Death Need Not Be Fatal
by Malachy McCourt; Brian McDonald
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Pub Date May 16 2017 | Archive Date Jun 16 2017
Description
During the course of his life, Malachy McCourt practically invented the single's bar; was a pioneer in talk radio, a soap opera star, a best-selling author; a gold smuggler, a political activist, and a candidate for governor of the state of New York.
It seems that the only two things he hasn't done are stick his head into a lion's mouth and die. Since he is allergic to cats, he decided to write about the great hereafter and answer the question on most minds: What's so great about it anyhow?
In Death Need Not Be Fatal, McCourt also trains a sober eye on the tragedies that have shaped his life: the deaths of his sister and twin brothers; the real story behind Angela's famous ashes; and a poignant account of the death of the man who left his mother, brothers, and him to nearly die in squalor. McCourt writes with deep emotion of the staggering losses of all three of his brothers, Frank, Mike, and Alphie. In his inimitable way, McCourt takes the grim reaper by the lapels and shakes the truth out of him.
As he rides the final blocks on his Rascal scooter, he looks too at the prospect of his own demise with emotional clarity and insight. In this beautifully rendered memoir, McCourt shows us how to live life to its fullest, how to grow old without acting old, and how to die without regret.
Advance Praise
"The idea of death may indeed take away a lot of things, but it cannot take away a great man's sense of humour. Malachy McCourt, as always, goes to the coalface and manages to dig out a tunnel of light." --- Colum McCann, author of Let the Great World Spin
"A lovely 'wee' book with a huge questing soul. Written with a twinkle in one eye and a tear in the other. Mr. McCourt writes with an openness and rawness about a Dickensian childhood and a life richly lived thereafter, discovering along the way the liberation of true forgiveness and the healing quality of love. I couldn't put it down." --- Liam Neeson
"Malachy McCourt's new book DEATH NEED NOT BE FATAL is one you must get and read and weep and laugh and sing over! A fabulous, funny, joyous journey. McCourt's own life and stories are hilarious and heartbreaking. Celebrate the laughter and the Irish humor that makes us all remember what it takes to do our time here, determined to live forever. DEATH NEED NOT BE FATAL will help you remember who you are and who you love. I loved it!" --- Judy Collins
"Malachy McCourt is a born storyteller. The colorful reflections on his life and his musings about death are lyrical and bittersweet, and of course given the author, filled with humor." --- Ed Burns
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781478917069 |
| PRICE | $36.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 288 |
Featured Reviews
Rosemary C, Reviewer
Malachi McCourt, the last living member of the McCourt family made famous by brother Frank's ANGELA'S ASHES, discusses his feelings about death, the "civil right" of every human being. The title and the outrageous cover perfectly portray the tone of the book, humorous, serious and semi-serious, offering many amusing anecdotes and one-liners.
Lee P, Educator
Despite the rather weighty subject matter, I felt like I was able to speed through this book like it was a lighthearted and cheerful read.
I am not like Malachy McCourt, I do fear death. It sometimes becomes a bit of an obsession for me and it can even be terrifying. But in 'Death Need Not Be Fatal' McCourt succeeds in making even me feel a little more cheery about the least cheery of subjects. I mean, you could have this as a light holiday read, yet it's about dying. It somehow feels like I could read this on the beach relaxing and raise the odd smile and laugh, but, it's about dying! How unusual. I suppose that is what creates the book's charm.
This is a quick, quirky, witty and decent read.
(based on ARC)
Laura J, Reviewer
Death Need Not Be Fatal by Malachy McCourt with Brian McDonald is a memoir of sorts. It pulls from events in his life both tragic and humorous - sometimes both at the same time.
From the synopsis: "It seems the only two things he hasn't done are stick his head into a lion's mouth and die. Since he is allergic to cats, he decided to write about the great hereafter..."
As expected, much of the book focuses on deaths and how they have affected him. The last part of the book is something of a contemplation of his own death. He says, "Any day on this side of the grass is a good day." And he talks about reading the "Irish Sporting Pages" - otherwise known as the obituaries.
I hadn't read any of his previous books or his brother Frank's books. So I wasn't at all familiar with the subject matter he draws on most - their lives. You don't need to have any familiarity with it though to enjoy the book and his stories.
"I'll try to keep the lies to a minimum, but I never let truth get in the way of a good story, and a lie is just a dream that might come true." location 101 on my Kindle
So after a while, I wondered how much might be exaggeration. I decided to take most of it at face value.
Overall, it's a good and interesting book. It has a conversational tone. It's like he's sitting there telling you these stories from his life. I give it 4 stars out of 5.
Death Need Not Be Fatal was published May 16, 2017 by Center Street.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. My review is my own opinion and freely given.
Melissa M, Reviewer
Malachy McCourt’s farewell to a life lived, if not always well, but fully, is like attending the wake of an old friend. With humor and regret, about evenly mixed, he tells the story of the deaths of his brothers and sisters, of his parents, and of friends he has known. While his body is wearing out, his mind and memory are sharp, and he celebrates the joys of the moment in the moment. An inspiring way to live, and to die.
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