The Living End

by Lisa Samson

Book Overview

Delightfully fresh … A fine example of the strides being made in evangelical Christian fiction, which other CBA novelists would do well to emulate. Publishers Weekly. Pearly Laurel is devastated by... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578565979
• ISBN13: 9781578565979
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Waterbrook Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Book-Recovering From Loss. A+++ Samson!

This is the first of Samson I have ever read, and I really enjoyed it a lot. Pearly, quite an eccentric character, loses her husband to a massive stroke. In the beginning of the book is when Joey dies, and Pearly is totally grief-stricken. So much so that she is really in deep denial and can't attend the funeral or anything. She has a friend arrange the whole thing as she just can't face it. In going through Joey's keepsakes, she finds his journal that he has kept up for years. He was always such a strong believer in God, and had a lot of faith, whereas Pearly never did any of it. As Pearly goes through the journal, she finds her husband worried a lot about Pearly's lack of concern for God and prayer. She also finds a list of what Joey intended to do while he was alive, and Pearly, needing fulfillment somewhere in her life know, decides to fulfill her husband's wishes. But after she does this, she wants to die and be with her husband, and she has plans for suicide after accomplishing this. Well, as the story moves right along events happen to Pearly that will change circumstances. And it takes a long time, but eventually she'll come to believe, and finally fulfilled seeing that life has a purpose for her; in fact many purposes.

Samson does it again

Lisa Samson draws such vivid, real characters that I feel like I know them. Or want to. Their quirkiness is always endearing and their actions authentic. The Living End is no different. Pearly Laurel could be me. Or my best friend. Maybe you. Written with incredible skill, and amazing attention to the truth of her character, I found it a difficult story to read but compelling nonetheless. A story, and people, that make you care. Can it get any better?

Another great book by Lisa Samson

The book was about a women whose husband/soulmate dies unexpectantly after a stroke. She is quite devastated and doesn't know how to move on. She decides to fulfill her husband's "to-do" list and then end her life. But she meets so interesting people along her quest to fulfill her husband's to-do list, people who help her to find her faith in God and to make her realize that her life is worth living after all.I love books by Lisa Samson. Her sense of humor and unique voice comes through so good. I love her flawed, yet lovable characters. I love the names Pearly, Cheeta, and Peta.The author did a really good job in showing how much pain Pearly was in when she lost her husband. It was clear that she loved her husband very much. Pearly comes up with a unique way to commit suicide. I won't go into the details as I don't want to spoil the book for you, but things are resolved beautifully at the end and Pearly decides that life is worth living and that she has so many people who love her. I loved how all the things happened at the end of the book where Pearly's life is spared at the last minute and how God really makes things happen for a reason and that He really is in controlLisa Samson has a subtle way of presenting God's truth without sounding preachy and without making you feel like she is shoving the Bible down your throat.I highly recommend this book.

Marvelous

Lisa Samson continues to amaze with her ability to surprise and move us through real, flawed yet somehow dignified and hopeful characters. This is my favorite of her books so far, and I can't wait for the next!

Fantastic Read!

What a breath of fresh air for the CBA market! I stayed up late to finish The Living End last night and it was time well spent. Quirky, yet real-life characters (reminiscent of Anne Tyler) inhabit and leave their mark on Pearl's crumbling world. And no trite or easy answers here as Pearl struggles to find meaning and purpose in a broken world.Samson's command of language is enviable - sometimes fierce, sometimes tender, but always exquisite. A great book, and if you're smart...you'll read it.Also recommended: Anything by Richard Russo, Anne Tyler, Tom Wolfe, Brad Whittington, Leif Enger