The Household Guide to Dying

The Household Guide to Dying is a moving, witty, and uplifting novel about Delia, who writes an acerbic and wildly popular household advice column. When Delia realizes that she will lose her long battle with cancer, she decides to organize her remaining months—and her husband and children’s future lives without her—the same way she has always ordered their household, and she knows just what to do. She will leave a list for her daughter’s future wedding; fill the freezer with homemade sausages, stews, and sauces; and even (maddeningly) offer her husband suggestions for a new wife. She’ll compile a lifetime’s worth of advice for her children, and she’ll even write the ultimate “Household Guide to Dying” for her fans. There is one item on her list, however, that proves too much even for “Dear Delia,” and it is the single greatest task she had set for herself. Yet just as Delia is coming to terms with this, an unexpected visitor helps her believe in her life’s worth in a way that no list ever could.

 

Imbued with Delia’s love for food, Jane Austen, clucking hens, and fragrant gardens, and interspersed with her secrets to making a pot of tea, removing wine stains from lace, and the ingredients to the perfect wedding cake, this is a gorgeously crafted novel that captures the reader—heart and mind—and expands our understanding of a meaningful life.

Here's what MotherTalk reviewers are saying about The Household Guide to Dying:

Artsy-Crafty Bebe says: "In a way, this book gave me comfort.  It also made me realize what a gift life is.  As the cover states, this is 'A novel about life'."

Booking Mama says: "First and foremost, this book is incredibly written. Ms. Adelaide writes with such vivid detail and her descriptions of pretty much everything were amazing. I was blown away by how beautiful the prose was -- so many pages were like reading poetry. I was also amazed by how much insight the author had not only dying, but living."

Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews says: "I really enjoyed this book. I've always thought that if you had the chance to know you are dying, then you should make the most of it. Prepare your family & yourself. I love how the main character, Delia does not feel sorry for herself. She just keeps on going with daily life."

Cutie Booty Reviews says: "The book explores her relationships, past history and her future. This is a bittersweet read and I am looking forward to completing it because the air of mystery is killing me."

Life as Lou says: "This is one of the most compelling stories I have read in quite some time. The lead character, Delia is a household advice columnist with a fascinating past and likable character. She is also"

Fefyfomanna says: "I found this book to be easy to read word wise, but hard to read topic wise. I’m very emotional and cry over Hallmark commercials, so this topic hit me pretty hard. Don’t worry, the book is filled with plenty of humor"

Red Sox Mommy says: "I assured these leery folks that it was not at all morbid, but actually quite lovely. You see, this book is about Delia. She's super organized and has written several "Household Guides" to this, that and the other. So when she finds herself dying from cancer she decides to document the experience in her final installment in the "Household" series."

Magpie Housekeeping says: "Somehow - despite the illness and impending death of the protagonist, the book manages to be clever, comic and moving."

Did You See That? says: "That said, would I recommend this book? You betcha I would. If you are looking for a book that will touch you and stay with you long after you've finished reading it... one that makes you THINK and FEEL in a way no novel has done before, READ THIS BOOK."

Knitty Reviews says: "While the title may seem like a real Debbie Downer, it is ultimately a novel about life; an examination by a wife, mother and woman who is finally able to take the time to tie up her loose ends and think about the mark she'll leave on those she leaves behind."

Rundpinne says: "Then when I received the book I was reluctant, being a mother myself, I worried it would be a depressing read. Thankfully my initial assessment was completely incorrect. The Household Guide To Dying is masterfully written... The author does not disappoint the reader with her beautiful prose, one can almost see and smell all that she describes from the gravel roads to the flowers of her beloved Australia."

Mother of Bun Reviews says: "She seems like a REAL mom. She curses in front of her kids. She worries. She wonders. She's driven crazy when her daughters fight. She seems like the kind of woman I'd be friends with."

Compost Happens says: "The novel isn't so much a death story as it is a tale of life and personality, a tale that leads to closure. Don't fear the potential sadness in the title: this is a novel to read and savor."

Jenn's Journal says: " It's surprisingly suspenseful, very thoughtful, and introspective.  It makes you think... It's one of those books where you just need a little time to yourself and space to think about after your done."

Simple Inspirations says: "It is more than a story of a dying woman, she is a women who needs to search out the goodness of her life, its worth.  Dotted with joy, victory, as well as tragedy and regrets, like a normal life is, she seeks out someone important to her in a final attempt to embrace the life that was hers."

Bee in the Bonnet says: "'Overall, this is a fun, funny, touching, well written, engaging, profoundly sad, and heartwarming story that will leave you wanting for more. By the end of this book, Delia's world had become such a part of my own that I was disappointed to turn the last page."

Seven Dogs and A Baby says: "The whole novel is sort of a journey of acceptance and there are even little bits of humor mixed in. What really strikes you is the way Delia recounts her experiences so calm, so lyrical, even when you feel crying there is something comforting about the tone of the book and the way she describes her situations."

Comments

[Suzanne B (Crunchy green Mom)]

This sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for the review!