The Living End (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Samson is one of the best novelists in the inspirational market (Women's Intuition; Songbird), and she excels in her ability to portray authentic characters in this most recent foray into fiction. Pearly Laurel, 55, and her husband, Joey, have been soul mates for their 35 years of marriage. She's never shared his rock-solid faith and finds that life is unbearable when he unexpectedly dies. Determined to commit suicide by a rather improbable method, Pearly discovers Joey's last "wish list," which details seven things he wanted to do (including getting a tattoo and climbing a pyramid). She adds her own four items to his list and sets out to accomplish them all. Soon, she's involved with other people, including a young teen who needs her help. "Why in the world would God use me when I don't really know if I want all that much to do with Him?" asks Pearly. Lighter moments are provided by Pearly's neighbor Maida, who is addicted to a sexy daytime soap and provides updates on the exploits of the characters. Using first-person narrative, Samson knows how to show without telling, and although her word choices are occasionally a little over the top ("his bamboo arms"; a character named Shrubby Cinquefoil), most descriptions are delightfully fresh. The satisfaction of the novel comes not in the fulfillment of the wish list, but in Pearly's unforced journey toward faith and healing. This is a fine example of the strides being made in evangelical Christian fiction, which other CBA novelists would do well to emulate.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

?With a style and voice that?s uniquely her own, Lisa Samson has created an unforgettable heroine in Pearly. I couldn?t put the book down until I reached the end, then I was sorry it was over. This book is the living end. Don?t miss it!?
?Robin Lee Hatcher, best-selling author of Firstborn and Beyond the Shadows

?Lisa?s wit, humor, and insight never fail to amaze me. This book is no exception. Pearly is one of those quirky, lovable characters that touches your heart and changes the way you look at ?everyday? things like life and death and love.?
?Melody Carlson, author of Finding Alice and Looking for Cassandra Jane

?If you think fiction isn?t true, meet Pearly. In The Living End, Lisa Samson gifts us with raucous but oh-so-real responses to the questions that plague us all if we?re awake. Where is meaning? What is love? Who gets hurt most when we challenge authority? What is a life well-lived? Lisa?s characters stick to your ribs with names like Peta and Cheeta and Pearly Everlasting, who is everlasting and who, like Scarlett O?Hara, will live forever in my mind. Running beside Pearly as she races to finish her to-do list will leave you breathless, then inspire you with everlasting hope. Samson spins this story out with intensity and joy, compelling us to discover if Pearly will end her life before she truly finds it.?
?Jane Kirkpatrick, award-winning author of A Name of Her Own

?This story is a pilgrimage from grief to faith. Samson respects those deep processes of the soul, and her characters step into life, one day at a time.?
?Vinita Hampton Wright, author of The Winter Seeking
-- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1 edition (October 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578565979
• ISBN-13: 978-1578565979
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #627,087 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read!, November 21, 2003

By	Michael Snyder (Spring Hill, TN USA) - See all my reviews

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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book by Lisa Samson, January 15, 2004

By	lor369 (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews

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 control

Lisa 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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous, December 7, 2003

By A Customer

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!