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LONGLISTED FOR THE GORDON BURN PRIZE
Mrs Death tells her intoxicating story in this life-affirming fire-starter of a novel
Mrs Death has had enough. She is exhausted from an eternity of her job and now seeks someone to unburden her conscience to. Wolf Willeford, a troubled young writer, is well acquainted with death, but until now hadn't met Death in person: a black, working-class woman who shape-shifts and does her work unseen.
Enthralled by her stories, Wolf begins to write Mrs Death's memoirs. Together they travel across time and place to witness deaths of past and present. As the two reflect on the losses they have experienced (or facilitated) their friendship grows into a surprising affirmation of hope, resilience and love. All the while, despite her world-weariness, Death must continue to hold humans' fates in her hands, appearing in our lives when we least expect her . . .
About the author
Salena Godden
Summary
WINNER OF THE INDIE BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS
SHORTLISTED FOR THE GORDON BURN PRIZE
Mrs Death tells her intoxicating story in this life-affirming fire-starter of a novel
Mrs Death has had enough. She is exhausted by her job and now seeks someone to unburden her conscience to.
She meets Wolf, a troubled young writer, who - enthralled by her stories - begins to write Mrs Death's memoirs. As the two reflect on the losses they have experienced (or facilitated), their friendship flourishes. All the while, despite her world-weariness, Death must continue to hold humans' fates in her hands, appearing in our lives when we least expect her . . .
Additional text
Salena Godden's pin-sharp ability to mine the intricacies of human nature fuels her long-awaited debut novel, a life-affirming and unflinching treatise on death and its stark realities. Always playful, infused with her trademark humour and commitment to truth, Godden reinvents the form while staying true to an emotional honesty that's as forthright as it is courageous. Mrs Death's finale is some of the most powerful writing I've read in years. Here is necessary, beautiful work. Thank God for Godden
