“A beautifully layered read that gives so many perspectives on boomer experiences of life, aging and death. Done with humour and tenderness, this book gives great insights into MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying). Bravo!” – Anne
“I really enjoyed this book, and especially its three main characters, a nurse, a housekeeper, and a young man with ALS, all of whom meet in a long-term care facility. There was a lovely blend of humour with the stark realities of lives that haven’t gone as planned. I highly recommend reading it! Read this with my Book Club. So much to discuss! Great characterizations: I found myself understanding if not liking them, Daphne really rounded out the people in her novel.” – Catherine
“It becomes pretty apparent in this book that life is not easy and it’s often not fair. However, being resilient has its benefits and camaraderie comes in all shapes and sizes. Two things that I took away from this book are how fortunate I am and that a little humor mixed with a little kindness goes a long way.” – Rose
“A remarkable first book, sensitively written, telling the story of three less fortunate people in our world managing their lives thru illness, loneliness and disappointment. Their characters come to life and I was transported into their lives very quickly. Gradually the three lives intersect and despite their inner battles, they slowly find their identity and their place of belonging. This book describes courage for me in a new way and I am very glad to have read it. Thank you Daphne!” – Dennice
“This author Daphne Leonie Wright is not afraid to face the final frontier, and she delicately guides her readers and characters to this final resting place. Through intertwining her three carefully crafted characters, she takes the reader on a “journey” through the latter parts of their lives there they eventually come to terms with the choices they made.
This is an important book and deserves five stars for its thought-provoking sensitive topics. The book is a timely must read, and brings MAID out of the closet. This is truly humanity in its final frontier.” – Deborah G
“This book exceeded my expectations. The author used her expertise and knowledge of working as a nurse and her insights of people to create a story that keeps you reading. The author’s writing style and her character development makes the reader interested from page one to the end! LOVED IT!” – Vancouver 2
“Each character-a nurse, a cleaner and a gay man with a life limiting illness- is alone and struggling as the novel begins. The writer creates relatable personal descriptions with humour and great empathy. Ultimately, all three are able to connect and support one another in an end of life scene. Beautifully written.” – Kim P
“A great read, a very interesting story.
The writing was excellent and the story cleverly developed. I got attached to the 3 main characters with their qualities and flaws. It was an uplifting book even if it was sad at times. I found myself laughing one moment and crying the next. I highly recommend this book.” – Danielle Bergstrom
“I enjoyed this book immensely for a number of reasons. To my mind it totally captured the zeitgeist of contemporary urban culture and it was done with tremendous wit in a down-to-earth style. The characters were well developed, not too much detail to be brash but enough to fully expand the flavour of lives trapped in inhumane bureaucracies (social, economic and emotional) of indifference. It truly speaks of our day (sadly). I could identify with the struggles of all three characters. And lastly, it was on a topic I had not really explored for myself yet. So many implications; social, ethical, religious, moral and so personal . . . so very personal!! None of us, after all, are getting out of here alive.” – B. Laface
“An emotional read.
An excellent insight into the lives and emotions of three diverse, yet connected people. Their struggles to cope, and deal with difficulties, are thoughtfully presented by the author with sensitivity, and at times, even humour. An enjoyable, mindful read.” – Judith Fulton
“I really loved this book.It is written with sensitivity and humour.You can’t help but love the 3 main characters and become engaged as they each deal with their struggles and help and learn from each other.The author has a honest and heartfelt style.I hope she writes more books.” – Elizabeth Robertson (Reviewed in Canada on June 19, 2024)
“I love how Daphne has created such relatable characters – they just draw me in with their stories. I really enjoy the short chapters, going back and forth with the 3 characters – i like that style of writing. Also how relevant their problems are in our current world. I’m just at the beginning of their journey and can’t wait to see how they all connect and support each other.” – NJC
“This book is beautifully and tenderly written.
Main characters Fiona, Brice and Adelina are lovely, “ordinary” (yet in their own way, “extra-ordinary”), work-a-day people who meet up and befriend each other at a retirement home. They generate feelings of compassion, humility, respect, surrender, and perseverance. Upon finishing the book, I felt compelled to listen to Paul Simon’s American Tune in their honour.
I really like how the author describes and enters us into a sense of marginalized place and time – the last of the three buildings at Waterview Retirement Village during the night shift.
The book touches on many relatable and relevant topics such as: job loss, job change, financial concerns, aging, illness, loneliness, grieving the loss of a partner, adapting to retirement home/assisted living, intimate partner abuse, homophobia, the initial red flags of substance abuse, and M.A.I.D. Can imagine it being a very good choice for book club sharing!
Thank you so much for the writing and sharing of this book Daphne. I look forward to experiencing any future writings you may do!” – Mary
“A microcosm is created in this novel, when 3 strangers worlds converge. Fiona, Brice and Adelina meet at a retirement village at what first appears to be the falling down of so many of life’s dominoes.The novel grapples with the timely issues of burnout, job loss, lack of medical staff and MAID.
The three main characters find the capacity to move out from their internal worries to embrace each other, and in doing so, find love, belonging and community.
This novel is a welcome addition to my library and I look forward to reading more books from this author. Once you have picked up the book and read it too, I believe that you will come away with the same sentiment. As the book demonstrates, one may find pink roses and rainbow balloons if we choose to look for them.” – Susan W
“Poignant, touching, sad, funny, a relatable current day story with large and small moments of kindness and joy.
Loved the characters, felt as though I had met them some time ago and we were all just coming up to speed on where we were in life. I wanted to know more about Fiona, Adelina and Brice, they were so real, their stories held me captive.
Daphne tackled the huge and timely topic of MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying-Canada) deftly and with sensitivity. She is a gifted story teller, as this is her first novel, I can’t wait to hear more from her.” – Kathleen
“On Love and Death an Belonging is the story of 3 seemingly random world-weary people whose lives intersect. It deals with burnout, domestic abuse, faith, advancing illness, palliative care, and MAID (medical assistance in dying) with empathy and wit. The writing is clear, vivid and descriptive. Looking forward to more books from this first time author!” – Cristina
“Well crafted, with imaginative descriptives and witty asides. Dealing with the not always kind twists and turns in life. The realities of today’s economic models, personal struggles, and the challenges of getting older, and in particular, one character facing a serious illness, three strangers are brought together as if by fate. A sense of humanity and hope shines through though.” – Alan Jones
“I liked the characters and the way the story evolves. Loved how the writing flows in a smooth way. Touching.” – Monnalisa
