Life Expectancy
An unexpected story, Life Expectancy by Alison Hughes was a 2023 highlight.
Sophie St. John is a sixteen year old girl with an extremely dysfunctional family. From her horrific grandmother, who also happens to be a famous author, to her parent’s cold and convenient care for her, she is desperate for something different. When she finds out a life altering secret that has been withheld from her since birth, she sets a new course for herself and her life.
When reading the synopsis of this book, I had a certain expectation. I figured it would be an entertaining story, I would learn a few things and enjoy a relatively light read. I was completely wrong. Alison Hughes has crafted a narrative so deeply excruciating and beautiful it defied my initial expectations. I will not spoil the story as it is one that you absolutely must read.
Sophie St. John, this story’s protagonist, written in the third person, is complex and totally unexpected. She is not your typical protagonist. She has so many layers that continue to be peeled back as the story reveals itself. I constantly found myself asking why? Why did she act that way? Why is she in the Opportunity Class in school? Why, why, why? It led to wanting to know more and more of Sophie’s story and trouble putting the story away after the reading was done for the day.
Life Expectancy is quite a profound story about family, friendships and how life, whether short or long, is unexpected. It’s also an interesting take on disability and the narratives around how able bodied people perceive disability; how those who are disabled are treated in a society not built for them to fully realize their potential and gifts many times.
I definitely appreciated the epilogue at the end of the book. Sophie is a character that deserves an epilogue. One that ends on a note of hope for the reader, otherwise this story would be too huge of a tragedy to bear. It’s a story for readers facing life altering changes, to know that they can live life on their terms and decide their own fate.
