Something To Live For- Richard Roper-Literary fiction

(previously titled “How not to die Alone)

If you enjoyed A Man Called Ove, 600 Hours of Edward or The Hundred Year Old Man

Who Climbed Out  The Window and Disappeared then this could be just your type of book.

Andrew works for the council in the death department. Yes really. He deals with the

unfortunate souls who are found dead in their own homes, left alone and found by

accident or default. He tries to track any relatives and finances and if there is no one

then arranges the funeral- he even goes to them as often there is no one else to go.

When he applied for the job five years ago, somehow he made up a family. A wife and

two children which in the intervening period he wanted to put right but somehow the

time was never right. Each night he goes home, not to the house of his stories but to

a flat where his only companionship is his model trains. When Peggy joins the fold he

finds in her something he has not experienced for a long time- friendship and he

desperately wants to tell her the truth. I really enjoyed this. A story of a man who

life and love was passing by due to what had happened in the past. Of being cautious

and anxious and the belief that the only true person you can depend on is yourself.

Of a vulnerable character learning that life can be enjoyed and people can make

you happy and be trusted. An uplifting read to make you think about life and your

place in the world and maybe of others who may not be quite so confident.

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With the warmth of David Nicholls and the charm and humour of Nick Hornby, this brilliant debut explores one man’s attempts to let go of the past and start his life afresh.

‘Tender, funny, compelling - this wonderful book deserves to be huge!’ Lucy Foley, author of THE HUNTING PARTY

‘Funny, moving and thought-provoking - I loved this.’ - Clare Mackintosh

'A charming, humorous and life-affirming tale about human kindness that strikes a chord in a world where loneliness is a growing problem' BBC News Online, Top Fiction of 2019

‘I completely fell under its spell. It pulls you in, makes you laugh and breaks your heart - in short, does everything that you want a novel to do. While it is very much in the David Nicholls' tradition of sympathetic quirk and comedy, it is, at the same time, so fresh and different. I loved the voice, the people, the world..... Who couldn't? What an extraordinary debut.’ - Gill Hornby

‘Heart-breaking. Hilarious. Life-affirming. Some descriptions of loneliness took my breath away. This book deserves to be HUGE!’ Holly Bourne

‘Funny, moving and uplifting…I loved it.’ Libby Page, author of THE LIDO

Sometimes you need to risk everything…

To find your something

All Andrew wants is to be normal. He has the perfect wife and 2.4 children waiting at home for him after a long day. At least, that's what he's told people.

The truth is, his life isn't exactly as people think and his little white lie is about to catch up with him.

Because in all Andrew's efforts to fit in, he's forgotten one important thing: how to really live. And maybe, it's about time for him to start.