The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett: A Novel

Written by Annie Lyons

Narrated by Nicolette McKenzie

USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

""One adorably British odd couple . . . Charming."" — People

“An exquisitely poignant tale of life, friendship and facing death . . . heart-breaking yet ultimately uplifting . . Everyone should read this book.” — Ruth Hogan, author of Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel

Infused with the emotional power of Me Before You and the irresistible charm of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and Be Frank with Me, a moving and joyous novel about an elderly woman ready to embrace death and the little girl who reminds her what it means to live.

It's never too late to start living.

Eudora Honeysett is done with this noisy, moronic world—all of it. She has witnessed the indignities and suffering of old age and has lived a full life. At eighty-five, she isn’t going to leave things to chance. Her end will be on her terms. With one call to a clinic in Switzerland, a plan is set in motion. 

Then she meets ten-year-old Rose Trewidney, a whirling, pint-sized rainbow of sparkling cheer. All Eudora wants is to be left alone to set her affairs in order. Instead, she finds herself embarking on a series of adventures with the irrepressible Rose and their affable neighbor, the recently widowed Stanley—afternoon tea, shopping sprees, trips to the beach, birthday celebrations, pizza parties. 

While the trio of unlikely BFFs grow closer and anxiously await the arrival of Rose’s new baby sister, Eudora is reminded of her own childhood—of losing her father during World War II and the devastating impact it had on her entire family. In reflecting on her past, Eudora realizes she must come to terms with what lies ahead. 

But now that her joy for life has been rekindled, how can she possibly say goodbye? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9780063026094

Annie Lyons

After a career in bookselling and publishing, Annie Lyons published numerous books in the U.K. and The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett in the U.S. When not working on her novels, she teaches creative writing. She lives in south-east London with her husband and two children.

Reviews for The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett

[Natalia · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Too cliche for me but if you are looking for a warm, cute story this book might be for you

[Mara Hamann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very sweet redemptive story of how kindness and pursuing someone to be their friend can truly change their life! No crude language or sexual content. Very similar to A Man Called Ove minus the strong language.

[Brenda Steger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So delightful! I love this story and the narration is perfect! It has a depth and heart. Exactly what I needed.

[Wendy Turner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a terrific book from start to finish. I cannot wait to read more from Annie Lyons.

[Luetta Garman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Perfect! Nothing over the top - just enough to bring you into their story!

[Jessica Williams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book will stay with me for a long time. Beautifully written, witty, warm and thought provoking. 5 stars and then some.

[Karen Zundel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Audio voices wonderful!
Uplifting story for all ages.
Dialogue is especially delightful

[MA BAn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow, just wow. What an I redo my heartwarming story with so much humor. I loved it but wished it would have gone on a couple more hours. Oh, and the narrator was amazing and talented.

[Elaine Fendt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely wonderful - it has a great message and the reader made the characters come to life. I highly recommend this book!

[Brenda Pickering · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the storyline , the ending I wanted more from ! Although a good read !!

[Iz Tee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

That was so delightful! Made me teary in some parts ? the relationships in the book are amazing

[LMW · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just a lovely, warm book full of memorable characters, especially Rose. I put off listening to the last few chapters because I didn’t want to leave their world. Need a nice winter read? This is your treat.

[Prince Maquited · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.3 Stars!
This is almost the same as A Man Called Ove. But still great!
The main character has experienced a different tragic past.

I enjoyed it!

[Fawziya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator brought it to life. Eudora is such a gem, Rose the star and everyone else the amazing friends and community we all need in our lives. With a lesson on how the simplest of ways to show up for people can be life saving.

[Maria Silveria Grassi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So sweet and calming. Respectful and honest. 4.5 rounded up. Lovely characters and an amazing narrator. Took me out of my slump.

[Dayna Bennett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a sweet story with a satisfying, full circle ending. It managed not to be overly sentimental or manipulative and was similar to A Man Called Ove in some ways. Narration spot on.

[sarah Oneill · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this book
The characters are all fabulous and relatable. I laughed and cried and will diffidently will be listening to more books by Annie Lyons

[Marta Em · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a lovely, cute, fairytale-like book. Eleanor Oliphant at 85!

[EmmaSakura · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Got me right in the feels. The audio book was so well done, great job on the voices

[Katie McGovern · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Surprisingly delightful. A good read for an elder dealing with similar life experience. It’s a hopeful story.

[Praise · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such an incredible heart warming book. As soon as i started, I was hooked. I ended up finishing this book in one day!

[Carrie Arnold · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book so much. Before I was even halfway through, I bought it for my mom.
Great story, and all the characters are wonderfully written. My only advice, have some tissues ready.

[Larissa Vin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful, life-affirming story and audiobook. Beautifully performed by the narrator. Highly recommend.

[Maneet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Totally totally loved it with all its humour and wit. A very refreshing read and entertaining

[Lisa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this easy read, feel good book, that speaks to the importance of kindness.

[Lori Ireland Mills · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A lovely story and a brilliant audio performance! I loved it!

[kruz01 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyable story.

[Lucia Garcia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet, sad, and lovely.
It is definitely predictable, especially the second that Rose steps into the story.
Still... I had all the feelings seeing Eudora through her process. Memories of love, of pain, treason, and lost dreams. How she accepts and heals, and this alloslws her to let in new live and new happiness.

[muumuumousie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful, heart-wrenching, poignant. I had a very hard time reading this one. Very well-written, with characters that seem to leap off the page. It's life-affirming, yes, but it's also very sad and, in many respects, bleak. It made me nostalgic for the past, and mournful for that which was lost, and the loneliness in this story is palpable. The characters are all quite lovely, and reading them was a joy. Even the antagonist—the closest this book comes to an antagonist, anyway—is still a sympathetic and tragic figure. This book is not for everyone, but if you like a good tearjerker, you'll probably find your bliss here. A well-crafted and extraordinary volume.

There is a cat in the story. The cat dies. He is hit by a car and carried immediately, still living, into the house so that he can die in his home. The people who know him all gather around to tell him they love him as he passes. It's brutal to read, but it's also a scene filled with love and warmth. Later, Eudora buys a kitten for the little girl to love.

[Saiyara · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don’t read this genre often. I’m glad I decided to read this one. A simple, yet absolutely beautiful, heart touching story. These are the kind of books I call ‘comfort books’. I felt joy reading this book. Much needed joy.