Synopses & Reviews
A beautiful and affecting novel -- bittersweet and comic -- on the elusive nature of happiness
Maggie is in her early thirties, gainfully employed, between relationships, and ready for a change. But when she takes a quiz in a magazine that promises to predict the date of a person's death, she's shocked to learn she's going to die before her next birthday unless she can somehow discover contentment in life. What ensues is a quirky and satisfying journey in pursuit of true happiness, a quest that leads to unexpected joys and perceptions.
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“First-time novelist Anne Giardini delivers a powerful story [and] a character for the ages.” BookPage
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“Charming…a pleasantly entertaining journey.” Publishers Weekly
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“Giardini deserves applause for her debut effort. She clearly demonstrates a talent for distilling moments that touch the human heart.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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“A confident voice and a luminous lyrical prose style.” Boston Globe
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“Giardinis peripatetic style reveals an attractive curiosity about the infinite variety in peoples lives, both happy and sad.” Washington Post Book World
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“A fully formed new voice, poignant, funny and acute.” Fay Weldon, author of Wicked Women
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“A touching read...[that] may remind us of Carol Shields in its sensitive handling of rich characters and domestic detail.” Library Journal (starred review)
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“Giardini appreciates the difference between happy enough and deeper satisfaction, and parses these nuances with an appealingly light touch.” New York Newsday
About the Author
Anne Giardini is a lawyer and mother of three. She has written and published essays, stories, and articles on many topics and was a columnist for the National Post, one of Canada's national newspapers. She lives in Vancouver, Canada.