What a wonderful book! 4.5 stars. This book reminds me a bit of "The Big Finish" - this new novel is about an English lady recalling her life and the huge personal sacrifices she made for family. She currently feels intolerant, lonely and very out of place in modern life. Then a new character is introduced and Eudora is swept along despite her resistance. I think most of us have known at least one Eudora and all of us how not to be the person she was in her middle years. When things don't work out as we expect, if we keep our hearts open life can be transformative.

I wanted to like this book, but there was just too much of Eudora planning her death. The relationship that would develop with Rose just took too long and I lost interest.

Publisher sent me opportunity and a teaser, I had seen reviews of it several places and hearing recommendations- I had to read it.
I began it and right away I saw why. I could not stop reading!! Reading it in a day.

An elderly woman who was born in the same house she lives in presently also intends to die in the same house. She is 85 years old, feeling her age, tired and lonely and is staring at an empty calendar. She desires respect and some dignity.
Then a knock at the door from new neighbors.
Some human kindness comes into her life.
A little girl becomes a person she cares for, shows her how to
-Be More Unicorn (more sparkly and magical).

Switch back to past
Father and her share a close bond until war separates them
Mother and sister struggle with getting along, putting Eudora in middle as peacemaker.
Problems from past … present circumstances … proves or questions
Am I happy? I'm not unhappy.

I recommend as I read it in all in a day, unable to stop reading this story!

"The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett" by Annie Lyons is a novel about an elderly woman and the decisions she makes in the final stage of her life. Instead of spending her remaining moments in solitude and misery, Eudora forms some unexpected relationships with a young girl and her family, as well as someone her age. The overall narrative unfolded pretty much how I expected with a few surprises along the way. I really liked the interweaving of Eudora's past with her present life. The story also shows that if we use love and kindness to tap at the shell of a seemingly difficult person, you might find someone warm and caring with a story to share underneath. I hope other readers enjoy this book as much as I did!