TW: Death, infidelity

I wasn't totally sure what to expect when I picked How Not to Die Alone for my May Book of the Month pick. The synopsis seemed unique and funny, plus it was recommend by Liberty Hardy, who is always my go-to when I can't seem to choose, so it sounded like the right option. 

This novel follows Andrew, a 40-something government employee who scavenges homes after individuals die alone with seemingly no close friends or relatives. For the past five years, he's worked in the same role, with the same people - who all believe him to be happily married with children. So, when he becomes close to a new co-worker, he begins to feel guilty about his family, because well, they don't exist. 

This book was so quirky and unique. It was unlike anything else I've ever read before. I laughed. I cried. But mostly this book made me think, and when I thought too hard, it made me overwhelmingly sad. Keep in mind, this entire book is about death, but tries to bring a light to it. 

I really wanted to like Andrew's character - I've seen him described as a highly likable yet flawed character, but I thought he was immensely selfish. And I get that. We're all selfish in many ways - I can be incredibly selfish, but I truly thought he was terrible. He's the protagonist, so I wanted things to work out for him, but I just disliked him (which isn't the general consensus, it seems). I did very much like Peggy, for the most part, and I appreciated Andrew's boss and his responsibilities - he was just a kind person trying to be well-liked. 

"What was he going to do next - throw a television out of a window? Ride a motorbike into a swimming pool?" - How Not to Die Alone, Richard Roper

The story was overall fun and enjoyable, though it focused on a not so fun and enjoyable topic. There were definitely character flaws, though the characters were well-written and the book itself was written well. I can definitely see myself reading more from Richard Roper. 

Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆