REVIEW: “The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip” by Sara Brunsvold

About the book…

*Title: The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

*Author: Sara Brunsvold

*Genre: Christian, Contemporary, Dual time-period

*Series: No, a standalone novel.

*Recommend for: Ages 15 & up

My Personal Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖Synopsis

A throwaway assignment is about to change two lives forever

Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she's been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who's just entered hospice care.
But there's more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she's not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it's a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that's just what Mrs. Kip will give her--but she's going to have to work for it.

💭My Thoughts 

What a moving story.

It almost sounds wrong to say that I enjoyed this book per se. For personal reasons, it was a little difficult to read at times, and was definitely a sadder story, but at the same time there were so many sweet, powerful, and faith-filled parts.

I loved a lot of aspects of Mrs. Kip’s character. Her spunkiness, her humor, her energy, her passion for the Lord and winning souls, and just the fact that even when nearing the end of her life, she never gave up on life. What kept her going was her belief that as long as God kept her in this world, she had a purpose. And as was demonstrated in this beautiful story, she certainly did. She poured her last days into the young, confused Kansas City Star reporter Aidyn, and it changed both their lives forever.

This book had no romance, for which I’m so glad. Don’t get me wrong, I can enjoy sweet, wholesome, non-physical romances in books, but this one simply did not need it. It was all about the characters’ faith in God, living well, but also dying well. It was truly such an inspiring read.

Now, personally, I hardly ever read contemporary books. They’re just not my cup of tea. This book was mainly set in 2016, but there were flashbacks to the 1950s throughout the book. That being said, I did personally find the contemporary elements a little grating…all the texting, modern language, mentions of current businesses, music, etc. Of course, that would not bother some people in the least, but I just mention it because of my own taste.

As well, there were a couple times that I didn’t care for reading the description of some of the hospice care Mrs. Kip received, and just some little things here and there dropped the rating to a 4 star. But overall? A very touching, impactful read. Beautiful story, great main characters, and so rich in faith content. I’m very glad I decided to pick this one up.

⚠️Broad content notes

Death is a topic often discussed- many mentions of death, death nearing, being in hospice, pain, illness, cancer, etc.; some details come with Mrs. Kip being in hospice, needing help with her day to day life, taking morphine, collapsing; some details of seeing someone die, cleaning them, etc.; baby dies on page (semi-detailed); “Freaking”, “for the love of all”, and “godforsaken” said; grief & doubting God; mentions of drinking, wars, Communists, families being separated.

❤️ Favorite Quotes

“You know something, Henderson? I have never seen the vast smallness of American minds until I’ve attempted to get them to wrap around the concept of hospitality toward outsiders.”

“That may not sound extraordinary to some people, Miss Kelley, but we should never underestimate the life-changing gift of friendship.”

“Authentic love is the greatest joy there is, Miss Kelley, but it requires a thousand little deaths to self.”

“That was the core of the life she had chosen. The sower’s job was to sow, trusting her success would be measured by how few seeds remained in her hand.”

Regarding that magical process of beginning to write something:

“She sat amid the pieces, absorbing the energy they exuded, the sense of anticipation they inspired. She could feel the words waiting just beyond her reach, waiting for her to form them into something clear, bright, and good.”

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Bookishly yours, 

Lottie M.