In the autumn of 2022, Sarah Perry's father-in-law, David was diagnosed with cancer. He did not seem ill and had been happy, enjoying his seemingly ordinary, unexceptional life collecting stamps, watching the 'Antiques Roadshow', eating fish and chips.

He died nine days after the diagnosis.

Sarah and her husband, Robert, nursed David in those few, short, last days. it wasn't something they had anticipated and it wasn't anything Sarah felt equipped to do. But, she asks, how many of us today would be?

In the book she describes how she felt. She records the interactions with the NHS, social services and the church. She details the practicalities of all that is involved in caring for someone as their body goes through its process of shutting down. And she relates the laughter and the tears of those final days, and her conclusion that David was far from ordinary. He was an exceptional, special, unique individual as are we all.

And, as we will all face the death of loved ones and ourselves, she invites us to have conversations so that we might be better prepared than she was.

It is a very important book. While there are many books on grief and loss, she says, there are few about the actual process of dying.

It's not a distressing read. It is full of hope, love and joy and it is beautifully and thoughtfully written. 

I think everyone should read it! And if you have the opportunity to hear Sarah speak about this or any of her other books, I urge you to do so. She is eloquent, warm, open and hugely inspiring.