It was a joy (in the saddest way) to read this straightforward story about the death of Sarah Perry’s father in law, David.

I have been tired for a long time of memoirs about death, bereavement, grief or illness that feel the need to bring in some kind of healing journey or action. I think I was was tired of them before H is for Hawk and that was quite a while ago.

This story, told simply and very beautifully (I underlined so many sentences) documents David’s cancer diagnosis and only nine days later his death. Sarah writes about the facts and about her feelings, including the frustrations, the irritations and the love. There is so much love in this book, and it moved me to tears.

I suppose I am in place (dealing with, thinking about the recent death of my own father albeit in utterly different circumstances) where I am open to the message that its helpful to talk (write) about death in the most uncomplicated ways, but still, I recommend it to all. 

Death of an Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry will be published on 2nd October 2025. You can pre-order it from Bookshop.org here.

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