Lakewood Book Club: Mrs. Death Misses Death

Join us for the first meeting of the Lakewood Book Club, which is part of our Learn @ Lakewood series!

The books will vary in style and perspective, and may cover anything from living in the presence of death and dying, to local history or cemetery history. Get ready to learn and connect with our amazing community at this special event. Treats and coffee will be provided!

Registration is required – spaces are limited.

You will need to purchase your own copies of the books (or audio books) and read through them ahead of the event. We encourage shopping locally and buying your books through our neighbors at Magers and Quinn or other local sellers like Paperback Exchange, or The Irreverent Bookworm.

Depending on the number of attendees, we will either have a large group discussion or break out into smaller groups. Discussion questions and topics will be provided to spark conversation, but we encourage you to bring your own questions as well!

About This Month’s Book

Mrs Death Misses Death by Salena Godden

Mrs Death has had enough. She is exhausted from spending eternity doing her job and now she seeks someone to unburden her conscience to. Wolf Willeford, a troubled young writer, is well acquainted with death, but until now hadn’t met Death in person – a black, working-class woman who shape-shifts and does her work unseen. Enthralled by her stories, Wolf becomes Mrs Death’s scribe, and begins to write her memoirs. Using their desk as a vessel and conduit, Wolf travels across time and place with Mrs Death to witness deaths of past and present and discuss what the future holds for humanity. As the two reflect on the losses they have experienced – or, in the case of Mrs Death, facilitated – their friendship grows into a surprising affirmation of hope, resilience and love. All the while, despite her world-weariness, Death must continue to hold humans’ fates in her hands, appearing in our lives when we least expect her.