The grim epigraph to this slight but charming novel quotes from the UK’s Public Health (Control of Disease) Act, stating that it is the local authority’s responsibility to bury or cremate any person who has been found dead without any “suitable arrangements.”Įnter Andrew, the quirky protagonist of Richard Roper’s debut novel "How Not to Die Alone" (Putnam, 324 pp., ★★★ out of four), who works in Death Administration at a local council in London. Andrew’s unfortunate job, once the police have been through, is to sort through the belongings of the recently deceased to find a relative, friend or someone responsible. (Also, to sleuth out any money that can be used for the funeral.) While a loner himself, Andrew goes above the call of duty by personally attending these funerals.
0 kommentar(er)
