The characters are intricately developed, and the narrative unfolds with a delicate blend of heartache and hope. This novel is a compelling meditation on the ephemeral nature of existence, offering readers a profound and reflective journey through the lens of mortality.

A stream of consciousness novel focused on the effects of illness and dying on people's mental health and relationships. Feels like the perfect time to read it as we slowly make our way out of the global pandemic. Will have you question your mortality.

Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy.

I have been fortunate enough to have read an ARC of Anna Defrost's debut novel and just finished an ARC of her sophomore novel, OUR LONG MARVELOUS DYING. As a healthcare professional, I appreciate her raw, honest and enlightening voice on palliative care. I think whether or not you have worked in healthcare or have experience caring for a loved one at the end, this is a very important read. Thank you for the eARC!

Such an interesting read, I quite liked how this was sort of an observation of death in the sense of it being the time you most reflect on your life and learn to appreciate the small things. Definitely leaves you thinking! I will recommend this to anyone intrigued!

"Our Long Marvelous Dying" by Anna DeForest is a poignant exploration of the human experience in the face of mortality. DeForest's lyrical prose beautifully captures the complexities of life, death, and the spaces in between. The characters are intricately developed, and the narrative unfolds with a delicate blend of heartache and hope. This novel is a compelling meditation on the ephemeral nature of existence, offering readers a profound and reflective journey through the lens of mortality.

This book was both what I hoped for and also not what I was expecting, all thanks to the author's choice of writing in 1st person.

The connection I felt to the narrator was unmatched. Being on their side the entire time, it felt like you were in the rooms as an intern. The thought process and experiences discussed were refreshing in a "wow, I'm really not alone" way, which was validating to say the least.

I thoroughly enjoyed how the author hints at COVID being the main illness, but never explicitly mentioned that's what the story revolved around. This detail allowed for a personal experience without throwing me back into the real world.

The only issue I may have with this book is the tendency to go off on a tangent. I found myself wanting to continue the thought, but the narrator had already moved passed it. Not a large issue, once you realize this is clearly an unreliable narrator, but still minorly confusing at times.

This was a truly thought-provoking read that I would easily recommend to anyone having difficulty registering the pandemic and/or the deaths that came of it.

As my medical school graduation is 3 months away and I have a keen interest in palliative care, I loved this book. It was a reflection on the emotionally impossible work that palliative physicians do each day, along with the roller coaster of home life, and navigating relationships with others and oneself. I also loved that Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) was mentioned a couple times, as I have done a palliative rotation back home in Canada and participated in quite a few MAiD cases.

I am both looking forward to joining this field of work in the near future, and for a reread of this book when things feel too much.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

DeForest's auto fiction is a powerful exploration akin to Annie Ernaux's work, transcending relationship details to delve into human existence and our encounter with death. The narrator, a palliative care doctor, weaves personal regrets with those of her patients, navigating the complexities of the Covid era. The narrative is a mix of joys, horrors, and the truth of life's end. Balancing travel's solace and home-life anxiety in NYC, the narrator seeks inner calm amid chaos.

Writing about death and dying isn't easy and I applaud DeForest for a book about both. The title and cover made me want to read this one. I didn't love the story but gathered what DeForest was trying to explain. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

DeForest does a wonderful job of connecting with the reader for topics that tend to be avoided in conversation. The logistics and dialogue was comfortable, yet thought-provoking at the same time. Truly an intelligent and entertaining read if you struggle with dying and what comes of it after you're gone!

The title and cover immediately drew me in. As someone who contemplates their existence, the fragility of life, and death at least once a day, it was nice to be inside the mind of a main character that feels the same. I'm actually finding it difficult to articulate my thoughts on this book. It’s certainly unlike anything I’ve read before. I can’t say that it was an enjoyable experience, but I don’t think it’s meant to be. We follow along a freshly graduated female palliative doctor during COVID. Deforest speaks with such heart and experience. It was just as depressing as it sounds but I found it very thoughtful and insightful. This will appeal to a very particular audience, but if the synopsis catches your attention it is worth reading.