The best part about this story is the sweet relationship between Eudora and the young girl next door. They needed each other and helped each other through their challenges. The fact that Eudora had flashbacks to different experiences in her life brought in a historical feel and helped me to see why Eudora behaves and thinks the way she does. I really enjoyed the story and as a bonus, it helped me understand my elderly mother better and the life and feelings she is experiencing.

Eudora Honeysett ,85 years old has decided to die on her own terms, as she’s had enough of her life so makes arrangements for assisted suicide. But then big hearted 10 year old Rose moves next door, and slowly reintroduces Eudora to the joys of living as a true friendship grows between them and her neighbor Stanley, who shows her many kindnesses. Alternating chapters go back to Eudora’s childhood when she promises her father as he’s going off to WW2 to always look after her mother and baby sister , Stella. When her father dies, Eudora’s whole life, even as a child, makes it her lifes work to make sure the two of them are taken care of and happy. Her mother is ungrateful and not much of a mother at all, and Stella is more than a handful so Eudora is constantly refereeing the hate between her mother and her sister and really has no life.
A beautifully written and wonderful story filled with life lessons. Perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove.

If you loved A Man Called Ove or Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, then this book is for you. Touching and poignant, 10 year old Rose teaches Eudora the meaning of life, friendship and facing death. You will fall in love with plucky Rose who has her owns fashion style and brashness. At 85 years of age, Eudora finds friendships that have eluded her her entire life. The story reveals her sad and overbearing family dynamics that lead Eudora to a life of servitude to her mother, guilt over her sister and lost loves. This is a thoughtful book, beautifully written.

What a lovely, lovely story! It was a delight following Eudora’s late life, and I quite liked how you had a glimpse of what her life was and might have been had she made a different choice.

I love Eudora Honeysett. She’s old, fierce, smart, funny and ready for her life to be over. Other than her cat, she doesn’t feel she has anything to live for. That is, until Rose, a young child, moves in next door and charmingly inserts herself into Eudora’s life. Eudora will never be the same.

Eudora is certainly a woman of a different era. Proper British upbringing in the midst of WWII troubles. She adores her father who asks her to care for her Mum and the baby soon to come while he has to go to war. Then Dora's life gets turned upside down and she finds herself being the caretaker of both Mum and sister Stella, never really having a life of her own. The author immerses us in Eudora's present life as we are treated to a piece of her history at the end of each chapter. We better understand why Eudora now 85 and alone has decided to go to Switzerland and legally end her life, i.e. if she passes scrutiny and steps. But then young Rose and her family move in next door and Stanley shows kindness that politeness dictates she returns. Before you know it, Eudora finds herself with true friends. One can't help but be drawn in to this wonderful story which had me smiling for most, and sobbing for much of the end. The small touches that accompany the life of a senior living alone, who then embraces visiting a senior center despite her reservations, how so many present moments relate to memories of a younger time are true to life. Eudora, despite her age and solitary lifestyle, still knows the importance of taking care of herself, and though she contemplates death, is not the type to give up on the day to day. We can tell she is not depressed; she is more determined. As the story closes, we come away learning that fear is not as powerful as one may think when it comes to death once we understand it is just a natural part of living after all.

What a lovely book! So many great life lessons here and so timely with what’s going on in the world right now. How loneliness doesn’t have to rule or waste your life. How if you open your heart and mind, there could be a mountain of happiness as close as next door. I love Ruby and her parents but a part of me thinks that there aren’t many families like that anymore. People nowadays are too selfish and cold. If anything this book is a reminder of how things could be and should be if only we choose to wake up.

Eudora Honeysett is getting old. She has lived a long, if not particularly fulfilling life. She has no family or friends and has convinced herself that it’s just fine that way. Ten year old Rose moves in next door and turns Eudora’s ideas around. As Eudora makes additional friends and begins to enjoy herself, her self-imposed shell begins to crack. A decision that Eudora had previously made seems less like a good idea until a breach in one of her friendships changes her mind again. I couldn’t put this down as I wanted to see what Eudora decided. Annie Lyons crafted very believable characters and very believable scenarios. I look forward to reading other works by Ms. Lyons.

What a wonderful book! 4.5 stars. This book reminds me a bit of "The Big Finish" - this new novel is about an English lady recalling her life and the huge personal sacrifices she made for family. She currently feels intolerant, lonely and very out of place in modern life. Then a new character is introduced and Eudora is swept along despite her resistance. I think most of us have known at least one Eudora and all of us how not to be the person she was in her middle years. When things don't work out as we expect, if we keep our hearts open life can be transformative.

I wanted to like this book, but there was just too much of Eudora planning her death. The relationship that would develop with Rose just took too long and I lost interest.

Publisher sent me opportunity and a teaser, I had seen reviews of it several places and hearing recommendations- I had to read it.
I began it and right away I saw why. I could not stop reading!! Reading it in a day.

An elderly woman who was born in the same house she lives in presently also intends to die in the same house. She is 85 years old, feeling her age, tired and lonely and is staring at an empty calendar. She desires respect and some dignity.
Then a knock at the door from new neighbors.
Some human kindness comes into her life.
A little girl becomes a person she cares for, shows her how to
-Be More Unicorn (more sparkly and magical).

Switch back to past
Father and her share a close bond until war separates them
Mother and sister struggle with getting along, putting Eudora in middle as peacemaker.
Problems from past … present circumstances … proves or questions
Am I happy? I'm not unhappy.

I recommend as I read it in all in a day, unable to stop reading this story!

"The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett" by Annie Lyons is a novel about an elderly woman and the decisions she makes in the final stage of her life. Instead of spending her remaining moments in solitude and misery, Eudora forms some unexpected relationships with a young girl and her family, as well as someone her age. The overall narrative unfolded pretty much how I expected with a few surprises along the way. I really liked the interweaving of Eudora's past with her present life. The story also shows that if we use love and kindness to tap at the shell of a seemingly difficult person, you might find someone warm and caring with a story to share underneath. I hope other readers enjoy this book as much as I did!