I made myself finish this. It was translated from French to English. As with many translations, I imagine the book is better in the original language. That being said, this book is like an episode of the Twilight Zone. From the start, I was dismayed and praying that the whole book wouldn't be some dream that Jeremy's mind created to make sense of his choice to die. Sadly, the whole book is what I feared. On only a few random birthdays throughout his life, Jeremy awakens and has that one day as his best, ideal self. He is tormented to uncover the choices his prominent self continues to make to the detriment of his wife and children. It's presented as a split personality of sorts. Jekyll versus Hyde, but I knew better. The letters he found were interestingly convenient considering the prevalence of electronic communication this century. This book is seeping with the drama that the French have perfected. They love it. I imagine that is why this book won a French award. I can think of several French films surrounding obsessive and all-consuming love that ended in suicide, but this book was too much for me. Jeremy professed his undying love to Victoria and when he was refused he wished for and attempted death. In this novel, it appears he was saved and his love, Victoria, changed her mind and decided to be with him. Unfortunately, his life was not what he thought it would be. He got the girl, but even her love and his children couldn't stop him from turning his and their lives upside down through a series of thoughtless actions. If you like books which ponder life's purpose and seek to understand the suicidal psyche, then you will certainly find this dream enlightening rather than nauseatingly preachy catharsis. This book is awful. First of all, the protagonist isn't likable. He's actually downright creepy, obsessed with poor Victoria to the point of committing suicide to prove his love for her. That's not romantic; it's terrifying. Then he spends the whole book whining about this. He's ridiculous and awful.Second of all, the book is pretty poorly written. The timeline makes no real sense, at least on each of the days he "wakes up." Apparently it was supposed to be a full day, but with the way it's written it seems to be maybe from around 10-11am to mid-afternoon. There is no clear indications of time passing or what he's done with himself in the rest of the time. Does he stare at walls? Does he talk to people? Third of all, Victoria is essentially a stereotypical abused housewife, but not at all developed for the reader understand why she keeps staying with this terrifying asshole. She seems to have no agency or will of her own until the "real" Jeremy (also an asshole) forces her into doing things, though at first he's just trying to manipulate her into staying with him.Terrible, terrible book. At least it's short and a fast read, I guess.
What do You think about J'aurais Préféré Vivre (2007)?
Interesting read. It was good but I think it must have lost a little in the translation.
—kuheli
Interesting concept which could have been better developed. Overall a good quick read.
—archie
Started off slow but by the time I finished this I was impressed. Very good!
—Mahafarhoud
