Lily Harford's Last Request is a beautifully written story dealing with the controversial question of assisted dying.
Lily is in her 80s. She has been a successful businesswoman and single mother. She was once full of vitality and loving life. She had a beautiful home surrounded by memories. As her dementia progresses, we see snippets of her past life as a young and vibrant young woman.
Now her body is racked with arthritis and her memory and faculties are diminishing.
Reluctantly, her daughter Pauline feels it is time for Lily to move to assisted care at Blue Vista.
As her dementia gets worse Lily wants to die on her own terms before
She asks Donna to help her end her life before dementia gets worse and she no longer recognises her loved ones or at least partly care for herself. Donna feels for Lily and understands the reasons for the request but explains, apart from it being illegal, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Lily then makes the same request from Pauline who also explains she couldn’t help.
We know from the beginning of the book someone does assist Lily but who was it?
Throughout the story, Lily reflects on her past life, her short time with a loving husband and gives us insight into the younger and very capable Lily.
There are four other key characters in the story – Pauline (Lily’s daughter), Sam (Pauline’s husband), Donna (one of Lily’s carers), and Frank who also lives at Blue Vista.
Pauline adores and admires her mother but while she thinks she is doing the right thing for her mother; feels she is abandoning her. Pauline has a responsible job as headmistress. Add this to being a wife, mother and grandmother she is feeling the stress and pressure.
Sam loves his wife, is a supportive husband, and adores his mother-in-law. He is a wonderful character and does everything he can for Lily.
Donna is one of the caregivers at Blue Vista who has a close bond with Lily. She loves her job and is a very caring person but because of her broken marriage and childhood experiences lacks confidence in her personal life. Her character is well developed and likable.
Frank is a resident of Blue Vista who is also fond of Lily. He doesn’t feature a great deal in the book but plays a key part in the twist at the end.
Joanna Buckley has written her story with great sensitivity from the viewpoints of Lily Pauline and Donna. All the characters seem real and easy to relate to.
At 72 I can relate to all three women – Lily with my advancing years and wondering what the future holds; Pauline as a daughter having to deal with my mother’s dementia as well as a mother and grandmother; and Donna’s lack of confidence in my working life. All characters are real, believable, and likable.
Lily Harford's Last Request is Joanna Buckley’s first book and I look forward to reading her future stories. It is a book I would not hesitate to recommend.
It would make an excellent one for reading groups and has suggestions for discussion points at the end of the book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes.
My rating 5*
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