Barbara Isn't Dying

Locations
Call Number: Fiction / Bronsky, Alina, Adult Book / Fiction / General / Bronsky, Alina
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Malletts Creek Branch, Westgate Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Fiction / Bronsky, Alina	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / General / Bronsky, Alina	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / General / Bronsky, Alina	4-week checkout	On Shelf

Original title: Barbara stirbt nicht
"Walter Schmidt has lived his whole life within the narrow, 'comfortable' confines of traditional gender roles: he has made it to retirement without learning how to fry an egg or use a vacuum cleaner. After all, he could always count on his wife, Barbara. But when one morning she can't get up from bed anymore, everything changes. With biting humor and great warmth, Alina Bronsky writes about how Walter, nearing the end of his life, is suddenly forced to reinvent himself as a caregiver and house-husband, and become the caring partner he never was in all his years with Barbara. Little by little, Walter's rough facade begins to crumble--and with it his old certainties about his life and family" -- Provided by publisher.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Booklist Review
Summary / Annotation
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Herr Schmidt learns to cook submitted by hiker15 on July 9, 2023, 8:37pm The book was written in another language (probably German) and translated into English. Everyone else is referred to by their first name but Barbara's husband is always referred by the author as Herr Schmidt.

The story begins when Barbara falls in the bathroom, Herr Schmidt helps her into bed and she lies in bed and never does anything more in the house throughout the book (which lasts about 9 months, but you don't know for sure as the author doesn't state when it begins). Herr Schmidt is a self-proclaimed penny pincher so instead of ordering take-out, he learns to cook and does all the cooking. The book goes on and on and on and you never find out what is wrong with Barbara and you never find out what is in Herr Schmidt's head as the author never gives him dialogue to explain what is going on. I read this book to the bitter end to find out what is wrong with Barbara, what is the deal with their relationship, did they immigrate from Russia or somewhere else and why did that matter, etc - - and the book just ends without explaining anything. It just ends. I do NOT recommend this book.