Book Review: What Does it Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella

From the moment I picked up What Does it Feel Like?, I knew I was in for an emotional journey. Sophie Kinsella, known for her wit and charm, takes a deeply personal turn in this novella, and I was captivated from the first page.

The story follows Eve, a successful novelist who wakes up in a hospital bed after a life-altering diagnosis. As she grapples with her new reality, Kinsella’s poignant writing struck a chord in me. The blend of humor and heartache felt incredibly authentic, reminding me of the precious moments we often take for granted.

Eve’s recollections—long walks with her husband and the joy of family game nights—pulled at my heartstrings. Each anecdote was a gem, perfectly crafted to explore the complexities of love, loss, and what truly matters in life. I found myself both laughing and crying, reflecting on my own experiences along the way.

What surprised me most was how Kinsella's signature style still shone through, even in such a serious context. There’s a warmth and lightness in her prose that balances the weight of the subject matter beautifully. It felt like a celebration of life, filled with hope amidst the shadows of grief.

This novella is not just a story; it’s an exploration of resilience and love. Kinsella’s vulnerability in sharing Eve’s journey adds layers of depth that linger long after reading. I closed the book feeling uplifted and inspired, a testament to her remarkable talent.

If you’re looking for a read that will challenge you emotionally while still offering the warmth of Kinsella’s storytelling, this book is a must-read. It’s a treasure that reminded me of the importance of cherishing every moment, making it a perfect addition to my bookshelf.

What a fantastic book, not the subject but the way it is written. Made me feel as if I was there with Eve and her family.
Such a hard subject, especially knowing it's mainly autobiographical.
So happy for the positives.

This was a fabulous semi autobiographical novella which explains the reality of living with a brain tumour and the impact it has physically, mentally and emotionally. This is told in a different style to Sophie Kinsella’s previous novels but it still contains her warmth and humour in amongst the devastation, It’s frank and fearless and touches on key moments of novelist Eve’s life before the tumour then from waking up after surgery to remove it and beyond. The chapters are fairly short but offer great insight and the references to how she must always write a happy ending were so bitter sweet.

After reading the book description there was never any doubt that it was going to be an emotional read. But I wasnt prepared for just how amazing and inspiring it would be. I giggled, laughed out loud and cried.And I cant stop thinking how brave it was for Sophie to have written this. Stay strong Sophie !
A million thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC

As soon as you start reading What Does it Feel Like? it feels like the dread of watching a tsunami slowly approach. You know that this book will be sad, but it's devastating. Sophie Kinsella's tight and emotional link to the story, (practically her own true-life story), is so apparent from her sway into a different type of narrative then we are used to from her, third person. It's a simple tale, made all the more noteworthy because of its barren and cutthroat perspective. There's no dilly-dallying over too much inner thought or feelings. There's a quote from the book, '"Would you ever try writing something different?" I answered, "Maybe I'll write a book with a sad ending."' and it killed me because it hurts to see one of your favourite writers scold you with reality.

"'Your readers love happy endings'" is another quote, and I hope all the same that this end is no different.

Wonderfully written in true Sophie style! Funny, emotional, warm, charming. I laughed and cried in equal measure. I'm so in awe of Sophie, both as a person and a writer. Read this and then hug your loved ones.