On Love and Death and Belonging

by Daphne Leonie Wright

On Love and Death and Belonging is a fresh, light-hearted, yet profound look at the intersection of the lives of three later-middle-aged people—a group often othered in today’s society and not always included in the lexicon of contemporary novels except as bit players. Fiona, a burned-out nurse, still needing a pay cheque, counting the days to retirement. Brice, a gay man coming to terms with a diagnosis of ALS and the need for care. Adelina, marginalized and living with domestic abuse, her belief in God guides her. The impacts of aging, loneliness, isolation, invisibility, and illness leading to medical assistance in dying unite these three characters as they search for belonging. On Love and Death and Belonging gives voice to the realization that life, by its very design, doesn’t always get easier. Sometimes, it’s just plain hard.

Daphne Leonie Wright is a proud Canadian and decades-long Vancouverite who appreciates the spoils of the city where she lives with her husband John. Daphne enjoys leisurely walks, bike rides, swims, and the occasional flat hike. Most often, John can be found up ahead—waiting. As a nurse, Daphne has long been interested in what makes us do the things we do. This interest led her to complete an MA in Liberal Studies. On Love and Death and Belonging is Daphne’s first book.

243 pages, Paperback

Published December 25, 2022

Reviews

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written book. Daphne’s writing makes you connect so deeply with each character. A fantastic read :)

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully and tenderly written.

Main characters Fiona, Brice and Adelina are lovely, “ordinary” (yet in their own way, “extra-ordinary”), work-a-day people who meet up and befriend each other at a retirement home. They generate feelings of compassion, humility, respect, surrender, and perseverance. Upon finishing the book, I felt compelled to listen to Paul Simon’s American Tune in their honour.

I really like how the author describes and enters us into a sense of marginalized place and time – the last of the three buildings at Waterview Retirement Village during the night shift.

The book touches on many relatable and relevant topics such as: job loss, job change, financial concerns, aging, illness, loneliness, grieving the loss of a partner, adapting to retirement home/assisted living, intimate partner abuse, homophobia, the initial red flags of substance abuse, and M.A.I.D. Can imagine it being a very good choice for book club sharing!

Thank you so much for the writing and sharing of this book Daphne. I look forward to experiencing any future writings you may do!

Mary

[Karen Barrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful book that tackles topics most of us are ill-prepared to. Wright's sensitivity in crafting her characters, including the intimate details of their lives, whether it be the mundainity or the emotional, adds a powerful punch. Like peeling away the layers of an onion, Wright has crafted a story about real people, with real problems, the emotion building and overflowing like the burning tears released by the pungent fumes of a chopped onion. This is perhaps one of the most 'real' books I've ever read. No escapism here. Instead, this novel invites you into the lives of three very different people, each facing different demons, but whose lives intersect in a heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting way. The subtle thread of humour woven throughout the novel lightens what could have been a heavy read.

[Susan Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A microcosm is created in this novel, when 3 strangers worlds converge. Fiona, Brice and Adelina meet at a retirement village at what first appears to be the falling down of so many of life's dominoes.The novel grapples with the timely issues of burnout, job loss, lack of medical staff and MAID.

The three main characters find the capacity to move out from their internal worries to embrace each other, and in doing so, find love, belonging and community.

This novel is a welcome addition to my library and I look forward to reading more books from this author. Once you have picked up the book and read it too, I believe that you will come away with the same sentiment. As the book demonstrates, one may find pink roses and rainbow balloons if we choose to look for them.

[Brenda Laface · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely for a number of reasons. To my mind it totally captured the zeitgeist of contemporary urban culture and it was done with tremendous wit in a down-to-earth style. The characters were well developed, not too much detail to be brash but enough to fully expand the flavour of lives trapped in inhumane bureaucracies (social, economic and emotional) of indifference. It truly speaks of our day (sadly). I could identify with the struggles of all three characters. And lastly, it was on a topic I had not really explored for myself yet. So many implications; social, ethical, religious, moral and so personal . . . so very personal!! None of us, after all, are getting out of here alive.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant, touching, sad, funny, a relatable current day story with large and small moments of kindness and joy.

Loved the characters, felt as though I had met them some time ago and we were all just coming up to speed on where we were in life. I wanted to know more about Fiona, Adelina and Brice, they were so real, their stories held me captive.

Daphne tackled the huge and timely topic of MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying-Canada) deftly and with sensitivity. She is a gifted story teller, as this is her first novel, I can’t wait to hear more from her.

[RD Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully understated novel that I connected with on so many levels - as a Vancouver transit user, a former health care worker, and someone who witnessed the painfully slow demise of both patients and friends over the years. Daphne's characters don't wallow, though - Adelina, Brice and Fiona are all fighters, and I found myself rooting for them right to the last page. This is such an informative and inspiring book.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

On Love and Death an Belonging is the story of 3 seemingly random world-weary people whose lives intersect. It deals with burnout, domestic abuse, faith, advancing illness, palliative care, and MAID (medical assistance in dying) with empathy and wit. The writing is clear, vivid and descriptive. Looking forward to more books from this first time author!

[Alan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well crafted, with imaginative descriptives and witty asides. Dealing with the not always kind twists and turns in life. The realities of today's economic models, personal struggles, and the challenges of getting older, and in particular, one character facing a serious illness, three strangers are brought together as if by fate. A sense of humanity and hope shines through though.

[Annemarie Kaan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet story of three people whose lives intersect. Each with their own regrets and sadness but also great strength. A truly timely story that touches on so many of todays issues. Very well done for a first book without the support of big publishers. Congratulations!

[Jacqueline Muir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet story from a local Vancouver author. It touches on many current issues including MAID, inclusivity, LGBTQ challenges, aging and death with 3 vastly different characters that come together in a time of need for each of them.

[Monnalisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the characters and the way the story evolves. Loved how the writing flows in a smooth way. Touching.