Mrs Death Misses Death is a short novel, but is moving, and at times, difficult to read due to the subject matter.
Synopsis
It is exhausting being Mrs Death. Everyone believes Death is the Grim Reaper. No one would guess that Death is an older Black, working-class woman. Mrs Death has been there at the end of peoples’ lives since the First Morning of the First Mourning.
Now, in the present day, Mrs Death wishes to tell her story to a willing ear. Wolf Willeford is more than willing to transcribe Mrs Death’s words. He is no stranger to death, having survived a fire that killed many, including his mother.
When he sits at The Desk, he is can hear Mrs Death’s words, songs, and poems. As the two work together, they form a close bond and visualize a bright future for humanity.
Review of Mrs Death Misses Death
I have never read a book like this before. This book skillfully combines prose and verse in a very engaging way. If an audiobook releases, I will give that a listen as well. This would be perfect as an audiobook.
Death is literally in the title, so be fair warned that this isn’t always a nice and cozy story. There are discussions on real-life serial killers and their victims, which are graphic. They do not glamourize it but remind the reader that it happened. The author also discusses mental health, BLM, police brutality, and racism.
I will read whatever Salena Godden writes in the future, even if it is merely a grocery list. For now, I will take a look at her poetry and shorter works.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Expected Publication: 01 February 2022
Thank you to Canongate for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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