How Not to Die Alone

Please don't let the morbid title put you off. This new book from British novelist Richard Roper is funny, poignant, and life affirming. In fact, in Great Britain the title of this book is "Something to Live For," though I'll admit the U.S. moniker,

"How Not to Die Alone," better succeeds at grabbing the reader's attention.

Remember the old saying, "Oh what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive?" This is an apt thematic thread as we meet Andrew while he's interviewing for another dead-end job with British public services. Assuming another rejection, Andrew finds himself in the position of fabulist, making up a life out of whole cloth so that he can be accepted by and find common ground with the man he hopes will be his new boss.

His job? Andrew visits the homes of men and women who have died alone, often having gone days or weeks undiscovered until a nosy neighbor alerts the authorities a foul odor emanating from the apartment next door. Andrew searches through the deceased meagre belongings hoping to find enough money under a mattress to cover the burial expenses. Barring that, he may find an old Christmas card or a letter squirreled away from a long lost relative or friend. One thing is for certain. Andrew will attend the funeral, insuring that at least one person besides the minister, pays homage to the life once lived. 

Andrew's quirky co-workers assume that he goes home every evening to the comfort of the wife and two children that he waxes nostalgic about throughout the day. We readers learn that Andrew's shabby apartment harbors a magnificent train set and a computer through which Andrew lives a second,  anonymous life.

Peggy is the breath of fresh air who enters from stage left and acts as the catalyst for the sea change in Andrew's life. She is the new employee, Andrew's mentee, who in fits and starts, with humor and kindness, opens Andrew to the possibility of actually being seen, of living in the real world.
This lovely novel gently delves into aspects of loneliness and the longing for connection that dwells inside all of us. In lesser hands it might have come off as schmaltzy but I'm happy to say that I didn't find a false note throughout. This book was a welcome respite from the dark side that I tend to tred. If you're ready for a smile and a satisfied sigh then give Richard Roper a go.