April 25, 2022
A terminally ill septuagenarian teaches a young journalist the importance of loving God and community in Brunsvold’s uplifting debut. Aidyn Kelley, tired of covering small local stories at the Kansas City Star, goes behind her editor’s back to ask her managing editor for a feature. Aidyn’s editor finds out and punishes her by making her write an obituary for Clara Kip, a cheerful 79-year-old widow dying of cancer in a nearby hospice facility. Aidyn’s first interviews with Clara are perfunctory and awkward, but Clara agrees to open up about her life on one condition: Aidyn must invent “extraordinary deaths” for Clara. As Aidyn weaves glorious tales of imaginary deaths (“attacked by a ridiculously large shark,” “rappelling off a skyscraper to save her family from a mad-man”), she discovers that Clara helped resettle Laotian refugees in Kansas City after the Vietnam War and realizes the story has the makings of a feature. Clara, for her part, determines to show Aidyn the transformative power of Christianity and that “the grave is not my final home.” Clara’s vivaciousness in the face of death makes her a captivating protagonist, and readers will appreciate her poignant reflections on faith and renewal: “God is the God of new life.” Inspirational fans will want to snap this up.
May 15, 2022
Rookie reporter Aidyn Kelley craves a big break at the Kansas City Star, and a dying woman's obituary is definitely not what she had in mind. But there is more to the assignment, and her spry source, than what meets the eye. Clara Kip insists her life has been ordinary beyond imagination, and her only regret is the inability to leave this earth with a bang. Yet as Aidyn slowly uncovers the suffering, sacrifice, and impact of Clara's work, especially Clara's support of the city's Laotian refugee community, Aidyn is determined to prove that Clara's life has been nothing short of extraordinary. Brunsvold's first novel is a moving story that brings attention to the history of Kansas City's refugee resettlement efforts during the 1970s. With a truly compassionate protagonist, Brunsvold reverently creates a space for readers to reflect on living with vivacity and dying with dignity, and Clara's devout Christian faith holds it all together. This heartfelt portrait of a life simply but generously lived is testament to the deep significance of individual influence and a legacy of goodness.
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June 1, 2022
DEBUT Young reporter Aidyn Kelly is anxious for a real assignment, one that will build her career and allow her to use her writing talents. When she steps out of line, she is instead handed the dubious task of writing an obituary for a local woman who is still alive. Meanwhile in hospice fighting cancer, septuagenarian Clara Kip, lover of chocolate chip cookies and Jesus, is more than happy to share her story but Aidyn must go through hoops to get it by inventing an extraordinary death for Mrs. Kip. Her life itself that has been extraordinary in more ways than one so the death should match. As the reporter begins to dig up more evidence, she connects with sources from Clara's past. VERDICT The themes of grace and faith are strong throughout and the topic of refugees is evergreen and will resonate with today's readers. However, at times, the narrative style is detail filled and heavy on backstory, which makes for a more plodding read. May appeal to readers of character driven fiction.--Julia M. Reffner
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