He is an old fashioned liberal and decries the policies of the UK conservative government. Cyril is a doctor in Britain’s National Health Service, and is acutely conscious of the pressures that the care of old people puts on the service. The central plot is structured to facilitate the big issues. The stories explore how that plan might work out. Cyril proposes that they both kill themselves when Kay turns 80. When Kay’s father dies after a long illness, the couple discuss how they might avoid such a long undignified end that places a huge burden on family members doing the care work. The range of possibilities includes some science fiction scenarios. It explores different themes and ideas by replaying the last years of a married couple, Kay and Cyril, with different possible outcomes. It’s a philosophical work, and also manages to include the COVID-19 pandemic. Shriver’s new novel deals with old age and death.
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