Since Don Quixote, novels about quirky characters who undertake a real journey and another parallel presentation of their personalities and their special way of seeing the world, have been lavished as a good argument on which to extend in a plot.
In the case of him book The rest of their lives the journey is undertaken by Ambrose, Monelle, and Samuel. The conjunction of personalities is magnetic. Ambrose as a young embalmer dedicated to his task of putting makeup on those who are going to leave this world; Monelle, a geriatric woman who also turns her work alongside the elderly into a dedicated dedication; Samuel, an old Jew who hastens his last days on the back of a terminal illness.
The point is, Samuel understands that his time is up. When he was young, Samuel survived a Nazi death camp, and the idea of death is already an old feeling treasured from those gray days. His decision to find someone to lead him to his death is firm, and compelling, as it ends up dragging Ambrose and Monelle towards that desired euthanasia.
Switzerland, as one of the most advanced countries in terms of assisted death, becomes the target of these three characters. But of course, such a journey ends up becoming the leitmotif to introduce you to the characters in depth. A journey undertaken in an improvised way and that maintains an undeniable comic tone, a typical resource to approach the idea of death with a candid smile.
But maybe Samuel isn't that close to dying. Or perhaps it is that death ends up losing his sight on a makeshift, chaotic route. Or even Samuel's high spirits with his vital companions may turn into a postponement sine die ...
A suggestive proposal, an interesting and entertaining story with which to enjoy light and entertaining reading.
You can now buy the novel El rest of his days, the new book of Jean Paul Didier Laurent, here: