journey of emotions with the main character - sympathy, empathy, embarrassment, annoyance - all of which make the heartfelt grief and fitting conclusion of the novel incredibly powerful, hard hitting and yet incredibly satisfying. This will have you in tears without any "chick lit" guilt. And don't even get me started on a seven year old dealing with her dead mum ......
Unlike anything I've read before this novel offers a 360 degree view of grief taking the reader through a journey of emotions with each of the characters' different takes on death and the living aftermath. It's an easy subject matter to be far too cheesy with, yet Beckerman manages to be sincere and poetic.
Very cleverly , the reader is taken through a parallel journey of emotions with the main character - sympathy, empathy, embarrassment, annoyance - all of which make the heartfelt grief and fitting conclusion of the novel incredibly powerful, hard hitting and yet incredibly satisfying. This will have you in tears without any "chick lit" guilt. And don't even get me started on a seven year old dealing with her dead mum ......
February 10, 2014
Thirty-something Rachel’s life was perfect. A good job and a happy home with her wonderful husband and beautiful daughter, she had it all. And then, suddenly Rachel died.
The Dead Wife’s Handbook, Hannah Beckerman’s debut, narrates Rachel’s life from beyond the grave as she dips in and out of the lives of the family and friends she has left behind; seeing them move on with their lives and loves while she is stuck in a hazy afterlife while she processes her own grief for the life she to which she never got to say goodbye. Though the subject matter of The Dead Wife’s Handbook could easily verge on bleak, even depressing, it never does. Instead, Rachel’s story is one beautifully told with dashes of wit to lighten the load.
Read the full review: http://daisychainbookreviews.blogspot...
The Dead Wife’s Handbook, Hannah Beckerman’s debut, narrates Rachel’s life from beyond the grave as she dips in and out of the lives of the family and friends she has left behind; seeing them move on with their lives and loves while she is stuck in a hazy afterlife while she processes her own grief for the life she to which she never got to say goodbye. Though the subject matter of The Dead Wife’s Handbook could easily verge on bleak, even depressing, it never does. Instead, Rachel’s story is one beautifully told with dashes of wit to lighten the load.
Read the full review: http://daisychainbookreviews.blogspot...
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