“There’s more to life than books you know?” (Part Six)

A danger of over-sharing today, but I’ve never held back on my own self-importance! A difficult childhood meant I was brought up in the main, by my grandmother. She was my world, and was the parent I had always craved. So when I lost her to Cancer in the 1980’s, I sought solace and comfort where I could get it. Amongst my various methods, perhaps the healthiest was reading. “A Very Easy Death” by Simone de Beauvoir was the main source of comfort to me at this time. I didn’t really know much about Simone, other than she was referenced in a Lloyd Cole and the Commotions song, so she must be good!

The book tells the story of the death of Simone’s mother and the last 6 weeks of her life. It’s not an easy read, and whilst treatment, medicine and attitudes are now somewhat different, it is still relevant.

It’s a very emotional story of the relationship between mother and daughter, with the obvious themes of death and grieving, but also age in general and the medical profession. Again, like yesterday’s choice, it is not as you can imagine, an endless stream of laughs. It is however, a good introduction into Simone’s writing, and still one that can reduce me to tears through my personal memories, but also because of the writing.