What do you pack for the rest of your life? The explosive new novel from the Orange Prize-winning author of We Need to Talk About Kevin.  Enlivened by Shriver's signature acerbity and political outrage, it's surely the funniest and most entertaining novel about illness and death one's ever likely to read.

Comparison: Anita Shreve, Jodi Picoult, Simon Lelic
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Synopsis

Shepherd Knacker has been saving all his working life for a one way ticket away from the daily grind. When he sells his handyman business for $1million, 'The Afterlife' seems tantalisingly within reach. Yet his wife has concocted one reason after another why now isn't the time to go. Determined to take the plunge, Shep announces that he is leaving for an island off the coast of Tanzania: with or without her. However, Glynis has an announcement of her own -- she needs his health insurance. Illustrating how a marriage is both stressed and strengthened by medical crisis, So Much for That puts the uncomfortable fiscal question: how much is one life worth?

Reviews

'Wide-ranging, sometimes zany and unpredictable, this is a compelling read. And however many twists Shriver shoves in, you always believe her.' The Times

'Many people will like Lionel Shriver's ninth novel -- admirers of gripping and clever contemporary fiction, discerning critics and, if there is any justice, literary prize committees.' Guardian

'Shriver proves she is not afraid of anything! Observer It's a wonder that subject matter on the surface so bleak can be transformed into something so uplifting.' Daily Telegraph

'Yes, a brilliantly funny cancer book! You can rely on Lionel Shriver to upend your expectations.' Daily Express

'Required reading for all mortals.' Daily Mail

About the Author

Lionel Shriver is a novelist whose previous books include Orange Prize–winner We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Post-Birthday World, A Perfectly Good Family, Game Control, Double Fault, The Female of the Species, Checker and the Derailleurs, and Ordinary Decent Criminals. She is widely published as a journalist, writing features, columns, op-eds, and book reviews for the Guardian, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, the Economist, Marie Claire, and many other publications. She is frequently interviewed on television, radio, and in print media. She lives in London and Brooklyn, NY. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation