Death and Other Happy Endings

Cantor’s accomplished debut tracks one woman’s reaction to a fatal prognosis. Jennifer Cole, 43, has been told by her doctor that she has an “osis”—Jennifer won’t speak the full name of the disease, but it’s a blood disorder that will take her life in three months. At her best friend Olivia’s suggestion, Jennifer contacts three people who have become detached from her life: her snarky sister, Isabelle; her philandering ex-husband, Andy; and her (also philandering) ex-boyfriend, Harry. Stepping far outside her comfort zone of passivity, Jennifer writes each of them a letter telling them of her prognosis and laying her hurt feelings bare, and she’s surprised by the amount of time that passes before any of them respond. She finally hears from Isabelle, and the sisters find a closeness they never knew would be possible. Harry does call, bringing the possibility of reignited love, and when Andy finally comes around, Jennifer learns just how relieved she is that he’s her ex. Twists push the story in intriguing directions, and the clever, personable voice of Jennifer is like that of a witty friend with a bad news/good news story to tell, resulting in a moving novel with a surprisingly playful edge. [em](July) [/em]