🦋🌼 💐📖 “The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip” (2022) 📖💐🌼🦋 – Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Revell (July 5, 2022)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800740270

ISBN-13: 978-0800740276

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she's been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who's just entered hospice care.

 

But there's more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she's not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it's a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that's just what Mrs. Kip will give her--but she's going to have to work for it.

 

Debut author Sara Brunsvold delights with this emotional multigenerational story that shows that the very best life is made up of thousands of little deaths to self. You'll want to be just like Mrs. Kip when you grow up!”

 

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell Books (a division of Baker Books) for providing an advanced review copy through Library Thing. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

To be honest, this was a book I wasn’t sure I wanted to read. The cover is cutesy and a bit on the “sappy” side. It didn’t sound like a bad book, but it didn’t grab me either. The title really seemed like a hilarious story, yet the “blurb” indicated there was more depth to the story.

 

Since it was the only book I saw on LT for the month, I decided to get it, and surprisingly won it. It also happened to be Revell’s Beyond the Book read for July.

 

This is the author’s debut novel, and it is a sensational debut, which is a standalone read. While it seems light-hearted, it is a deep look into a woman who’s lived probably more lives in her lifetime than anyone.

 

There are mentions of alcohol abuse, infant death, along with Vietnam and its aftermath. It also has elements of the effects of aging, cancer, end of life, and palliative care. This isn’t an easy, “heartwarming” read; but Brunsvold tempers it with humor and the bond that develops between Aidyn and Clara.

 

In addition to Clara and Aidyn; other characters are Shayna Reese (Senior Reporter); Rahmiya “Rahmi” Hiraj (Aidyn’s friend); Bella Woods (editor and Aidyn’s boss); and other support characters.

 

The story is told from Clara and Aidyn’s POVs. Aidyn is restricted to current day, with Clara’s being present day as well as the past (1969-1983).

 

This begins in 2016 with Clara moving to Sacred Promise, which will be her final move due to her terminal cancer. She’s a pip right off – she wants the room from the brochure – a room with a view of the trees and not parking lot. She then tells one of the staff that she’s trouble. While not trouble, she is “something”.

 

Aidyn has been with the Kansas City Star for a year, and is frustrated with her She, and her friend Rahmi feel she’s getting scraps and not meals for stories. Aidyn has drafted an email she is waffling on, Rahmi sends it, which doesn’t do much for Aidyn’s cause.

 

In fact, it actually hurts her cause. As a result, Bella Woods gives Aidyn a low job – write Clara Kip’s obituary.

 

Clara was widowed young, had no children. In fact, she isn’t even close to God … yet.

 

It will be in 1971 that her extraordinary life begins. It is a life that covers her job as a nurse, as well as part of a rescue effort for a Laotian couple’s children – among others.

 

And, it is as a result of that life that Aidyn finds a bigger story at the urging of her boss. Even bigger than the death with pizazz that Clara is looking for.

 

Aidyn is soon torn between doing what she’s supposed to in writing the obituary and delivering a bigger story than what she first saw. Still, there is more to Clara’s life than just her death. As Aidyn thinks to chance it, she holds back. Even worse, Shayna has – from Aidyn’s research request – found the story as well and sees her own opportunity.

 

As Clara begins to slip away, Aidyn’s confidence forces her to take a chance and hope for the best, walking in the faith that Clara has lived by in this   emotional, complex, and endearing story that will likely stick with some readers for a while.

 

The title gets its name from Clara asking Aidyn for wild ways to die as opposed to the death she is facing, along with Aidyn’s name for the article. This is Clara’s idea – for every three questions Aidyn asks, Aidyn is required to come up with an extraordinary way for Clara to die. Some were amusing, some were far-fetched, and while it could be morbid – it was one of the more entertaining aspects of the story, especially the “Harley” test-driver death. Trust me, that was – sad to say – hilarious!

 

Clara and Aidyn were the two strongest characters, and Aidyn’s growth throughout was inspiring. Shayna acted as a great “villain”; Bella was interesting but not enough for me to really have a feeling for her.

 

As far as Rahmi, I was a bit irritated by her. While Aidyn would’ve sent the email on her own; or not, which was smarter – Rahmi made the decision on her own. This actually hurt her friend in losing a story, and perhaps highlighted why Aidyn waffled. Towards the end, when Clara is in the final stages, Rahmi became a character I didn’t like by how she was reacted to the news and Aidyn’s “need” to be with the older woman.

 

The ending is one of those that would be expected if it were a Hallmark movie -sad, inspirational, and even a laugh or two.

 

I wouldn’t say this was an addictive, can’t put it down read. But, there were times I didn’t want to stop reading it; and I actually read it in four (4) hours. The short chapters and engaging story kept the story moving along and engaging. It’s safe to say that I absolutely adored this book, and I would love to read what Brunsvold has planned next.

 

This is exceptionally written and anyone who loves a good, heart-felt, endearing read is sure to want to dive into this.

 

Since it is distributed by Revell, which is more of a Christian and faith-themed publisher, there will be strong themes of faith in it. Faith is extremely important to Clara and is what she has relied on for most of her life, so it is an integral part of the story.

 

 

 

RATING:

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Sara Brunsvold creates stories that speak hope, truth, and life. Influenced by humble women of God who find his fingerprints in the everyday, she does the same in her life and her storytelling. Sara's recognitions include the 2020 ACFW Genesis Award for Contemporary Fiction. She lives with her family in Kansas City, Missouri, where she can often be spotted writing at a park or library. Learn more at www.sarabrunsvold.com.

 

 

She can also be found on the following social media networks:

 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarabrunsvoldauthor

 

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/sara_brunsvold

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SKBrunsvold  

 

 

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