My Perfect Funeral

by Patrick Goodwin

These Superheroes don't wear capes. Five disabled people enter a classroom and meet an Art Therapist. It sounds like the start of a joke, but in fact, it’s the start of a great friendship, one which will change their lives.My Perfect Funeral is a fantastic story of an Art Therapy student and five people with different disabilities who come together at a daycare centre in London. He helps them overcome person traumas as they all grow together and closer during classes. Joseph falls head over heels for one of his students and one of the students hides a dark secret which inadvertently brings trouble to their doorstep, and endangers all of their lives. You will laugh, cry and feel for each of the characters whilst at the same time understand that there’s no such thing as them and us.

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2019

Reviews

[Nastaran Masoomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the book, I stared at the ceiling of my room for a while and fell into the trance of the story... I loved it much more than I thought... that the author had addressed each of the characters separately and narrated their background story and It allowed me to fall in love with each and every character. I liked the sad picture of inevitable death presented by the author. I liked the sincere friendship and affection between the characters in the story.
This book made me experience deep feelings in myself and I thank the dear author who gave me a copy of it to read, I will definitely read this book again in the future.
I am eager to read other works of the dear author of this book.🤍

[Spinds❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My perfect funeral was such a beautiful book. It was such a lovely and heartwarming book and a great learning experience as well. It was beautifully written, I loved all of the characters but my favourite was truly Simon, what a beautiful and pure human being 🥹❤️ on the inside and out, his death really shocked me and it was quiet a plot twist, I genuinely didn't expect it and it really made me said, but it was also beautiful at the same time , like I'm so happy that Simon had that day as his last day, that the had that moment with Joseph where there were these beautiful words of affirmation and love exchanged between the two of them, that Simon got to reflect on how positive and important these art classes were and basically how life changing they were for him, I'm happy Simon got to experience real friendship love from his friends from art therapy class : Dave, Jayne, Beverly, Nigel and Joseph. That he was surrounded by so much love and support during his time of need when he lost his parents and that he was surrounded by so much love and happiness on his last day. I'm truly happy he was able to experience that in his short life, he was truly a force to be reckoned with and he was genuinely a hero. I felt his love and warmth and smiles and cuddles through the book, his character just felt like a hug 🥹❤️ even his funeral was Soo cute (albeit it had that scary incident in the end)

Nigel was my least favourite in the beginning but I loved his growth throughout the book and that he also got a well deserved happy ending and he genuinely changed for the better . I also think that the classes were so important for his journey with accepting what happened happened In his past and also forgiving himself for what happened and finally allowing himself start the journey of healing and forgiveness within himself so he can really start living his life and stop wallowing in shame, self pity and pain because he thought that he didn't deserve happiness because of what he'd done and that's just not true, he just had to man up and face the music and start doing the work of holding himself accountable for what he'd done and move on with his life.

Beverly is such a strong lady, she'd gone through so much and although she also found community and realy friends and family in her art therapy classmates i was so annoyed that those bozos what wanted to off her for nothing like , has this woman not gone through enough already my goodness?! ! Like I was holding my breath the whole way because I thought she might die 😭💔 like my girl has been through ENOUGH 😭✋🏾.

I also appreciated the growth Joseph did as well because as much as he was the art therapy teacher I felt like he was also a student in some instances and I love how all of them learnt from each other and how this whole thing made such a beautiful community and friendship within them, I hope they're friends forever 🥹❤️

I genuinely enjoyed this book so much, thank you to the author Patrick Ausgood Goodwin and Booktasters for this arc in exchange for an honest review 🙏🏾

[Nabila Zulkifli · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is been a while since the last time i read a book thoroughly from cover to cover. It took me few days to complete though due to its artistry knowledgable content and the suspense that my poor mind need to read slowly to digest it all.

It was so fun reading and roller coaster ride of emotions. I shed a tear and had a good laugh too. The characters are so great and compliment each other. I really want to draw them in the superheros suits one day, once i got my hand on my drawing tablet (i'm on quarantine right now).

My fav scene when they sculpture the items while closing their eyes and JJ watching them and able to read their personalities. I wish i could do the same while teaching my students.

Thank you for such a great story and i wish u the best hopefully more people will read this treasure. And thanks booktaster for helping me connect with the author. Kudos!

[Jasmine Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book had me in a reading slump after I read it. It was so incredible and I am now going to recommend this book to everyone who asks. It was well paced and incredibly written. I loved how Patrick wrote the backstories for the characters. My favourite was Bev.

Thanks to booktasters and Patrick for sending me this book!!!! Will definitely be rereading!!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review posted on my blog The Writer's Library.

When I set out to write a book review or blog piece, I usually keep personal information about myself to a minimum and try to focus exclusively on whatever I am discussing. However, in the case of this review, that is a bit of an issue, because I picked up the novel I am about to talk about because it discusses a topic I have to live with every day. While of course this review is about the book, I do feel it is important to give the context in which I picked it up.
Goodwin’s premise greatly involves individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. This is intriguing to me because I also live with a physical disability. Some of the topics he discusses in here are very familiar territory for me because of that, and I found myself really enjoying most of what is presented in this narrative.
All that said, let’s get a summary for the story.
Summary
We open to Diane Wright and her friend Rosie spending time together. When the two girls hear commotion across the street, they go out to investigate, only to anger a known gang leader called Danny Briggs. Enraged, Briggs terrorizes the girls, forcing Diane to go into hiding with a new name to protect herself.
With this new identity, Diane enrolls in an art therapy class for adults with special needs and meets the teacher, Joseph, who ends up becoming as close as family to the rest of the group. However, with Danny still a threat even after being arrested, the group finds they must contend with a known criminal while helping Diane to remain safe.
Will Joseph and the group be able to stop Danny’s group before Diane pays the price?
Thoughts
One of the biggest things for me in this novel is the clear love and care with which Goodwin crafts his characters. Joseph and his students are so well-developed that I can still clearly distinguish each character after finishing. This ended up being crucial to the plot that develops, too, and seeing all of it tie together was fantastic!
On the side of the plot, this is where I feel like there were some minor issues. It is not the plot that develops or even the characters that drive it, but rather that I feel the plot should have been more closely knit into the narrative. I will explain what I mean by that in the structure section.
In the meantime, we should discuss some of the characters.
Characters
Joseph Matthews
I really like how Joseph is written. The art therapy position gives him great lessons and friendships, and it is obvious how he grows and changes as the story goes on. I absolutely adore how he cares for everyone as a person! He wants the best for all of them. Seeing how he actively works to show them how art can have a great impact on their lives is fantastic. The classes do not even feel like classes, but rather, actual therapeutic sessions that are there to help all of them. While the students do develop individual friendships, Joseph feels like a peer, not just a teacher. He is part of the group, disability or no disability.
One relationship that develops is the one with Simon. As I said earlier, Joseph feels like more than a teacher, and his relationship with Simon is a great example of that. Joseph goes out of his way to be there for him, helping him in both educational and personal contexts. Seeing Joseph work to help Simon grow – not just in the classroom, but outside it as well – helps cement that this position is something that he grows to love.
Diane Wright
Given that Diane is one of the first characters that we see, her arc starts being built immediately. Goodwin wastes no time telling you who she is, what she is like, and how her character will impact the main story. Her character is very interesting to me. She has a tough side to her that I respect, because as the narrative goes on it is clear that she is comfortable in her own skin and with her disability.
What she is not comfortable with is people mistreating her due to her condition, even if they do not realize that they are mistreating her, which I completely understand. It made me feel for her very early on. Concerning the plot, the conflict that surrounds her makes for a gripping narrative when we are not exclusively focusing on Joseph and the other students. While I do have some issues with the execution of the plot (which I will go into in a bit), I love that Diane knows and respects the situation she is in, actively making moves to protect herself and showing that she will go down fighting.
Danny Briggs
Danny Briggs is one of the few characters in this novel that infuriated me when I first saw him. Goodwin creates this horrible person who does not care whom he steps on to get his way, and he will do anything and everything to get what he wants. Seeing how far his influence reached worried me a bit, and I wonder if the gang he is a part of could play an even bigger role down the road if a sequel were to be written.
However, there is a minor issue with Briggs that I need to mention. The problem also ties a bit into the structure of the narrative, but I want to start with his character. As frightening as he is in the beginning, he doesn’t appear nearly enough after that to shine as a character. Goodwin establishes him as a terrible person, but he is underutilized. While the people he gets to help him are threats as well, I wish he had been seen more often, since he is the one in control of it all.
Structure
The way this novel is structured is interesting. We open with the scene with Diane and Rosie, where we are also introduced to Danny Briggs. However, as I hinted in Briggs’ character section, there is an issue with the structure that ties into his character as well. As I said earlier, his story is not tied closely enough into the narrative. It is about halfway through the novel that Briggs is even brought up again, and I am honestly not a fan of that because it makes it seem like his story does not carry the weight that it should.
I think it would be interesting if we could see him every couple of chapters throughout the entire story. This way, he as a threat never goes away – he is always there, even as we learn about the students and Joseph, which in turn could help drive up the suspense and tension. Perhaps doing so could even drive up the impact of the people he employs to help him later. I remember seeing him recruit people and thinking how I just wished something like that had occurred a bit earlier in the story to keep the momentum going.
Writing
There is something about Goodwin’s writing that I like a lot. When focusing on the art therapy class, there is a genuinely warm feeling to the prose that manages to do just enough to be heartwarming without becoming sappy. Goodwin approaches these situations with care while showing how in the beginning Joseph must get his footing while learning to teach the class.
However, there is a significant shift when anything involving Briggs and his gang comes up. The prose becomes much darker and more foreboding as he plots to get what he wants. A good indication of this is a scene where he meets one of his allies and plots what to do next. His word choice during the scene and how he acts shifts the mood of the scene from originally tense to outright frightening because the word choice indicates that he is not messing around and will do anything to achieve his goals. Goodwin wastes no time telling you with scenes like this exactly what the art therapy class must contend with.
Conclusion
Taking it all together, I have to admit that I enjoyed this. While I do have some issues with it, I think the good things about it outweigh those issues. This is a heartwarming story with a fantastic message. The way Goodwin tackles the subject is spot-on in its execution and in some cases was able to move me to tears. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in special needs and likes a story that is hard to put down. In the end, Goodwin has created a heartwarming story of friendship, danger, and intrigue that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

[Luis Humberto Molinar Márquez · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Review in English + Reseña en Español]

My Perfect Funeral, by Patrick Goodwin
Independent. 2019
428 pages.

Diane has witnessed the brutal murder of one of the most important people in her life, and the killer knows it. With the criminal on the run, the police propose that the witness moves out of town under a new name while the investigation continues. There she will meet Joseph, an Art Therapy student, who has offered to work with a small group of people with disabilities. Beverly, Jayne, Dave, Nigel and Simon will teach Joseph the right way to deal with human diversity and together they will form an all-proof connection.

The premise of the book is clear: We are all, from our particular nature, complete beings, with the same ability to convert our limitations into possibilities, our weaknesses into strengths and our fears into strength. The intention of this novel is generous and purposeful; its development has logic; the characters are well characterized, they interact in a very natural and credible way and the relationships between them feel solid; while the plot has a relatively adequate balance of humor, introspection, action and dialogue.

Unfortunately, in some parts the plot becomes slow and the narrative focuses too much on details of particular experiences that contribute little, making the novel unnecessarily long. I have also found some minor grammar defects. I think that both problems could be solved satisfactorily with a re-edit and a thorough review, adding more value to a story that has a lot of potential.

The value of this novel is not a minor thing, and the human and respectful treatment of the main theme is appreciated, but I consider that, from the narrative point of view, this novel is like a precious stone that still needs an extra polishing so that its shine arrives intact to the reader.

-------------

My Perfect Funeral, por Patrick Goodwin
Independiente. 2019
428 páginas.

Diane ha atestiguado el brutal asesinato de una de las personas más importantes en su vida y el asesino lo sabe. Con el criminal en fuga, la policía propone que la testigo se mude de ciudad bajo un nuevo nombre mientras la investigación continúa su curso. Ahí conocerá a Joseph, estudiante de Terapia Artística, quien se ha ofrecido a trabajar con un pequeño grupo de estudiantes con capacidades distintas. Beverly, Jayne, Dave, Nigel y Simon enseñarán a Joseph la manera correcta de enfrentarse con la diversidad humana y juntos formarán una conexión a prueba de todo.

La premisa del libro es clara: Todos somos, desde nuestra naturaleza particular, seres completos, con la misma capacidad de convertir nuestras limitaciones en posibilidades, nuestras debilidades en fortalezas y nuestros miedos en valor. La intención de esta novela es generosa y propositiva; su desarrollo tiene lógica; los personajes están bien caracterizados, interactúan de manera muy natural y verosímil y las relaciones entre ellos se sienten sólidas; mientras que la trama tiene un equilibrio relativamente adecuado de humor, introspección, acción y diálogo.

Desafortunadamente, en algunas partes la trama se vuelve lenta y la narrativa se centra demasiado en detalles de experiencias particulares que aportan poco, haciendo que la novela sea innecesariamente larga. También he encontrado algunos defectos menores de gramática. Creo que ambos problemas podrían resolverse satisfactoriamente con una reedición y una revisión exhaustiva, aportando mayor valor a una historia que tiene bastante potencial.

El valor de esta novela no es cosa menor, y el tratamiento humano y respetuoso del tema principal se agradece, pero considero que, desde el punto de vista narrativo, esta novela es como una piedra preciosa que aún necesita un pulido extra para que su brillo llegue intacto al lector.

[Blackrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright, listen up, imagine a mix of gritty reality, raw emotions, and a murder-mystery-style introspection that grips you by the throat and refuses to let go.

First things first, this book does not hold back. It throws you straight into the emotional wreckage of Diane, a young woman whose life is flipped upside down after a traumatic event that had me clutching my metaphorical pearls (and real-life blanket). The opening scene alone? Chef’s kiss! Tense, visceral, and emotionally charged. Diane’s struggles with her disability, identity, and grief are depicted with such nuance that you feel every ounce of her pain and frustration. No sugar-coating, no melodrama,.. just pure, gut-wrenching storytelling.

And let’s talk about character dynamics! Diane and Rosie’s relationship? Equal parts wholesome and heartbreaking. The way their love unfolds, only to be met with tragedy, is the kind of emotional rollercoaster I did not sign up for, but here we are. Goodwin nails the complexity of human emotions; love, fear, guilt, especially in how Diane processes her trauma. It’s so raw and unfiltered, you’ll want to wrap her in a blanket and tell her everything will be okay (even when you know it won’t be).

The writing style is immersive, pulling you right into the streets of Manchester and later, London. The atmosphere is bleak, yet strangely hopeful, like a city skyline after a thunderstorm. And the side characters? Absolute gems. Simon, Dave, and Jayne add warmth and authenticity, each bringing their own battles to the table. The found-family element is done so well; a subtle reminder that healing doesn’t always come from solitude, but from the people who stick around when everything falls apart.

the thriller aspect. The way the suspense builds? Tense AF. There are moments where you think you know what’s coming, and then—BAM!—Goodwin throws a curveball that makes you rethink everything. The pacing is solid; it doesn’t drag, but also doesn’t rush through the heavy moments, which is key in a story dealing with trauma and survival.

If I had to nitpick (because no book is perfect, despite the title), I’d say the transitions between Diane’s past and present could be a bit smoother. Sometimes it felt a little jarring, like jumping between two different movies mid-scene. But honestly? That’s me being picky. The story itself is strong, and the emotional weight it carries? Unmatched.

Final verdict: If you want a book that hurts in the best way possible; one that makes you cry, think, and maybe even scream into a pillow, this is it! My Perfect Funeral is a gripping, emotional read that doesn’t just tell a story; it lives in your mind rent-free long after you’ve turned the last page. Buckle up, grab some tissues, and get ready to feel everything.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars. Would recommend to anyone who loves deep, character-driven narratives with a side of suspense and all the feels.

[Jude Kimpton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever hear a song, read a book or watch a movie and you think, “What I would give to watch/read/listen to this again for the first time?” That is the first thought I had after finishing My Perfect Funeral.

When I read the summary, I knew I was going to like it. What I didn’t know was that this story would take me on a whirlwind of a journey. The author, a kind soul whom I had the pleasure of talking to, did an amazing job of creating six amazing, well-rounded and meticulously thought-out characters. I can just feel that a certain kind of love and passion went into the craft. The characters are not perfect, far from it. They have their flaws, they each have their struggles, they all had depth. The fact that they were all so very human and so very relatable really enables the reader to relate to them, perhaps even to identify with them.

The story was exciting, thrilling and gripping from the first page to the very last. The story is written in a humorous and witty way and it really gives an insight into the lives of people with a disability without perpetuating the “poor, unfortunate disabled people” narrative. You can tell that a lot of research went into it. Beverly, Dave, Jayne, Simon, Nigel and Joseph all managed to quickly weasel their ways into my heart and the love and friendship that grows throughout the story makes you feel almost... Disappointed that you’re not there with them to crack jokes and exchange banter. I’ve spent a very long time in therapy, art therapy too. I guarantee that, had I had a teacher like Joseph, I would have never dropped it.

Without giving too much away, this story will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you shout in frustration and it will have you on the edge of your seat and to be fair, what more could you ask for? I reckon (read: I hope) we’ll see a lot more from Goodwin because in my honest opinion, he deserves to get so much more recognition. I’m going to recommend this book to everyone who will listen!

[Debs O Osin · Rating 4 out of 5]

So.....
This was an interesting read.
Firstly, I'd like to point out how it was somewhat comfy for me. 😹 I know what's the story is about, and this might sound weird. But, there were a lot of details here. The author made sure that each character had a depth in personality, which might be a bit overwhelming for some people. But overall, it was good to read. I felt connected to each character which is a good thing. Then there were mention of football clubs in London. Often, Chelsea was called the best club in London. I follow the author on Twitter so I liked to see how he fitted his personal preference into the book. Plus, as someone who constantly keeps up with the Premier League I felt seen. Like “ouu, here's something I know about.”
On the other hand, as a gooner, I beg to differ. Arsenal is the best. Lol. 😌😂
That aside, the entire plot was interesting. Why? Because I didn't see it coming.
Don't get me wrong, there wasn't an unexpected twist. But, I had no idea where the book was going. So I was kept in the dark for most of time. The first chapters don't give anything away. I was waiting for when all the events will take place and where the author was headed. I eventually found out.
If I was to change anything, it will be that I wish Simon was a main character. Why? The title of the book was linked to him.
So it was sort of weird that a side character had that much limelight at the end.
Also, kudos to the author for this book. He paid attention to disabilities and that's honorable. I have learnt quite a lot from this. So, Thank you.
Yes, I absolutely recommend.
Ps: I got a copy of this book in exchange for a review. But my review remains unbiased.

[Jennice Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel follows the story of an art therapist and his 5 disabled students. Mind it when I say disabled? Because after reading this book, that word just got completely erased from my mind. The way the author has described each character is just super amazing! There is Bev who doesn't have any arms, Jayne who is deaf, Dave who is blind, Nigel who lost his leg and finally Simon who is very immature and has a brain of a child. The story starts with Bev and her friend. Bev's friend was killed by her step-fathwr in front of her own eyes and she was traumatized by this event. Then, the step father discovers that Bev had witnessed it all so her tries to kill Bev. But Bev's life changes as she moves on to another city with another name to start her last few afresh.
I personally loved the story and the way the author has described each character. Not to forget the metaphors of life and mnay other amazing features!
What I absolutely loved was the lasting impression the author left on me. Seriously after reading this book I look at certain things with a complete different view. It's just that the author brought about a very positive change inside me. And who doesn't love that?!

But at the end I would just say that I actually lost interest at the very end. The story was just so sos so good but I think at the end it became a borin. Nevertheless it just not might be my genre. But over all I liked the book and would love to read something like this in future.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
(screaming at the top of my lungs as i write this because omg this book had me on a strong hold and it took me some time to compose myself after i finished reading it)

I don't even know where to start with this book. Thanks to Booktasters who connected me with the author Patrick Goodwin and I got to read this excellent master piece (chef's kiss).

This book follows the lives of Bev (Diane), Jayne, Simon, Nigel and Dave who have different disabilities. They are all connected through an art therapy program headed by Joseph and together they form one powerful friend group (I so wish I had such close knit friends like them).

I found the book to be well paced and I loved how the author partitioned the some sections to talk about each character separately narrating the backstories of each character. I found all the 6 main characters quite lovable (if it was possible i'd love to meet them all especially Bev).

Reading this book evoked quite a number of emotions. The death of Simon was heartbreaking (although he died a hero), the death of Rosie too. Despite all that the friends went through (not forgetting the harrowing experience that Bev and Jayne were subjected to) I was quite exhilarated seeing that they all got love and the happy ending that they all deserved.

Once again I am extremely appreciative of Patrick Goodwin for allowing me to read this lovely book. I can't wait to see more of his work.

[Enigma Squeaks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked from the beginning, there was crime, there was murder, thrills, sexual exploration, friendship, suspense... it had everything and it wasn't forced. Little did I know that the opener was going to be the gateway to meeting a bunch of characters, that come together to form one of the best friendships circles anyone could ask for.

Tackling the perception of disabilities both invisible and visible is something that everyone can do. For everything that we believe to be true, guaranteed, someone living their truth will show you why it's not necessarily in that way.
The author has written a great story with the foundation of friendship, highlighting that we all have strengths and if we combine our skills we are amazing super heroes (with or without the cape). In truth, I saw the characters, not their disabilities and I think that's what the book was all about in the end.
In parts, a few chapters felt laborious, given to the attention to detail I felt as though I too was in class, but that could be on account of me not enjoying the intricacies of art. The use of of Joseph to probe was clever and I can't help but think that Goodwin would write a really good crime thriller as he nailed the suspense and atmosphere.

Overall, a very enjoyable read so I give it a solid 3.8/5 stars (0.2 were deducted as on occasions the detail lost my attention.)

Enjoy

[Lee Dube · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

This book just gave me a whole new perspective about life. This is an incredible story about 5 disabled students all with different disabilities and different stories that got them to where they are now. Their disabilities range from being deaf, blind, down syndrome and a wheelchair user. The 5 key characters are Jayne, Dave, Nigel, "Bev" and Simon. First chapter caught my attention, Bev falls in love with Diane and on their first night as a couple they witness a crime which leads to the death of Rosie. This is where the whole drama starts and Bev is moved to a different place where she meets the other 4 and they become friends. The author did a good job in introducing all 5 characters without bringing any confusion. Another key character is the Art therapy teacher Joseph, with his kindness and wisdom about Arts he is able to bring all the five students together. The tittle of the book is so befitting because Simon's funeral is the perfect one, he lived a happy life and he died a peaceful death. You don't get to feel the sombre atmosphere because of he died a happy man. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to see life differently, who wants to learn more about disabilities. The statement disability is not inability is true.
"Art isn't about patience, it's about self expression and developing your own unique style"

[Lanny Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

My Perfect Funeral, by Patrick Goodwin, is a story exploring the realities of people with disabilities and how non-handicapped people perceive them. At 489 pages, the book scrutinizes the premise with an explanation. The author gives the scenes throughout the story too much action, explaining in great detail what is happening, making the story seem bloated and contrived.

Joseph, a twenty-five-year-old art student therapist, leads his first class of five handicapped students while learning more about their disabilities himself as the story progresses. Several days into teaching the students, Joseph has the five of them blindfolded and they perform an exercise with objects he has brought from home that gives their unique disability meaning. He offers his opinion and his observations seem credible.

The love interest Joseph develops with one of his students is not appropriate for the circumstance. Joseph’s actions and thoughts in his profession would not be suitable for most readers who see a teacher/student relationship as a learning experience.

Revisions, with a focus on grammar and spelling, would make this an unforgettable story. In its present state of completion, I would not recommend this book to friends and family or young readers.

[Isha · Rating 2 out of 5]

First - the cover. When I saw it for the first time, I really couldn't distinguish where the author's name was written and the title was also a little unclear to me. And that really puts me off books. Personally, I like books that have a clear concise cover with some aesthetic elements.

Secondly - the summary. It hooked me really well. I was just so excited to get into the book. It is really well written. It pulled me in completely.

For some reason, I could not finish the book. Hence my low rating.
The characters were beautifully described. Their disabilities seemed like a really minor part of them, their personalities shined so much! But the thing is, my need to learn what happened to them in the story, was not enough. I couldn't read the descriptions and the (for me) unnecessary fluffing given to the story.
It could've been much shorter with the same, dare I say much more, charm.

The style of writing just didn't hook me in enough for me to finish the story.

Overall, I think Patrick, you did a really good job on the summary, but not other things. I might've bought the book in a bookstore (because I'm one of the readers who buys books based on summaries) but it would've sat on my shelf and I couldn't have finished it.

[Rakia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books are all about keeping the readers hooked on the story. The name "My Perfect Funeral" takes the reader's attention. The start is so interesting and it made me drawn in the story instantly.
The dark jokes in the book are to die for.
The one line " I have enough love in my heart to share for the whole world, but not everyone in the whole world deserves it" made me really think a lot.
Since I have a disorder and a medical condition, I have always had the feeling that everyone is looking at me and I am a center of unnecessary attention. My feelings and how I hated myself in the start is shown perfectly in this book. I resonated with each and every character and some lines even made me tear-up. The characters are not shown in depth but whole as a group and how when you're with people who support you, you heal better and you feel better. "My Perfect Funeral" is the type of book I would read when I am feeling down to remind myself that I don't have to stop trying. I just have to get by and surely I have people who support me too.
I really enjoyed this book and read it slowly, taking my time, gulping the book all in me.
Its an easy read and totally recommended. The chapters are short and easily readable. There are so many lines where you just close the book and think about it.

[Cleo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, I would like to thank Booktasters and the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for a review.
This book tells of a story about 5 disabled people - Simon, Bev, Dave, Nigel and Jayne. They all meet at an art therapy class taught by an art therapy student, Joseph. There, we learn about each of them and how they got to where they are. Thus, we see how this class changes all of their lives.
From this book, I learned that even if one has a disability, we must always treat them the same as any other person for they are still human. My favourite character was Simon. I had loved reading about him. He was such a good person. And what a way to go!
The only thing I did not like was the romance between Joseph and Jayne. I mean, he was her teacher. But besides that, I thought that this was a wonderful story where you get to learn new things and look at disability in a new perspective - that it doesn't make you any less human.

[Nisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. The story is completely wonderful. I love how the author put each character with different interesting stories. It makes me feel like I'm in their shoes and want to understand them more. And I would say Simon is my favourite character! I just think he's so sincere and easy to be friends with. Sometimes i feel like i wanna protect him too. I've cried, laughed and pondered through my reading journey. It kinda broke me when they, especially Dave and Bev opened up about how they were treated with people. It opened my eyes about how aware our society of disabled people. Interesting thing is, I knew and learned sign language when i was 8 out of curiosity and it is one of the things I'm most proud of now. Other than that, I also enjoyed the art learnings very much eventhough I took quite some time to process those stuff. Recommended 100%.

[Inamorato Ciardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so it took me a while to finish this book due to life, but gotta say a very interesting read. As someone who lives with disabilities myself, some of the parts in the book were very triggering, but I figured a book that was called “My Perfect Funeral” wouldn’t be a rainbow read lol. I
Think the n word was also said a few times so if you aren’t into reading books like that, I’d say skip it. “Spiteful for being too nice” was one of my favorite lines of the book.. I’ve dealt with that so many times it’s not even funny lol. I think Edward might have been one of my my favorite if not favorite character. He reminds me of myself in a way because he really doesn’t take any crap, but also cares tremendously for his family. All in all, this book is intriguing, some parts made me chuckle with the dark humor, & it’s a good read to have in your arsenal.

[angel ೃ༄ · Rating 3 out of 5]

thanks to booktasters for providing me a free ebook in exchange for my honest review!

SPOILER FREE!

an interesting story, i really enjoyed it and the the characters. the only thing that took me out a little bit was that the dialougue felt a bit unnatural at times, but that's the only problem i had.
i really appreciate seeing a wide variety of disabled characters, and i felt it was handled well without the disabled characters being paraded around like circus attractions.

there are delicate topics that i sometimes felt were a little.. iffy. there's a scene in the first chapter that i felt could've been handled better, it was just a tad uncomfortable and distasteful, but i see no ill intent behind it. it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book.

i would recommend this for anyone looking for a quick, engaging read.

[Chandni Majumdar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts with Joseph an art therapy student starting an art therapy coaching class and meeting his five students ,Simon, Jeyne, Bev, Dave and Nigel. Each of them have one physical disability.
Joseph like all other normal people starts treating them differently. That's when he gets his shock. Because when he interacts with them he finds out how normal they are.
This is what the writer has tried to show everyone through this novel. Just because one has certain disability, it doesn't make him half of a human. We all have the same soul . Sometimes they may be better. Like Simon, who doesn't have a single evil bone in his body.
All five of them are inspiration for us.
Quite a unique story.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Perfect Funeral by Patrick Goodwin presents a meaningful storyline binding the lives of five students and their art therapist together. While at times it can be drawn out, which might hinder interest in reading, I think that this is necessary in order to capture the importance of these characters, their relationships, and how they move forward in their lives despite the difficult circumstances that they are faced with. I could personally relate to such circumstances, and found that this enhanced my appreciation for the novel. This is why I would recommend My Perfect Funeral to those looking for ways to move forward in their own lives past certain difficulties, as Goodwin is able to capture this experience quite well.

[Seiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Perfect Funeral tells the story, a fateful story of five very special people, Beverly (Diane), Jayne, Dave, Nigel and Simon meeting, Joseph, an Art Therapist who taught them despite their disabilities, there is nothing impossible for them to achieve in their lives. It began with a dark and traumatic start but with a satisfying slightly sad ending. Romance grew between a student and a teacher, trouble brewed when one of the students’ dark past finally found one of them, inadvertently posed danger to them. In spite it all, Joseph helped each student to overcome their traumas and also taught him alot as a person. It is quite a lengthy read but well worth the time. As for me, it truly opened my mind more about the beauty of art.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel starts with Di and her friend were spending quality times. Suddenly everything changes when they witness a murder and as a result Di's friend is brutally murdered. To save her life, Di has to change her identity and has to move to other place.

Now the novel progresses with five differently abled persons and their endeavour to cope with life.

I loved how the author has drawn every character. The minute details, the metaphors of life are amazing. And the character of Joseph is also very sharp. After many days I have read a novel which made me laugh as well as made me cry.

Thank you author for such an amazing book.

[gizelle ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title had me hooked from the start. I was curious about how the story would play out and it was such a bittersweet experience. The writing was good although it was a bit lengthy. I was able to see through the lense of how people with disabilities live their daily lives. This was interesting and informative, and helped me widen my perspective. This is a story that deals with people coming from all walks of life, each with a story to tell, and all are experiencing traumatic experiences. This book tells of new beginnings, and how to come to face to face with your greatest fears. I like how Simon dealt with grief as it was such a good character development.

[jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Perfect Funeral is a well-written book filled with different perceptions of life. This book is a great eye-opener for everyone who wants to understand that life has its ups and downs and your struggles and joys are not inclusive and you can share them with people who will gladly share theirs with you as well.

I liked how the book was structured because a single chapter never gets boring. The writing style is also relatively easy to read and follow and fits the theme of the book. Overall, this book is a great representation of people with disabilities and the way they live their lives in this world.

[umi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book based on its synopsis, and after reading it, I’m glad the story is just as refreshing. The book focuses on the reality of disabled people, how they look on and react to it. I had a few ups and downs trying to finish it in one sitting, some parts are a bit wordy. My favorite part about this book is the excellent characters. I really enjoy the qualities of each of them, especially Simon, they are very well described. Overall, it is a powerful story, definitely make you ponder and look at things differently.

[Kathy Ulemu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one of the best books I've read in 2021, it has it all, suspense, romance, grief, and laughter. I felt like I was watching a movie and I couldn't get enough of it. I grew with the characters. The twists and the mastery and knowledge of the author on the characters' disabilities got me interested on researching more on them.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure and to people like me who like books where each character's life is has a chapter of its own.

[Jim Wool · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not to sure how to describe this book. I was slightly hesitant towards the beginning because I thought the scene/ perspective switches were a little clunky but glad I kept with it. Some parts definitely felt a little info dumpy especially towards the beginning. The characters were good and the dynamic between them were very interesting. I was hooked and kept reading.

Will probably give this a reread in the future

*DISCLAIMER: I was given this book threw Booktasters in exchange for an honest review*

[Yolisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph is a 25 year old art therapy student,who is young at heart,but wise for his age.He teaches more than art in his class.His students are physically challenged one way or the other.At first he is at a loss for words on how to treat them ,but he quickly learns.
The story touches on a lot on how we see people who are different from us,but the author's explanation of some scenes can be protracted.
Over all its a wonderful story.