LoveReading Says
What an incredible, shattering, unforgettable story. Catherine Newman’s We All Want Impossible Things takes in all life’s joys, absurdities, devastations, and the pain of letting go. It’s tender, bold, brilliant on female friendship, and hilariously, heart-wrenchingly honest —the kind of book you’ll want to thrust on all your friends. Talking of which…
Edi and Ash have been friends for some forty years. They’ve gone through everything life can through at you together, from childhood and crazy teenage exploits, through to marriage and kids, with Ash now facing the unsettling complications of redefining her relationship with her soon-to-be ex-husband. And now, when Edi is diagnosed with terminal cancer, they’re facing Edi’s death together.
The realities of hospice life are brutal, absurdly funny and get to heart of what it is to be alive. “It’s like you walk in under a giant banner that says, EVERYONE HERE IS DYING, but then most of the time you’re just making small talk and quesadillas, trying to find something to watch on Netflix, or wondering if there’s any pie left.” As one character sagely responds, “I mean, isn’t that just life though… “We’re doing all the things, enjoying ourselves where we can, even though we’re all just going to die at the end of it.”
As the Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack blares from a neighbouring room, Ash’s life becomes attuned to Edi in ever deeper ways. They’ve always been there for each other, and now is the ultimate incarnation of that bond. Painfully accurate on the experience of seeing a loved one die, this novel is filled with love, truth and an equally accurate representation of the hysterical humour that often springs from the most devastating, absurd experiences. In a word, though, We All Want Impossible Things is breath-takingly beautiful.
Joanne Owen
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We All Want Impossible Things Synopsis
Discover the powerful Richard & Judy Book Club Pick, perfect for fans of Nora Ephron and Sorrow and Bliss
'Nora-Ephron-style wit...comforting, so funny, moving... one of my favourite books ever' MARIAN KEYES
'Newman writes loss and laughter in equally brilliant amounts.' BONNIE GARMUS
'Dazzling, heart-wrenching, snorty-hilarious... An utter joy to read' RACHEL JOYCE
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Who knows you better than your best friend? Who knows your secrets, your fears, your desires, your strange imperfect self?
Edi and Ash have been best friends for over forty years. Since childhood they have seen each other through life's milestones: stealing vodka from their parents, REM concerts, marriages, infertility, children. As Ash notes, 'Edi's memory is like the back-up hard drive for mine.'
So when Edi is diagnosed with cancer, Ash's world reshapes around the rhythms of Edi's care, from making watermelon ice cubes and music therapy to snack smuggling and impromptu excursions into the frozen winter night.
Because life is about squeezing the joy out of every moment and building a powerhouse of memories, about learning when to hold on, and when to let go.
Deeply moving yet laugh-out-loud funny, We All Want Impossible Things is a jubilant celebration of life and friendship at its imperfect, radiant, and irreverent best.
COMING SOON: Look out for SANDWICH, the joyful new novel from Catherine Newman and the perfect summer read
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Praise for We All Want Impossible Things:
Full of humour, warmth and eye-popping honesty ... a beautiful, candid and uplifting testament to female friendship that will make you laugh and cry - WOMAN & HOME
This tale of love and friendship is tender, funny, life-affirming joy. - MARIE CLAIRE, 'Best Books of 2023'
We All Want Impossible Things is a thing of rare beauty: sweet and sharp, to be devoured, then remembered and loved life-long. - i
Devastatingly funny ... handled with compassion and courage in elegant prose lightened by honest humour. - MAIL ON SUNDAY
A treat - THE SUNDAY TIMES
Remarkable ... A whip-smart, funny, beautifully observed and exquisitely characterised novel about how even the deepest of losses can be accompanied by a joyous affirmation of life. - OBSERVER
Imbued with love and humour ... this special book is in a class of its own. - EVENING STANDARD
Newman's clearsighted and bracingly funny first novel is a moving celebration of friendship, love and cherished memories - DAILY MAIL
Utterly life-affirming and joyful - RED
'You'll stay up late devouring every word' KATHERINE HEINY
'One of the best novels on friendship I've ever read' AJ PEARCE
'An absolute masterpiece in characterisation... utterly beautiful.' JOANNA CANNON
'I absolutely adored this...what a beautiful, emotional novel' JILL MANSELL
'Shot through with whip-smart humour and boundless compassion. It's one of the best debuts I've read in a long time.' HANNAH BECKERMAN
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781529177220 |
| Publication date: |
14th September 2023 |
| Author: |
Catherine Newman |
| Publisher: |
Penguin Books an imprint of Transworld |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
209 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Modern and Contemporary Fiction
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| Other Genres: |
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| Recommendations: |
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