‘In this race between pain and death we most earnestly hoped that death would come first.’
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Despite being a short read, 'A Very Easy Death' is a touching and reflective memoir that explores Simone de Beauvoir’s complex relationship with her mother, especially during her battle with illness and eventual passing. The narrative feels raw and brutally honest, oscillating between moments of tenderness and hopelessness, showcasing a depth and sensitivity that adds weight to the story. It all makes sense when you think about de Beauvoir being an existentialist philosopher.
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Ultimately, the book offers a thought provoking exploration of grief and the unreliable nature of the human condition. Also, the Fitzcarraldo edition has a preface written by queen Ali Smith. Thank you @fitzcarraldo for the copy!
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‘When someone you love dies you pay for the sin of outliving her with a thousand piercing regrets.’