Shaking Hands With Elvis by Paul Carroll
An uncaring government has legalised assisted dying, but it’s not only the terminally ill they loosen the rules for.
Anybody considered to have nothing to contribute, a drain on resources, or simply past it, is encouraged to do the decent thing and opt for an early check out.
#ShakingHandsWithElvis @paulcarrollink #RandomThingsTours @annecater @RandomTTours #blogtour #funnybook #assisteddying
Entrepreneur Callan Clay is quick to fill the market gap through Go Gently, his business offering inventive ways, including an Elvis Presley themed demise, for customers to lawfully shuffle off their mortal coils. Assisted dying is the latest must-have lifestyle choice.
But when Geraldine, Dawn, Jeffrey and Woody, each having a different reason for giving up the ghost, book appointments for their final journeys, they discover not everything at Go Gently’s state- of-the-art Charon House clinic lives up to the brochure. As the clock ticks down to their appointed hour, is it really the end of the line for the gang of four, or is there life in the old dogs yet?
My Review
I’m so stunned by this that I don’t really know where to begin. I’ve never been sure about assisted dying, but then I listen to someone like Dame Esther Rantzen talking about joining Dignitas. “The 83-year-old, who has stage four lung cancer, is campaigning for people who have physical illnesses, and a life expectancy of six months or less, to have the right to choose when they die.
“Assisted dying is illegal in England, Northern Ireland and Wales – and anyone who travels abroad with a person who ends their life could be prosecuted when they return.” – Sky News
Fair enough. It’s very sad, but I get it. Dame Esther Rantzen was a huge influence on my early life and I shall hate to see her go. However, in Shaking Hands With Elvis, we have gone way beyond that. The NHS has been disbanded (let’s hope that’s not going to happen any time soon or ever) and ‘assisted dying’ looks like a good option for anyone who is past their sell by date. But now we have the age-old questions – are they being pushed before they can jump? Does money/inheritance come into it? And is it a way to bring the population down (good for the environment is a selling point), by culling those who don’t want to be here anyway?
Put like that – the last part only – it sounds like a good idea. But it is so open to abuse, that I refer to my initial comment about being on the fence. Because in the words of Hotel California, “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.” Once you’ve bought your ticket, it’s a one-way trip, Hit The Road Jack, Goodnight Irene, and other cliched songs.
But back to the book. It revolves around our intrepid gang of four. Geraldine is lonely, Dawn is in constant pain, Jeffery has dementia, and Woody is on a totally different path. But Callan Clay doesn’t care. He’s an entrepreneur and he just sees a business opportunity and a way to make more money. And vile secretary of state for ‘wellbeing’ (ha!) Lawrence Pestel is looking for a fast track route to Number 10. And between them, they dress it up as being given a choice blah blah.
I’m not sure how many times I gasped at some of the things that happened, or were suggested by Clay and Pestel. It’s dark humour at its best. Yes it is really funny even though it shouldn’t be.
There are so many ethical questions, which only get worse as the story progresses. And I was devastated by the ending, but I can’t say anymore. Anyone who is unsure about assisted dying should read this, though it probably won’t help you make up your mind!
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
About the Author
Writing that puts the ‘stab’ into establishment.
Paul’s novels consistently let fly at the latest social trends in an entertaining mix of cutting observation, human drama, dark humour and compassion. Before turning to writing Paul worked in the field of PR for many years, including campaigns for well-known brands such as Boddingtons, Heineken, Thorntons Chocolate, Chicago Town Pizza, Big D peanuts, Co-op Funerals and Manchester Airport.
Selling things to people they didn’t realise they needed is at the heart of many of Paul’s books, often with unanticipated consequences for the latest get-rich-quick merchant eager to turn a quick buck at somebody else’s expense.
Born and brought up in Leeds, Paul has a degree in English Language and English Literature from the University of Manchester. Paul lives in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.
A marketing gamekeeper-turned-poacher, Paul is to be found peering behind the curtains of ‘the next big thing’ when he’s not writing.
Shaking Hands with Elvis (2024) is Paul Carroll’s fifth novel, following Don’t Ask (2021), Trouble Brewing (2017), Written Off (2016) and A Matter of Life.
